Anis Farhana Amran
Research Associate
Anis is a Research Associate at PNBRI. Her research interests lie in education equity and gender inequalities, particularly how structural barriers intersect to shape access to opportunity. She is especially interested in how these dynamics influence education-to-labour market transitions and broader questions of inclusive development. She holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Southampton. Anis aspires to contribute towards a Malaysia that nurtures and uplifts diverse talents, paving the way for all to realise their potential.
[email protected]Abstract
Public discourse on the gender gap in employment and economic inclusion often centres on motherhood and caregiving, with women’s disproportionate share of domestic responsibilities frequently cited as the main barrier to workforce participation. According to the Labour Force Survey Report 2023, 62% of women outside the labour force reported “housework or family responsibilities” as the reason for not seeking employment, compared to just 4% of men.
While these factors are undoubtedly significant, this article shifts the lens upstream to examine whether gender disparities already exist prior to the typical age of marriage and motherhood. Drawing on data from the Labour Force Survey, Salaries and Wages Survey, and Graduates Tracer Study, the analysis reveals that gender gaps are indeed present at the point of entry into the labour market. Women encounter lower labour force participation rates, higher unemployment, and lower earnings during the early stages of their careers, pointing to structural and institutional barriers that extend beyond caregiving responsibilities.
The article also examines the persistent concentration of women graduates in specific fields, particularly education and healthcare, which mirrors and likely reinforces occupational segregation in the labour market. Together, these findings highlight the need to address upstream inequalities that shape women’s economic outcomes long before motherhood becomes a factor.