Addressing Gender Disparity in Public Universities of Malaysia: Challenges and Achievements

Abstract

Ensuring equal access to affordable higher education is a fundamental target of the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs to be achieved by 2030. Malaysia has committed to this target and introduced effective policies to accomplish the gaol as early as possible. This paper aimed to trace the effort made by Malaysian government in achieving gender parity. The paper used the most recent statistical data released by related higher education institutions. This coupled with the critical review and deep analysis of the documents and reports on higher education published in and out of Malaysia. The paper also employed both Gender Parity Index (GPI) and Gender Gap Global Index GGGI to measure gender parity. The findings showed that Malaysia has not only made efforts, but also achieved gender parity practically in public universities. The female gross enrolment ratio has jumped from only 10.7% in the 1950s to around (48%) of today. Despite this positive remark, gender stereotype is likely to continue taking other shapes and forms and still a room left for improvement.