Gender Equality or Inequality: Where Do Malaysian Sikh Women Stand in Their Community?

Abstract

Gender relations of the Malaysian Sikh community are strongly influenced by gender ideology. Understanding gender ideology, as perceived by the Sikhs, influences how gender equality is practised in various aspects of life. Sikh religion originated from the Indian state of Punjab. Punjabi society is heterogeneous in terms of religion, region, class, caste and gender lines, and is a patriarchal society. In Punjab, male-dominant ideology is the norm of society and is very visible in day-to-day living practices. It is also evident among the Sikh diaspora in Malaysia that is a minority community in the country. The diversity of Malaysian culture adds to the complexity of the gender ideology understanding and its practice in terms of gender relations among Sikh men and women. Gender (in)equality is also influenced by the religious and cultural ideology that is rooted in the Sikh religion. In practice, gender equality between Sikh men and women in Malaysia is a debatable issue. Therefore, this theoretical and conceptual chapter discusses the issue of gender inequality among the Sikhs of Malaysia today. The discussion is framed by the Intersectional Sikhism framework that examined women at the intersection of sexism oppression and the identity construction approach. It is particularly necessary to examine and deliberate to what extent gender equality is advocated and practised in the Malaysian Sikh community. This chapter concludes with recommendations to improve gender equality in the social and economic domains of the Malaysian Sikh community.KeywordsGender ideologyGender (in)equalityIntersectional SikhismMalaysian Sikh women