Migration of Indian Women to Malaya: Socio-Economic Status and Sense of Nationalism, 1900–1957

Abstract

This chapter aims to evaluate the migration and socio-economic status of Indian women in Malaya between 1900 and 1957. Rapid economic growth in Malaya under British rule led to an influx of immigrants from India and China. The presence of Indian women workers, although not as numerous as the males, can still be regarded as important in Malaya’s economic growth. Traditionally, Indian women were not allowed to go out to earn a living, especially in a foreign land. However, this situation changed due to unavoidable circumstances. Indian women were in an oppressed situation and various parties have taken the opportunity to exploit their position in this process of migration. Indian women were also marginalised in education, and healthcare, and were left behind in their personal and professional development. Focusing on the period 1900 to 1957, this study looks into the migration of Indian women into Malaya and their socio-economic position under the British rule. The struggle of Indian women during the Japanese occupation and their involvement in the Rani of Jhansi regiment and estate strikes will also be examined. Exposure to social activism and labour struggles taught them the importance of education and equal rights that led to the formation of self-help organisations to address the issues of intersectionality caused by gender and ethnicity and the enhancement of the status of Indian women in Malaysia.KeywordsExploitationIndianNationalismSocio-economyWomen