THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF THE GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Abstract

In Malaysia, women's studies and gender studies are new fields struggling to be accepted as legitimate academic fields equal to mainstream disciplines. The academic and intellectual validity of women's studies and gender studies was gradually recognized because of the research done by early feminists. Research and studies on women before the seventies were scarce but researchers who welcomed international changes achieved by the· global women's movement were prepared to work to localize the need to elevate the position of women in society. Public universities were also urged to look into ways of contributing towards uplifting the status of women. The article outlines the history of the institutionalization of gender studies and its profile since its inception at the University of Malaya.