Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis

This study focuses on understanding the level and awareness of gender equality concepts among civil servants in selected agencies under The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia (MWFCD). The paper is based on the findings made on a part of the study on knowledge of gender iss...

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Main Authors: Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira, Ahmad, Nobaya, Md Noor, Amna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2019
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/70574/1/11%20JSSH%28S%29-0970-2018.pdf
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author Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira
Ahmad, Nobaya
Md Noor, Amna
author_facet Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira
Ahmad, Nobaya
Md Noor, Amna
author_sort Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira
collection UPM
description This study focuses on understanding the level and awareness of gender equality concepts among civil servants in selected agencies under The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia (MWFCD). The paper is based on the findings made on a part of the study on knowledge of gender issues which was obtained through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) analysis. A total of 38 informants consisting of 15 officers from professional groups and 23 support groups of six government agencies were involved in the data collection process. The group division aimed to look at the differences in their views based on gender dissimilarity. The study found that most informants demonstrated moderate understanding on the meaning of gender but were able to distinguish between the concepts of 'gender' and 'sex' in terms of biological definition and social roles. Understanding level among the informants differs due to certain characteristics such as social background, service grade and the assigned department. In general, informants gave a high credential to the role and equal rights in between the sexes and showed great awareness on gender issues that arose. However, dissatisfaction related to men welfare issue was indicated by the male informants as they perceived that they were not enjoying the same privileges as women. Overall, the women's group informants among both professional and support staff showed a fair awareness of gender equality as compared to the men. In conclusion, informants in the study have demonstrated a good level of understanding and awareness on gender equality issues. However, some improvements in terms of training and practices are needed to ensure substantial execution of gender mainstreaming among all civil servants in Malaysia as recommended by "Corong Model" introduced by the research at the end of the study.
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spelling upm.eprints-705742019-08-20T00:47:45Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/70574/ Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira Ahmad, Nobaya Md Noor, Amna This study focuses on understanding the level and awareness of gender equality concepts among civil servants in selected agencies under The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia (MWFCD). The paper is based on the findings made on a part of the study on knowledge of gender issues which was obtained through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) analysis. A total of 38 informants consisting of 15 officers from professional groups and 23 support groups of six government agencies were involved in the data collection process. The group division aimed to look at the differences in their views based on gender dissimilarity. The study found that most informants demonstrated moderate understanding on the meaning of gender but were able to distinguish between the concepts of 'gender' and 'sex' in terms of biological definition and social roles. Understanding level among the informants differs due to certain characteristics such as social background, service grade and the assigned department. In general, informants gave a high credential to the role and equal rights in between the sexes and showed great awareness on gender issues that arose. However, dissatisfaction related to men welfare issue was indicated by the male informants as they perceived that they were not enjoying the same privileges as women. Overall, the women's group informants among both professional and support staff showed a fair awareness of gender equality as compared to the men. In conclusion, informants in the study have demonstrated a good level of understanding and awareness on gender equality issues. However, some improvements in terms of training and practices are needed to ensure substantial execution of gender mainstreaming among all civil servants in Malaysia as recommended by "Corong Model" introduced by the research at the end of the study. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2019 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/70574/1/11%20JSSH%28S%29-0970-2018.pdf Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira and Ahmad, Nobaya and Md Noor, Amna (2019) Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 27 (S1). pp. 157-174. ISSN 0128-7702; ESSN: 2231-8534 http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/Pertanika%20PAPERS/JSSH%20Vol.%2027%20(S1).%202019/11%20JSSH(S)-0970-2018.pdf
spellingShingle Wan Jaafar, Wan Munira
Ahmad, Nobaya
Md Noor, Amna
Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title_full Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title_fullStr Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title_full_unstemmed Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title_short Gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies: a qualitative analysis
title_sort gender understanding and awareness among employees in selected government agencies a qualitative analysis
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/70574/1/11%20JSSH%28S%29-0970-2018.pdf
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