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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol. 38, No. 18. July 23rd 1975

Economic

Economic

In the early years women were the invisible economic basis of society. Their functions were restricted to:
a)biological reproduction,
b)education and care of children, the sick and the elderly, and
c)the production of labour power which is consumed daily i.e. housework. They are expelled from the economic universe where surplus is produced. They were made to be dependent on men economically.

Within the coming of the industrial revolution and the need for massive and cheap labour, women were drawn into the industrial universe. Their wages were even lower than the cheap labour wages of their male counterparts. This was the first time that women became a visible, economically active force in society.

Today, the capitalists favour the idea of employing female workers. Does it mean that they have treated women as equal? The answer is obvious. They understand that women are a more easily exploitable class. The feelings of inferiority that are implanted deeply in working women make them accept this form of unequal wage system. Although many government departments practise an 'equal work' - 'equal pay system most private firms still persist on the old policy of paying women less, although their work and efficiency of work is parallel to that of the men. We would like to question: Why does the government allow such a policy to persist?

The job opportunity seems to be equal for everybody. Yet investigations show that few married women are employed.

The struggle for women's liberation, in Singapore as around the world, is bound up with the wider struggles for independene and freedom.

The struggle for women's liberation, in Singapore as around the world, is bound up with the wider struggles for independene and freedom.

Such policies bar women from becoming economically independent and are thus easily suppressed by their husbands at home.

In higher-paid jobs, we can also see the existence of unequal job opportunity. The fact that more girls study accountancy and less girls study engineering reflects the selective employment in higher society. Many girls are capable and interested in studying engineering, yet they refrain from this course. The reason is clear; many firms prefer to employ male rather than female engineers.

Within engineering itself, we can see yet another difference:
1974-75
Total Female Male
Chemical 90 5 85
Mechanical 70 0 70
Industrial 30 1 29
Electrical 60 6 54

The fact that there are so few female undergrads in C.E. and M.E. reflects the unequal job opportunity resulting in girls choosing the course which opens up job opportunities to them when they graduate.

Until recently, women were not allowed to vote in general elections. The fight of women for a right to vote and to determine the form of government of their countries won the support of male counterparts in the early 20th century. Nevertheless, there are still traditional social bonds barring women from participating in politics of their countries.

Juliet Chin (right) and another inmate at Kamunting Prison, where she is being detained without trial.

Juliet Chin (right) and another inmate at Kamunting Prison, where she is being detained without trial.

Despite the setbacks, women today are coming up to play their role in the politics of their country. Working women and even domestic housewives go on strike to fight for women's rights, their workers union, and against war. More female students stand up to speak for justice and fight for a better society in student movements. An example is Juliet Chin. Juliet is not unusual The main difference between her and most of us is the extent of her concern for less privileged people. Where most girls, on seeing poor or handicapped people, sigh "the poor thing...," Juliet goes out of her way to do something constructive. In her deep concern for them, Juliet is in fact more human, more womanly more feminine than our learnt graces and shyness, slender skirts and translucent make-up combined.

Due to our subversive system, few women like to join the army into defending their country. But in countries like Vietnam, women took part in the armed struggle against U.S. imperialism. The practical work done by them consisted of running of the public services by replacing the men called up at the front Assuming responsibility for family affairs so that husbands and even grown-up children could join the lighting services without having to worry, and lastly if the need arose, to go and serve the front. This movement forcefully challenged feudal ideas of contempt for women and increased their say a major step towards emancipation. It consolidated the political consciousness and social position of women.