A division existed between the dominant Malay nationalist movement and the Malayan civil service. The latter represented the English-educated Malay elites, teachers, journalists and other graduates of Malay schools. Instead of a political path, many of these activists chose to address the issue on Malay women’s education on a social front.

Women’s associations before World War II were often founded by the wives of British administrators or by women of the local elites in contact with the British. However, organisations that championed women’s rights bloomed in the immediate post-war period. Although most of these associations had memberships of a communal nature, but they generally strived for the emancipation of all women.

Singapore has largely achieved parity in education between males and females today, but this was not really the case in early post-war Singapore. As we dedicate the year 2021 as the Year of Celebrating SG Women, let’s not forget that a century ago our women faced difficulties in many areas that we would take for granted today.