By Yvonne Yoong

The air was filled with rarified excitement at the recent book launch of “To Have It All – Within The Changing World of Work, Economy & Society”.

The book, authored by respected sociologist and Womens right advocate Puan Sri Datin Paduka Prof Dr Jamilah Ariffin offers in-depth insights into her inner explorations on how modern women in Malaysia are faced with the dilemma of having to balance career, marriage, family and society’s expectations.

Besides her research findings, the book also features the stories of 20 accomplished Malaysian women from diverse sectors encompassing politics, medicine, law enforcement, research, fashion as well as business and academia.

In attendance to grace and launch the event was YAB Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail.

The book’s timely and thought-provoking insights into the dilemma faced by today’s women in terms of gender equality is not only confined to the local sphere but is relevant in terms of global efforts in the rising need for more inclusive policy-making as well as sustainable development in order to support the advancement of women in all sectors of society.

The book is Dr Jamillah’s 18th edition in a series that focusses on promoting the well-being of families and individuals across the Asia Pacific region.

It is worthy to note that Dr Jamilah who began her career as a lecturer at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now University Puta Malaysia) later became a full professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaya in 1994.

Thereafter, she move to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, where she served as Senior Research Fellow and Head of Socio-Economic Research at Institut Sultan Iskandar.

She is also the founding President of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Families (APFAM) International, a UN-affiliated NGO (non-governmental organisation) established in 2002.