ABSTRACT
In just a few decades, women’s roles and statuses in Brunei have undergone a tremendous change. From traditional homemakers to entrepreneurs, to high government officials and voluntary activists, Bruneian women are increasingly visible and influential in the professional and public realms. Many of them are erudite and active contributors to the country’s economy. Many still are empowered and possess a high degree of autonomy over their own lives. To some, this observation may run contrary to wider stereotypical representations of female Muslim identity in general, and perhaps in more popular imaginations of Bruneian women in particular. Yet the Malay Islamic monarchy as a guiding national philosophy has never stifled women’s ability to self-determine and actualise their full potential within and outside of the country. This chapter provides an overview of the various dimensions of women’s empowerment in Brunei, particularly focusing on the factors that have enabled women’s increasing levels of education and continued participation in the labour force. Bruneian women’s transformative journey over the years cannot be spoken of without acknowledging the positive impact of intentional, deliberate government policies, on the one hand, and societal attitudinal change, on the other. The impact of social policies and gender-aware programmes such as inclusive education, old age pensions, and adequate maternity leave, coupled with improvements in the maternal and reproductive health of women, have unequivocally contributed to the favourable outcomes desirable for women intending to progress in their careers and personal lives. This chapter also discusses contemporary issues faced by women in Brunei and draws upon extant literature, which will be presented from a life-course perspective. The government’s continuing investments in the socioeconomic development of its citizens, along with a firm commitment to protect the rights of women, are discussed within the contexts of the nation’s socio-political environment, as well as the challenges brought about by globalisation and technological advancements.
