IPOH: The achievements of Malaysian women in various challenging professions today are something to be proud of, Raja Puan Besar Perak Tuanku Zara Salim said yesterday.

She said this showed that given the opportunity, Malaysian women had the ability to achieve excellence in various fields.

Speaking at an excellence awards ceremony at her alma mater SMK Convent Ipoh, she said, over a century ago, the women had restricted roles, more so in a country with a social-cultural environment based on Eastern customs and taboos.

"The responsibility of a woman was limited to being wife, mother or, if she was employed, the duties of a midwife, nurse, clerk, religious teacher (ustazah) or teacher.

"Among the Malay women, few became nurses, teachers and clerks. At the age of 17, many Malay women already had husbands and children."
On another issue, Tuanku Zara said schools were just one of the social entities tasked with educating the young.

She said the younger generation lives and grows in the context of a family, community and country, thus parents have an important role in shaping the future generation.