Inequality in the Air: The Case of Malaysian Women Pilots

While other industries, such as medical field or law enforcement, have marked an improvement in female representation, however, women occupy a weak structural position in aviation. Despite of the rising interest from women to work in so-called male-dominated field, the aviation sector is still owing to many reasons that contribute to this imbalance. In Malaysia, the case of women pilots is particularly striking. Although women make up almost half of the population, they are severely under-represented in the aviation sector, particularly when it comes to taking the helm of an aircraft. This chapter addresses the challenges faced by the women pilot in Malaysia and proposes the mitigation initiatives. The lack of representation of women in this field can be attributed to a number of factors, including gender stereotyping, culture bias, employment opportunities, lack of support and access to funding, and lack of role model and recognition of their achievements. It also raises the continuing gender imbalance by making some relevant issues and challenges that women face pursuing career in the male-dominated industry more visible. Essential measures are important to ensure that female pilots in Malaysia are given the same opportunities and resources as their male counterparts. This can be achieved through the support of the industry such as affirmative action in the recruitment process, and through the government initiatives such as increasing the availability of financial aids for attending training and increase career development opportunities for female pilots.