QUO VADIS

Dr Hena Mukherjee shared several meaningful insights regarding the most practical way forward for Bengali women in Malaysia, despite the hurdles and constraints encountered. 1) Increased knowledge and better understanding of this (littleknown) Bengali community in Malaysia is required. 2) While it has spawned well qualified and focused women at work, Bengalis need to understand the importance of visibility and improve their profiles by volunteering for committees at work and increased participation in the decision making process. Women need to understand the importance of visibility and work on uplifting their profiles by volunteering for committees at work, increase profile in decision-making processes and overall increase levels of participation; 3) Acquire better understanding of institutional and governance structures in order to make them work for women and work towards increased acceptance of suggestions and proposals; 4) Access mentors where necessary

and available; 5) Provide mentoring for the younger generations when required and become their role models. 6) Bengali women should not become apprehensive about glass-ceilings but be determined to experience a graceful ascent based on choice, character, commitment, creativity and circumstances. 7) Considering the: Bengali focus on achievement, academic degrees, technical and professional skills etc, and that most students/trainees are self-sponsored implying low unit costs for investment