Kuala Lampur, April 24 -- In her book Against Meritocracy: Culture, Power and the Myths of Mobility, sociologist Jo Littler critiques what she calls 'neoliberal feminism' - the idea that women can succeed in male-dominated spaces simply by working hard and being ambitious. Personalities like tech executive Sheryl Sandberg, known for the Lean In movement, embody this vision. But Littler argues that this perspective ignores systemic discrimination and disadvantages working-class women, women of certain ethnicity, disabled women and other marginalised groups.

Littler was also of the opinion that mainstream media and, I would add, corporate culture only celebrate "exceptional" or high-achieving women who succeed despite obstacles, reinforcin...