Kuala Lampur, March 7 -- Every year, International Women's Day rolls around with its usual mix of celebratory hashtags and corporate platitudes. And while Malaysia has seen its share of breakthroughs - like the historic appointment of Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat as the nation's first female Chief Justice - the reality for most women remains a gruelling fight for basic rights. Deep-rooted gender inequality and institutional biases still cast a long shadow over any progress made. The glass ceiling may have cracks, but it's far from shattered.

Mirage of progress

Yes, Malaysian women outnumber men in universities - a promising statistic that looks great on paper. But the pipeline from academia to leadership is clogged with systemic dis...