What women want?

On International Women’s Day last Thursday, we asked our women readers to share with us what is important to them by replying to five questions. For the past week, you have emailed us your replies, and shared your priorities, aspirations and dreams with us. We wish we could publish all the replies, but we have space constraints. So, we have selected replies that represent the stories of the Malaysian women, and reflect the diversity of the challenges they face, which we’ll publish till Sunday.

And of course we have gifts for women whose replies we published. This is not a contest, and the gifts are given out in the spirit of making someone’s day. Enjoy them!

Kulsanofer Syed Thajudeen, 38, mother of four and homemaker, Petaling Jaya

1. What makes you happy?

That my life has a purpose – being a mother to my children is my raison d’etre. There are times when dealing with children can be a great trial, but when I watch them do the right thing without being told, I know I have raised them well.

2. What is most important to you?

The freedom to choose how I live and not be dictated by anyone. Too many women have suffered due to circumstances and cultures that do not respect women’s rights. As a Muslim woman who understands Syariah law, I know my rights as a daughter and a wife. In Islam, the wife has a right to her own home, to own property, to educate herself and to earn her own income. I strongly believe in empowering women so that she would be able to fend for herself and her children if the need arises and not be subject to oppression. Freedom is for all.

3. What was most important to you 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was a young professional working hard to climb the corporate ladder. I worked weekdays and studied during the weekends. I never stopped to smell the roses or spend time with my eldest child. Life was a bullet train with no stops.

4. What is on top of your bucket (wish) list?

To do a good job of raising my four children and not cause any psychological scars to any of them! So top of my list is to wish that my children would turn out to be exceptional individuals who would contribute to society, be considerate and kind to all.

5. I want ...

To be able to look back and see a life well-lived. You try to play the different roles to the best of your ability and then move on. You may not be able to satisfy everyone along the way, but you can be true to yourself and stick to what you believe in. At the end of the day, you can be content and at peace with yourself.