The Trend in Women Magazine in the 1980’s in Malaysia

Abstract

1980’s is the decade of development for women Malay magazine. Since the first modern Malay women magazine, Wanita, published in 1969, not less than ten other women magazines published to cater Malay readership in Malaysia. The orientation in content of these magazines has change rapidly, from as to serve the light reading materials to house-hold women to serve as the guide to the career of its readers. As such, the increasing number of these types of magazines has itself a manifestation of the development of Malay women in their daily life. While 1970’s is the decade of early modern development for women in gaining education, 1980’s is still a period of transition whereby women started to fill all strategic posts in job market traditionally related to men. It is only in 1990’s where their presence is felt in almost all areas of the careers. This development is represented in the women magazines published throughout the decades. This article will focus on the development of women Malay magazines in the decade of 1980’s, especially the trend and the history of several dominant magazines.

Keywords: women magazines; Malay magazines; editorial, printed media in Malaysia