Why Sarawak Women find it difficult to join NGOs?

This study is to understand the factors hindering women's social participation in NGOs. This qualitative study invited the participants to describe what factors inhibited women's involvement in NGOs. In particular response to the nature of women's social participation in Sarawak, the researchers highlighted long and critical answers and discussions as put forth by 36 selected participants from various NGOs in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is important to emphasize on their discussions as it provided the understanding of the barrier towards women's social participation in NGOs. There were four categories of obstacles being identified in this study. The factors namely practical deterrent, psychological barrier, discrimination and prejudice, and lack of resources. The inhibiting factors which were grouped in these four categories comprised of 16 factors. It is hoped that this study will help the stakeholders to come out with different strategies in assisting women to be more aware and active in civil based society. Keywords: NGOs, Social Participation, inhibiting