This book is a sociological exploration of gender beliefs and capabilities of Malaysian Tamil women who are members of a community that have struggled with marginalisation and inequality. The work is a response to the scant impact of policies, programmes and assistance for this group, by the government, non-governmental agencies, and policymakers. In doing so, the book asks the following questions: (1) who are the Malaysian Tamil women, (2) do gender belief systems impose various barriers and limitations upon development and further impoverished communities, (3) how do their beliefs impact their capabilities, and (4) are there socioeconomic group differences. Based on the narratives compiled from two different socioeconomic groups from the author's fieldwork, the book shows how belief systems can be empowering, as well as disempowering.
