Southeast Asian Nations Hold Traditional Views on Wives’ Obedience

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Southeast Asian Nations Hold Traditional Views on Wives' Obedience

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A new global study has shed light on perceptions of gender roles, indicating that a significant number of people in Malaysia and Indonesia hold traditional views regarding a wife’s obedience to her husband. The survey, conducted by Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, found that 66% of Indonesian respondents and 60% of Malaysian respondents agreed that “a wife should always obey her husband.” These figures represent the highest agreement among the 29 countries included in the study.

The research, which surveyed over 23,000 individuals across nations like Singapore, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom, also found that 67% of Indonesians and 58% of Malaysians believe husbands should have the final say in major household decisions. The findings were released on March 5, 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

Experts suggest these attitudes reflect deep-rooted cultural norms, often intertwined with religious teachings in Indonesia and Malaysia. However, they also caution against overly simplistic interpretations, noting the complex gender dynamics within Southeast Asian societies. For instance, Malaysia’s *adat perpatih*, a customary system that emphasizes matrilineality, illustrates the nuanced nature of gender roles in the region.

In contrast, the survey also highlighted differing sentiments in Singapore, where 64% of respondents believe that efforts to achieve equal rights for women have “gone far enough.” This perception is notably higher than the global average of 52% who share this view across the 29 countries surveyed. A separate Ipsos study in Singapore from March 2024 indicated that 62% of Singaporeans felt that the country has gone far enough in giving women equal rights with men. This sentiment was more prevalent among men (68%) than women (55%).

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