Childcare problems among reasons single mothers not returning to work

KUCHING: A study conducted by the Sarawak Women and Family Department has revealed that weakness in mastering information technology (IT) and childcare problems are the main factors that prevented single mothers in Sarawak from returning to work.

Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus said it was among the outcome of a study titled “An investigation into barriers for single mothers with tertiary education re-entry into workplace in urban Sarawak” conducted by the department in collaboration with the Swinburne University of Technology.

“Following the study, the department held several dialogue sessions which were attended by 533 single mothers statewide last year to give them confidence, willingness and interest to work besides fostering more openness and active participation in community programmes,” she told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.

Rosey was replying to an oral question from Datuk Sabastian Ting Chiew Yew (SUPP-Piasau) on measures taken by the government to help housewives and single mothers increase their income.

She said last year the ministry also organised an ICT basic skills course for 87 single mothers to encourage single mothers to venture into online entrepreneurship.

In line with the aspirations of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to develop digital economy as part of the state’s economic strategy, she said the department also introduced the “Women in Digital Enterpreneurship (WIDE) programme to help women entrepreneurs to start their own business.

She said the programme implemented through strategic cooperation between the department. NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) was attended by 33 participants from Sarawak. - Bernama