THE second movement-control order has had a financial and mental impact on low-income women running small businesses, a survey by non-profit organisation Women of Will (WoW) has found.

The survey polled 326 women in 14 PPR housing schemes in the Klang Valley.

WoW chief operating officer Lakshwin Muruga told The Malaysian Insight half of the respondents earned RM500 monthly and 87% reported a decrease in their income due to prolonged closure of businesses.
 
About 72% of them reported feeling stressed because of the financial strain and 73% said they had less than RM1,000 savings to last them 20 days before they needed aid.

MCO 2.0 was introduced on January 13 in Penang, Selangor, Malacca, Johor, Sabah and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya) after a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The MCO was recently eased, entering the conditional phase in Selangor, Johor and the FTs, following a drop in daily cases.

The CMCO has since been extended to other states. Slated to end on March 18, it has been extended until March 31. It is effective in. Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, and Sarawak.

While MCO 2.0 did not last very long, the effects were still felt by the survey respondents.

Lakshwin said 89% reported that they were worried about being infected by the coronavirus.

“Fifty-two percent of the respondents said they were feeling stressed about their children’s education with most of them complaining about weak internet connections that affects online classes,” he said.

“Meanwhile, 46% reported that they lacked essential items during the lockdown period; some complained about running out of food during quarantine.”

WoW has conducted workshops offering psychosocial support to the women, teaching them to manage stressful situations as well as financial difficulties.

Lakshwin said when asked about the skills they wished to acquire in order to grow their businesses, 81% asked for lessons in baking, cooking, nutritional awareness, and sewing.

He said 62% asked to learn marketing, e-commerce, and social media management while 52% wished to learn more about finance, accountancy and saving plans.

WoW also provides the women with food aid, business capital as well as financial advice and support.

To donate, go to www.womenofwill.org.my. – March 22, 2021.