A 2019 study by Khazanah Research Institute shows that Malaysian women spend far more time than men on unpaid care work, even while clocking similar hours in paid jobs. Its recently launched Single Parent Welfare Support programme offers monthly incentives of up to RM500 to high-performing single-parent employees. Understanding financial strainAs a single parent of a 10-year-old child, managing time and finances can often be a challenge, says Normah, one of the beneficiaries of the initiative.One of the recipients, Normah Kasim, a 47-year-old single mother from Kuala Lumpur, says that as a single parent of a 10-year-old child, managing time and finances is often a challenge. Data from UN Women reveals that women and girls do 16 billion hours of unpaid care work daily - powering families, communities, and economies. "Workplaces and communities need to recognise unpaid care labour, offer flexibility and provide meaningful support," Tan concludes.

Source: The Star January 28, 2026 12:01 UTC