(From left) Host Diyana Hashim, Tan, Puteri Marjan and Anita using the forum as a platform to push for better support for mothers. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Forum addresses mothers’ double duties, workplace needs to support their mental well-being
Life in the city can be taxing for both working mothers and stay-at-home mums, especially those handling the bulk of household chores.
This could be among the factors that affect mothers’ mental health, said Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (Miasa) founder and president Anita Abu Bakar.
“Do not be ashamed or afraid to talk to someone when you are feeling overwhelmed.
“Ask for help, receive help, have a support system, communicate your needs, engage with difficult conversations and take time for yourself,” said Anita, who personally has struggled with mental health issues.
She said this at a forum titled “Women’s Role in Society: Addressing Gender Bias, Double Burden and Mental Well-being in Malaysia” organised by leading self-service laundrette dobiQueen and held in KL Eco City, Kuala Lumpur.
Anita said organisations should also offer comfort rooms, breathing spaces, counselling and peer support to assist their staff, especially mothers, who are known to shoulder a heavy workload in the workplace and at home.
She emphasised the importance of support group sessions which enable those affected to exchange views and get peer support.
Khazanah Research Institute’s research associate Puteri Marjan Megat Muzafar, who was among the panellists, revealed that while 52% of women had tertiary level education, they represented only 37.7% of the paid labour force.
“In terms of skilled jobs, women represent half the number of professionals.
“However, women remain under-represented in leadership positions such as those of managers, making up just 25.4% of this group.”
She said women represented only 29% of technicians and associate professionals.
“Social norms influence gender outcomes, including economic participation.Traditional gender roles persist where men are seen as primary breadwinners and women are expected to be caregivers, leading to gender inequality.
“Compared to men, women are performing five times more in unpaid carer duties.
“From cleaning to meal preparation and more, these ‘unseen’ tasks are crucial to everyone’s daily lives.
“Yet, these contributions remain excluded from traditional economic measures,” said Puteri Marjan.
Meanwhile dobiQueen co-founder and executive director Nini Tan said 75% of her clients were women.
“Half of them are in full-time employment while the other half are homemakers,” she said.
“Despite women’s increasing contributions to the formal economy, we are still expected to manage household and care- giving responsibilities.
“Lack of support and flexibility in the workplace prevent many from fully participating in the labour force too.
“With only 25% of our client demographic being men, this indicates that a majority of women are the ones who take on most of the household chores such as laundry and cooking,” said Tan.
She said dobiQueen advocated sharing household responsibilities more equitably.
“This redistribution of chores eases stress, prevents burnout and fosters a more balanced lifestyle.
“We salute the majority of women who keep the household going.
“Our goal is to reduce household chores for working adults and give them back precious time for them to spend with family and friends,” she added.
