KUCHING: Since its formation in 1999, Sarawak Single Mothers’ Association (PITSA) now has 14,000 members and 49 branches in the state.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Welfare, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah told reporters this after receiving a visit from PITSA members yesterday.
“In PITSA, about 56 percent of its members are women who are divorced or widowed.
“Divorced women join the association to get help.
“Among the members are those who earn less than RM1,000 a month and some have no sources of income because they are not working,” she added.
Fatimah said most single mothers joined the association to improve their financial position and welfare.
“My ministry strongly supports the efforts made by the association to assist its members.
“The association also trains members to become micro-entrepreneurs. A survey carried out revealed that many members wanted to be independent and work from home,” she added.
Fatimah, who is also PITSA Advisor, added that the association members were encouraged to participate in skills courses organised by the Sarawak Women and Family Department (SWFD).
Also present at the press conference were the Director of SWFD, Noriah Haji Ahmad, President of PITSA, Hajah Salmah Haji Ibrahim and several members of the association.
