Single mums given $140,000

A total of RM359,860 ($140,000) has been channelled to 138 single mothers last year as capital for them to start businesses, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said in 2011, RM240,010 was distributed to 100 single mothers as capital.

"The ministry uses the productive welfare approach in enabling single mothers to increase their incomes for their families," she said in reply to a question by Senator S. Bagiam Ayem Perumal, who wanted to know what steps were taken to increase business opportunities for single mothers.

Azizah said from 2008 until last year, 2,949 single mothers joined the Single Mothers' Skills Incubator Programme (I-KIT) where they were taught entrepreneurship skills.

"The Akhiri Zaman Miskin (1Azam) programme and the AzamNiaga programme has benefited 1,650 single mothers by getting them involved in small businesses."