PETALING JAYA: After years of being in charge of their homes, homemakers need assistance to polish their skills when they decide to return to the workforce.
To prepare homemakers, Persatuan Suri Rumah Rahmah (SRR) is working to empower them with skills and confidence.
SRR vice-president Siti Suzilah Saini said many members, aged 25 to 45, became full-time homemakers due to family commitments, often caring for both children and elderly parents.
“Most of our members are highly educated but have had to put their careers on hold.
“It is important to ensure they do not lose their talent. The path we currently pursue is our responsibility but it gets lonely.
“SRR helps them refresh skills, network with peers and step out of their comfort zones so they can gradually return to work or start small businesses,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Statistics Department (DOSM) data as of January 2025 shows about three million out of 4.8 million women in total left work mainly to tend to the home.
Khazanah Research Institute’s (KRI) latest study, “Interwoven Pathways: The Care and Career Conundrum in Women’s Empowerment”, found that homemakers expressed a desire to work for pay, often through self-employment for its flexibility.
The KRI study also showed that nearly nine in 10 housewives rely entirely on their husbands for financial support – leaving them vulnerable to separation, widowhood or sudden income loss.
SRR, with more than 1,000 members nationwide, organises training sessions on marketing, copywriting and small enterprise basics, as well as safety, health and social awareness.
Updates are shared via its website and social media.
While training fees are affordable, Siti Suzilah said SRR also provides daycare facilities during physical programmes to help mothers focus.
She stressed that government and employers must understand unpaid care realities and provide flexible arrangements to ease homemakers’ transition back into the labour market.
National Human Resource Organisation president Zarina Ismail said homemakers can gain financial independence through targeted training and confidence-building.
“We always look for ways to help, whether through capital or entrepreneur programmes.
“Many are not digitally savvy, so we teach them everything from explaining their products to posting pictures and selling on social media,” she said.
The main challenge, she added, is changing mindsets.
“Sometimes their confidence is low. They doubt themselves and fear failure, especially after already investing time and money.
“We start by building their confidence and guiding them according to their interests,” she said.
The organisation also offers skills training in baking, soap-making and tailoring, with flexible options such as online courses to suit busy schedules.
“They are busy during the day and tired at night, so training must fit into their lives. At least this way, they can earn some income to survive,” Zarina said.
She added that special women’s programmes also provide social interaction and career possibilities.
“They can start freelancing, and slowly, maybe one day, open their own shops. It all depends on their confidence and courage,” she said.
Universiti Malaya Gender Studies senior lecturer Dr Lai Suat Yan said societal expectations and weak support systems continue to push women into unpaid caregiving roles.
“Caregiving remains the main reason women become housewives because families and society still expect women to be caregivers, while men are seen as breadwinners.
“The lack of flexible work and childcare at workplaces worsens the situation,” she said.
She added that stereotypes of housewives as “not contributing” or having “a lot of free time” devalue their work.
“This affects self-esteem. Domestic and care work is work and should be recognised as an occupation, albeit unpaid,” she said.
To support financial independence, Lai called for investment in the care economy, longer paternity leave and flexible work.
“Sharing domestic and care work between men and women is key to dismantling the double burden women face.”
