Normalizing digital business during Covid-19 to empower women with physical disabilities: some achievements

• Main Authors: Hasbullah, Puteri Haslin Dyana, Mohamad Diah, Nurazzura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zes Rokman Resources 2022
• Subjects: HQ1101 Women. Feminism; HQ2035 Life skills. Coping skills. Everyday living skills; HF5475.I74 Halal business, entrepreneur, marketing, management, and administration; HM1176 Social influence. Social pressure; HM711 Groups and organizations; HM831 Social change; HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; HT Communities. Classes. Races
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/97678/1/97678_Normalizing%20digital%20business%20during%20Covid-19.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/97678/; https://www.ijcwed.com/issue/international-journal-for-studies-on-children-women-elderly-and-persons-with-disabilities-vol-15-january-2022/

The creation of digital business during COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way business functioned and organized. Digital transformation during this time has somehow paved the path for entrepreneurs to rely on digital platform and information technology (IT) in the pursuit of entrepreneurial prospects. Among the vulnerable groups, especially women with physical disabilities, the chances to improve daily income through online platform has created career opportunities pursuit and helped them grow as a person. This paper attempts to describe the achievements of women with physical disabilities who have engaged in online businesses during the surge of the global pandemic. Qualitative approach has been employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to solicit information from 10 women with physical disabilities who already engage in online business for at least one year. These women were recruited via the purposive sampling technique. All data have been analyzed using the thematic analysis. This study revealed a range of achievements throughout the women’s business ventures. Data analysis illustrates that digital business nurtures their leadership skills, they become financially aware and most importantly, they debunk the misconceptions about persons with disabilities (PWDs). These findings portrayed that disabled women entrepreneurs faced sociocultural challenges with courage, they possessed entrepreneurial grit and sustain perseverance. No doubt, the productivity of women with physical disabilities in business during the pandemic has contributed significantly to the national economy. Asserting voice to empower the PWDs amidst COVID-19 pandemic should become an essence to raise awareness on their rights to engage in any social ventures. The impact of this study shows there is a huge transformation in the society today as we are living differently under the ‘new normal’. Thus, this paper suggest to expose the achievements of women with physical disabilities as an inspirations for others to challenge themselves and ready to be resourceful during crisis.