Since the beginning of the pandemic last year, many South Asian women in Toronto have either taken their small businesses online or launched new ventures. Most of these businesses are informal and operated exclusively by women. I spoke to several Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs, who told me how their online businesses helped them meet their own needs and assist their families both in Canada and back home.
“By importing products from home and selling them in Toronto, I am serving as a conduit between the supply and the demand, while supporting the economically-hit manufacturers [in South Asia],” said Anita, a professionally-qualified Indian woman, who sells a variety of items on line including home decorations and fashion jewellery. Although Anita had a keen interest in entrepreneurship, she could only start her online business during the pandemic, when her hours at her day job were reduced by her employer.
Visible minorities in Canada were strongly hit by unemployment and underemployment during the pandemic. In the face of such adversities, South Asian women are demonstrating notable resilience.
