The PAP Women’s Wing (WW) got together over the past three months to thrash out issues involving their perspectives, aspirations and how they could further contribute towards nation-building.
Their findings and recommendations were shared with members.
The WW project, involving some 120 women of all ages and diverse backgrounds, complements the nation-wide SGfuture conversation series, and focuses on the following four areas:
- Leadership and Social Impact
- Employment and Entrepreneurship
- Family and Caregiving
- Financial Well-being
WW shared the outcome of the discussions, in a position paper titled SGfuture: Women’s Perspectives and Aspirations and six key recommendations for the Government’s consideration with some 400 WW members at its Annual Conference on Saturday, 16 July 2016,
The recommendations are:
- Leveraging on the SkillsFuture package for Back-to-Work Women
- Developing Industry-Specific Flexi Working Arrangements (FWAs)
- Strengthening Diversity in Corporate Leadership
- Support Caregiving through a holistic approach
- Promoting Financial Literacy and Retirement Adequacy
- Having Smart Women for a Smart Nation
In her opening address, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Chairperson of the Women’s Wing, Ms Grace Fu said: “We want to understand your needs and aspirations better, and to advance the interests of women in Singapore through advocacy. This must be an on-going process to keep ourselves connected and relevant so that we can formulate better policies for the good of women in Singapore,” she said.
She also commented that the WW activists are “hearts of the branches” and part of a unique networks, such as void deck aunties and parent support groups.
Ms Fu also urged “women to step up and participate actively in nation building.” She noted that the SGfuture engagements have allowed the women MPs and activists to connect with women from all walks of life.
During the question-and-answer session, participants gave their views on the position paper and highlighted additional areas which can be further explored, such as caring for special needs child and employment support for single parents.
Fellow women MPs, Ms Tin Pei Ling, Ms Sun Xue Ling and Ms Cheryl Chan, also agreed that today’s women are looking to carve a niche for themselves.
Sharing her closing remarks at the end of the conference, WW Vice Chairman (Outreach) Ms Indranee Rajah said, “We, as the Women’s Wing of the PAP, have a voice and have a contribution to make. In this advocacy paper, we are advocating certain positions that we would like to put forward to the Government to consider. This is all drawn from feedback and discussions with women from all walks of life. It is about making sure that all segments of our society are reached out to, are represented, so that Singapore is a place for everyone. This is the purpose of this conference and this paper.”
Click here to read the executive summary of the position paper, SGfuture: Women’s Perspectives and Aspirations.
