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Celebrating SG Women

Update on Progress

March 2023 marks a year since the release of the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development. There has been significant progress since, even as we work towards achieving more milestones over the next few years.

Equal opportunities in the workplaceInterim recommendations by the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness were released.
Greater recognition and support for caregiversThe Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund and the Enhanced Home Caregiving Grant were expanded to further reduce the financial strain of caregiving and encourage care in the community. A two-year pilot programme was launched to expand the Household Services Scheme, which includes basic child-minding and elder-minding services, to ease caregivers' load.
Protection against violence and harm
  • [Online Harms] The Alliances for Action to tackle online harms and the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act was passed.
  • [Family Violence] Some of the recommendations by the Taskforce on Family Violence (FVTF) were implemented, including:
    • Expanding the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH),
    • Deploying psychologists to support Protection Specialist Centres (PSCs) in helping survivors, and
    • Launching the Family Violence Emergency Response Team (ERT) on to respond jointly with the Police to domestic violence cases with immediate safety risks.

Equal opportunities in the workplaceNew workplace fairness legislation to address workplace discrimination will be introduced.
Greater recognition and support for caregiversCommunity-based peer support networks for caregivers will be formed, and 10,000 more full-day preschool places will be created.
Protection against violence and harmThe Women's Charter will be amended in mid-2023 to provide stronger protection for survivors.


Community partners play a key role in implementing the action plans in the White Paper, and to further women's development. They include:

  • Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), a key partner in organising public conversations, which contributed rich insights to the White Paper and several action plans, such as the upcoming public garden to honour and celebrate the pioneering spirit for Singapore women. SCWO has also set up the Star Shelter and Maintenance Support Centre, which provides support, assistance and programmes for survivors of violence.

  • United Women Singapore (UWS), which aims to foster mindset shifts through education, raising awareness and advocating issues such as anti-violence and women's empowerment. Their programmes include the Boys Empowered Programme, Girls2Pioneers Programme, and the Girls Empowered Programme.

  • Centre For Fathering (CFF), which promotes active fathering and partnership in marriage through a suite of initiatives, such as DADs for Life.

Quotes

"To achieve equality, we must first embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. Equality is a vision that can and must be ingrained, and these action plans will pave the way to improve the status of women in Singapore."

Junie Foo, President
Singapore Council of Women's Organisation

"It is important to facilitate frank conversations amongst fathers to surface these issues explicitly and share experiences and tips. Such efforts can help to engender mindset shifts."

Bryan Tan, CEO
Centre for Fathering and Dads for Life


Group Photo at Focus Group Discussion and Workshop for The Future Garden for Singapore Women
Focus group discussion and workshop for The Future Garden for Singapore Women, organised by the National Parks Board (NParks), in partnership with Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).