Written by Clare Chong

An #ActionForHer campaign was launched at the People’s Action Party (PAP)’s yearly Women’s Wing Conference on Sept 18 to call on Singaporeans to take action and pledge support for women here. A paper on improving women’s development to target gender equality will also culminate in a White Paper in 2022.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong later delivered remarks to call for more support and equal opportunities for women in the workplace.

Modernising societal attitudes towards women
PM Lee said that women “should have equal opportunities to prove themselves and reach their fullest potential” and that they should be protected “better against discrimination or unfair treatment at the workplace”.
 

In the workplace, women still face preconceived roles, notions and stereotypes. For example, if women are too firm, they are disliked for being overly bossy; if they are too gentle, they get bulldozed by their male counterparts.
 

A survey also reported that women in dual-income families were 5 times more likely than men to carry the load of housework and caregiving duties while 4 times more likely to have quit their jobs for caregiving as compared to men. Caregivers also find it more challenging to build up their retirement savings, which leave them in very vulnerable positions.
 

Women also worry that career breaks are taken for caregiving subject them to discrimination when they are looking for jobs, as noted by the co-founder of a networking and career advice group for women in healthcare and life sciences. Hiring managers may also consider such candidates as out of touch--a mindset that needs to evolve in order not to negatively influence the hiring process.

Initiatives to level the playing field for Women
A big move would be the formalisation of the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices into law.
 

Childcare arrangements could also be improved to make them more affordable and accessible while employers could provide more flexible work arrangements. Women who need help returning to the workforce could also be supported by the companies giving them chances to learn the required job skills.
 

Employers should also promote a cultural shift from within the organisation where they recognise and appreciate the contributions of female employees. This would benefit the employers as they could retain talents rather than going through the process of hiring and retraining.
 

Other suggestions for workplace quality as put forth by a former MP Ho Cheok Choo were;

(i)  using data to track and analyze the statistics of women being hired, promoted or leaving in the workforce;

(ii) encouraging men to appreciate the merits of women better and

(iii) encouraging females to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
 

What do you think are other initiatives that can be put in place to encourage equal opportunities and support for women in the workforce?