Family & gender — Topics

11 Jan 2022

Gender Ratio of Long-Term Visit Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass Plus Holder and Proportion of These Passholders Employed in Singapore

Tin Pei Ling asked about the gender ratio of Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) and LTVP Plus holders and the proportion employed in Singapore.
As of November 2021, 70% of LTVP and LTVP Plus holders are female and 30% are male.
16% of all LTVP and LTVP Plus holders are employed in Singapore, but they require specific authorization like a Letter of Consent to work.

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11 Jan 2022

Proposal for Granting Upfront Remission of Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty to Married Couples with at least One Singapore Citizen Spouse Purchasing Replacement Private Residential Property

Chua Kheng Wee Louis proposed that married couples with at least one Singapore Citizen spouse buying a replacement private residential property should receive upfront remission of Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty, similar to the concession for HDB or Executive Condominium purchases.
Lawrence Wong explained that the government already provides a refund of ABSD for such couples if they sell their first property within six months after buying a replacement, supporting families with changing needs.
He noted that upfront ABSD remission is given for HDB or new EC purchases because these involve regulations requiring disposal of existing properties, which do not apply to private residential properties.

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11 Jan 2022

Data on Gender Diversity on Boards of Singapore Public Listed Companies

The government is committed to enhancing gender diversity on boards, with initiatives like the Council for Board Diversity promoting more women on boards of top listed companies, statutory boards, and public institutions.
As of June 2021, women held 18% of board seats in the top 100 listed companies, a significant increase from 7.5% in 2014, and efforts continue to expand the pipeline of board-ready women.
A 2019 survey showed 98% of companies used personal contacts for board appointments, while 17% used executive search firms, prompting ongoing outreach to nominating committees.
Since January 2022, SGX requires listed companies to disclose diversity policies, including gender diversity, to further encourage female representation.
The government will continue collaborating with stakeholders to reduce barriers and support more women in attaining board leadership roles.

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11 Jan 2022

Proportion of Female Students in STEM Courses and Plans to Enrol More of Them

In 2021, about 40% of students in STEM disciplines at Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning were female, and roughly one-third of employed residents in STEM jobs were women.
Top courses with high female enrolment include Early Childhood Education, Beauty and Wellness, and Speech and Language Therapy, while efforts in schools and IHLs—such as Applied Learning Programmes, national competitions, career guidance, and initiatives like Women@NTU and POWERS—aim to build interest in STEM and counter gender stereotypes.
The Ministry of Education and IHLs plan to continue working with partners to encourage female participation in STEM courses and careers, focusing on interest and aptitude rather than setting specific enrolment targets.

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11 Jan 2022

Statistics of Women Leaders in Technology and Innovation Sectors in Singapore

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked for statistics on women leaders in Singapore's tech and innovation sectors across mid-management, senior management, and board levels, as well as the Ministry's efforts to grow the women talent pipeline.
According to a 2020 report, women make up 41% of Singapore's tech workforce, higher than the global average of 28%, while women on boards of SGX-listed tech companies increased from 12% in 2019 to 14% in 2021.
The Ministry, through IMDA, has initiatives like the SG Women in Tech movement, MentorConnect programme, and the SG100 Women in Tech List to profile and support women in tech.
Companies such as Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, Razer, and Shopee have joined the SG Women in Tech Corporate Pledge, committing to fair hiring and support programmes, reaching over 120,000 people.
The government plans to review and expand these programmes to further support women's career aspirations and integrate them into the digital economy.

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11 Jan 2022

Rejections for Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme Applications due to Exceeding of Salary Limits

Mr Gerald Giam asked about the number of PPHS applications rejected since January 2019 for exceeding the $7,000 household income limit and whether HDB plans to increase the limit due to BTO delays.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that HDB has no plans to raise the income ceiling, which was set to prioritize lower-income families, and that 85 appeals from households above the limit were rejected from August to December 2021 due to no clear extenuating factors.
Households with high expenses for exceptional reasons, such as medical needs, may still approach HDB for case-by-case consideration on temporary housing needs.

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10 Jan 2022

Plans to Raise Awareness and Capture Female Talent Pool to Augment Workforce and Challenges Faced

The government supports workforce participation through flexible work arrangements, work-life harmony practices, and recognition under Tripartite Standards.
Efforts are being made to enhance preschool accessibility and affordability to enable parents, especially mothers, to work with peace of mind.
Programs like Career Trials and Career Conversion Programmes assist women in re-entering the workforce, alongside mentorship and training initiatives.
Tripartite Guidelines ensure fair recruitment and promotion based on merit, with plans to strengthen legal protections against discrimination.
Female employment rates have increased steadily due to collaborative efforts, though challenges like domestic responsibilities remain.

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10 Jan 2022

Reports of Workplace Grievances and Discrimination because of Increased Family Responsibilities and Caregiving Duties in Last Two Years

Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about data on workplace grievances and discrimination reports linked to increased family responsibilities and caregiving duties during the pandemic for the last two years, specifically how many involved women.
Minister Tan See Leng stated that the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices received an annual average of about 14 reports related to discrimination due to marital status and family responsibilities between 2020 and 2021, similar to the period from 2017 to 2019.
Of the reports in the last two years, approximately 80% were from women, a decrease from 95% between 2017 and 2019.
The response indicates that the number of reported cases did not significantly increase during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic years.
The proportion of reports from women dropped slightly, suggesting a broader demographic affected by these issues in recent years.

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10 Jan 2022

Data on Annual Leave Taken by Caregivers in Public Sector for Eldercare from 2015 to 2020 and Survey on Need for Eldercare Leave

Miss Rachel Ong asked about average annual leave days taken for eldercare by married and single public sector caregivers from 2015 to 2020, any surveys on eldercare leave needs, and comparative results against earlier surveys.
The Minister for Manpower replied that civil servants are not required to declare leave reasons, but are entitled to two days of Parent Care Leave, with average utilisation of 1.5 to two days per year among users and similar rates across marital statuses.
The Ministry of Manpower does not have survey data on eldercare leave needs, but a 2018 Ministry of Health focus group found working caregivers preferred flexible work arrangements (FWAs) over leave for greater flexibility and sustainability.
Employers offering formal FWAs regularly rose from 47% in 2014 to 53% in 2019 and nearly 80% in 2020, with continued efforts to entrench FWAs to help employees balance work and caregiving.

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10 Jan 2022

Reasons for Disallowing Singles to Purchase Resale Flats under Prime Location Public Housing Model

The PLH model aims to keep public housing in prime locations affordable and inclusive for Singaporeans by providing additional subsidies and ensuring resale prices remain accessible through prevailing BTO eligibility criteria.
Singles are disallowed from purchasing resale PLH flats to prioritize Singaporean families with larger households, though singles can form family units with parents or siblings to qualify for BTO and future resale PLH flats.
Singles aged 35 and above already have access to a wide range of housing options, including resale flats in prime locations and new 2-room Flexi flats, with support from housing grants.
The PLH model is new and will be reviewed over time to balance the needs of different population segments while maintaining affordability and priority for families.

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10 Jan 2022

Plans to Increase Density of Student Care Facilities and Issuance of Permits to Meet Potential Demand in New Estates

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether the Ministry will increase the density of student care facilities and the issuance of permits for private after-school care to meet potential demand in new estates like Sengkang and Punggol.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that student care centres do not require permits from MSF and that around 400 SCCs are registered, providing about 48,000 places, with overall enrolment below capacity in all towns.
The Ministry encouraged parents to use nearby SCCs if immediate places are unavailable and stated it works with MOE to monitor demand and facilitate capacity expansion where necessary.

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10 Jan 2022

Average Waiting Time for ECDA-Approved Infant Care Places and Plans to Increase Number

The Minister stated that waiting times for ECDA-approved infant care places range from a few weeks to a few months, with factors like centre preference and early registration affecting durations.
The government plans to add 1,000 new infant care places by the end of 2022 through anchor operators, focusing on areas with upcoming HDB developments.
Parents can search for available places via the Preschool Search Portal, though registration with individual centres is also an option.

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10 Jan 2022

Supply and Demand for Infant Care and Childcare Places in Sengkang in Past Five Years and New Ones Planned

Over the past five years in Sengkang, infant care places grew by over 80% (570 to 1,050) and childcare places by nearly 60% (7,700 to 12,200), outpacing national growth rates, with average enrolment rates at about 68% and 83% respectively.
Waiting times for infant and childcare places in Sengkang have ranged from a few weeks to a few months, with unenrolled children whose parents registered interest decreasing by about 60% to 380 in 2021, less than 2% of families with preschool-aged children.
By the end of 2022, ECDA plans to open four new preschools in Sengkang, adding 60 infant care places and 400 childcare places, in accessible locations and aligned with new housing developments to meet ongoing demand.

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10 Jan 2022

Study on whether Cooperative Co-parenting is Easier with Sole Care and Control or Shared Care and Control

In 2020, the Ministry of Social and Family Development conducted a Co-Parenting Study which found that cooperative co-parenting is associated with positive child outcomes compared to other co-parenting styles.
The study did not specifically examine whether cooperative co-parenting is easier with sole or shared care and control, though it noted that 80% of cooperative co-parents had sole care and control while 19% had shared care and control.
There are no conclusive local or overseas findings on the benefits of shared care and control, so the Ministry does not plan to conduct a study on whether cooperative co-parenting is easier with one arrangement versus the other.
The Ministry will continue to support all divorced parents in practising cooperative co-parenting for the best interests of their children, regardless of care and control arrangements.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on Move to Allow Donning of Hijab for Healthcare Workers

Since November 2021, female Muslim healthcare staff in Singapore's public hospitals can wear the tudung as an add-on to their uniforms, and around 20% have started doing so by end December 2021.
The Ministry of Health has implemented clinical guidelines and refitted N95 masks to ensure infection control standards are maintained for staff wearing the tudung.
Feedback from both Muslim and non-Muslim staff has been generally positive, with Muslim staff appreciating the change and patients respecting their choice, including some receiving compliments on their professional appearance.

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10 Jan 2022

Divorces in Syariah Court that Resulted in Shared Care and Control of Children

Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs for the percentage of divorces in the Syariah Court resulting in shared care and control of children, and the proportion of such cases with complaints or appeals over frictions like subsidised housing policies in the Family Justice Courts and Syariah Courts.
The Syariah Court emphasized its child-centric approach, using support services like the Marriage Counselling Programme to encourage co-parenting and safeguard children’s well-being, regardless of which parent has care and control.
The Court noted that data on shared care and control is currently captured in individual orders and requires manual collation, but digitalisation efforts are underway to make statistics more accessible in the future.

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10 Jan 2022

Assessment of Parental Alienation Trend in Singapore

The Ministry for Social and Family Development does not track the prevalence of parental alienation due to the lack of a specific definition or classification, but parents are encouraged to seek counselling or mediation first.
If counselling or mediation fails, parents can consider legal recourse, including applying for interim child access or addressing breaches of existing court orders.
Courts may order children to attend supervised exchange or visitation programmes to support co-parenting, and parents can access support from FAM@FSCs or Divorce Support Specialist Agencies.

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10 Jan 2022

Reduction of Annual Childcare Leave from Six Days to Two When Child Turns Seven

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for updates on the rationale for reducing childcare leave from six days to two days when a child turns seven, and whether the Government is reviewing this, especially for essential or frontline workers who cannot work from home.
Indranee Rajah, representing the Prime Minister, explained that childcare leave was extended in 2013 to two days per parent per year for children aged seven to twelve, while younger children under seven retain six days, reflecting their greater care needs.
The Government balances parental support with employers' operational needs through a practical approach, promoting progressive workplace practices like flexible work arrangements instead of expanding leave entitlements.
For frontline workers unable to work from home, flexible arrangements such as staggered shifts or shared shifts are suggested to help manage caregiving responsibilities, with ongoing efforts to encourage family-friendly workplace practices.

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10 Jan 2022

Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill

The Women’s Charter (Amendment) Bill introduces compulsory Marriage and Parenthood Preparation for all divorcing parents with minor children, with counsellors referring those needing employment or financial support to relevant agencies, and also encourages flexible work arrangements and community support for single parents.
HDB will allow case-by-case waivers for divorcees with shared care of children to apply for flats without mutual agreement if they face difficulties, while emphasizing co-parenting and the child’s best interest over court-imposed conditions, and will review cases individually if an ex-spouse owns private property.
The Bill aims to strengthen therapeutic justice in family law, with divorce-related amendments to take effect in late 2022 or 2023, and further family violence protections to be introduced in a separate Bill later in the year.
Clarifications confirmed that enforcement of access orders applies to past and future divorces, and that children over 21 with disabilities can also benefit from the Marriage and Parenthood Preparation sessions, while non-legislative efforts promote equal parental roles.

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10 Jan 2022

Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill

The amendment introduces divorce by mutual agreement as a sixth fact for irretrievable breakdown of marriage, aiming to reduce acrimony by allowing couples to take joint responsibility and avoid blaming each other, while requiring them to submit reasons, reconciliation efforts, and post-divorce arrangements for the court's approval.
It enhances marriage processes by digitalizing pre-solemnisation steps and introducing a permanent video-link solemnisation option, while tightening safeguards against marriage abuse, such as longer stay requirements for non-residents to marry.
The bill mandates the Mandatory Parenting Programme for all divorcing parents with minor children to promote co-parenting and child-centric approaches, and introduces court-ordered children's programmes and enhanced enforcement powers for child access orders.
Other updates include removing archaic gender-specific provisions in the Women's Charter to reflect equal rights for married men and women, and proposing various support measures for families undergoing divorce, such as counselling and flexible work arrangements.

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