Family & gender — Topics

5 Oct 2021

Annual Applications for Divorce and Counselling to Syariah Court and Factors Causing Divorce in Malay/Muslim Community from 2016 to 2020

Between 2016 and 2020, the Syariah Court received an annual average of about 3,300 registrations for the Marriage Counselling Programme and 1,900 applications for divorce.
On average, about 1,600 of these cases each year ultimately ended in divorce.
The top three reasons for divorces in the Malay/Muslim community during this period were infidelity, financial problems, and desertion.

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5 Oct 2021

Number of Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 Cases Handled by Family Services Centres and Number of Social Workers Employed by these Centres in Past Five Years

From FY2018 to FY2020, the total number of active Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 cases handled by Family Service Centres (FSCs) was reported, with no data available for the period before FY2018.
The number of social workers employed by FSCs increased steadily over the past five years, from 658 in FY2016 to 1,015 in FY2020.
FSCs classify cases into four groups based on risk and complexity, with higher-risk cases assigned to higher groupings, and they review cases regularly to adjust classifications.

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5 Oct 2021

Number of Deaths by Suicides Recorded for Women Who Were Pregnant or Had Given Birth

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the number of suicide deaths among women who were pregnant or had given birth in the past year.
The Minister provided data on suicide deaths of women who had given birth in the year prior to death from 2016 to 2020.
The government does not have data on suicide deaths of women who were pregnant at the time of death.

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5 Oct 2021

Breakdown of Post-partum Depression Cases Over Last 10 Years

The Ministry of Health reported a gradual decline in post-partum depression cases at public hospitals from 421 in 2011 to 362 in 2020, with about one in five affected mothers requiring financial assistance, a proportion that has remained consistent.
Data from NUH indicates that the socio-economic segments of mothers with post-partum depression have shown relative stability in terms of financial assistance needs over the past decade.
The GUSTO study is an ongoing longitudinal investigation into the link between maternal emotional health, such as post-partum depression, and the child’s health and development in later years.
The Government is considering conducting additional longitudinal studies on post-partum depression if further evidence is needed, though no new studies were explicitly promised in the response.

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5 Oct 2021

Effectiveness of Community Work Definition in Family Service Centre Code of Social Work Practice

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has developed a Community Work practice guide for Family Service Centres (FSCs) to be rolled out in 2022, following a workgroup with social work professionals and academics to document best practices and evaluation methods.
MSF does not currently use a standardized rubric to evaluate community work effectiveness due to the diverse and flexible nature of FSC community projects, but plans to review impact after the guide is implemented.
FSCs receive funding for community work alongside case work and group work, with flexibility to reallocate resources and leverage community partnerships to address local needs.
MSF conducts regular funding reviews to ensure FSCs have the necessary resources and notes that FSCs also contribute through parent organisations and other community collaborations.

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5 Oct 2021

Preparations to Train and Build Up Pool of Informal Caregivers Given Anticipated Demand as Population Ages

Carrie Tan asked for projections on the growing need for informal caregivers over the next 10 to 20 years and how the government plans to support and build up care worker capacity to ease the caregiving burden on families.
Ong Ye Kung noted that 119,000 residents are currently out of the workforce due to family care duties, and by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above, increasing caregiving demands.
The government is expanding care services by adding thousands of day and home care places since 2015, piloting new respite care options, and reviewing grants like the Home Caregiving Grant to provide targeted support.
To ensure sufficient and qualified manpower, the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Integrated Care are assisting providers with recruitment, branding, salary enhancements, and training grants to build capabilities in the care sector.

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5 Oct 2021

Raising Awareness amongst Pharmacists to Spot Signs of Domestic Violence and Teaching Domestic Violence Victims to Seek Help with Non-verbal Cues or Code Words

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked what more can be done to raise awareness and expand the pool of trained pharmacists to spot signs of domestic violence, and whether the Ministry will promote the use of code words or non-verbal cues for victims to seek help.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that a whole-of-society effort is needed, citing the Taskforce on Family Violence’s 16 recommendations to improve support, protection, prevention, and awareness.
MSF has collaborated with partners like Unity Pharmacy to train pharmacists and retail assistants in detecting family violence, and has distributed brochures and posters in retail outlets to reach out to victims discreetly.
The Taskforce endorsed the suggestion to use non-verbal cues or code words for help, and MSF is exploring ways to implement this, with further details to be released later this year.
MSF will continue expanding outreach to more organisations, especially those with direct contact with potential victims, and welcomes partnerships to strengthen community detection of family violence.

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5 Oct 2021

Shorter Wait Times for Households who Need Migrant Domestic Workers for Care Needs

Mr Dennis Tan asked the Ministry of Manpower to expedite the entry of more migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to reduce wait times for households needing care for seniors and children.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that the government is prioritizing MDWs for urgent caregiving needs and will accept new applications from vaccinated MDWs from 15 October, with entry from 1 November, though wait times may be three to six months due to public health limits.
A pilot programme by the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) is helping to safely accelerate MDW entry for urgent cases, with efforts to scale it up and expand to other countries as feasible.

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4 Oct 2021

Support for Grandparents Forced Out of Circumstances to Look after Grandchildren Left in Their Care by Their Children

The Ministry provides MSF-appointed kin carers with case worker support, childcare leave, and access to financial assistance for living and child-related expenses through ComCare.
Grandparents facing caregiving challenges can seek socio-emotional and family support from Family Service Centres, which offer case management and coordination with other agencies.
Parenting Support Providers and counselling services at Strengthening Families Programme @ FSCs are available to help grandparents develop caregiving skills and address relationship issues.

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4 Oct 2021

Number of Police Reports on Abuse by Partners, Spouses and Family Members in Past Three Years

Dr Tan Yia Swam asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the number of police reports on abuse by partners, spouses, and family members over the past three years.
The Minister responded with 5,134 police reports on family violence in 2020, noting that tracking began to assist the Taskforce on Family Violence.
The Minister explained that breaking down reports by specific relationships (e.g., partners, spouses) is not meaningful due to the complexity of family violence cases, which often involve multiple suspects and victims.

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4 Oct 2021

Support Measures to Assist Vulnerable Dependants of Sole Breadwinners under Remand or Jailed and Processes to Identify Them

The Singapore Prison Service collaborates with community partners like the Yellow Ribbon Community Project to identify and assist families of inmates, providing referrals to social service offices and family service centres for housing, education, and daily needs.
Initiatives such as annual booster packs with grocery vouchers, bookstore vouchers for children, and targeted support for Malay/Muslim families through M3 agencies are part of the outreach efforts.
Inmates' family needs are identified through interviews with prison officers, visits by Visiting Justices, or volunteers, leading to referrals to Family Resource Centres or social service agencies for further assistance.
Funds like the Inmates’ Families Support Fund and Yellow Ribbon Emergency Fund offer temporary financial matching and support to ex-offenders and their families upon release.
The government's primary support comes through multiple agencies, with community programmes supplementing these efforts to address vulnerable families' needs.

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4 Oct 2021

Imposition of Income Ceiling of $7,000 for HDB Flat Applicants under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Murali Pillai questioned the rationale for the $7,000 income ceiling under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme and suggested considering per capita household income instead.
Desmond Lee explained that the income ceiling aims to prioritize families in greater need of subsidized temporary housing amid rising demand and limited supply of PPHS flats.
The $7,000 threshold is above the median income of PPHS applicants and aligns with the income ceiling for 3-room BTO flats in non-mature estates.
HDB will consider case-by-case exceptions for households exceeding the income ceiling but facing high expenses or larger family sizes.
The government plans to increase PPHS flat supply over the next two years to address the current shortage and delays in BTO completions.

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4 Oct 2021

Extending Current Childcare Leave Entitlement to Those with Primary School-going Children

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether childcare leave could be extended to parents with primary school children due to home-based learning.
Indranee Rajah, representing the Prime Minister, stated that parents already receive two days of paid Extended Childcare Leave and schools remain open during HBL for those needing care.
The government declined to extend leave for all HBL days, citing feasibility concerns and the need to protect employability.
It emphasized promoting flexible work arrangements as a sustainable solution for balancing work and family commitments.

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4 Oct 2021

Additional Support for Families with Young Children in Childcare when Parents have Consumed Eligible Leave for Care of Children at Home

The Government highlighted that working parents of young children are already entitled to up to six days of paid childcare leave and that most employees have more than 14 days of annual leave, which together are generally sufficient for childcare needs.
In response to increased care needs during the pandemic, the Government encourages employers to adopt Flexible Work Arrangements and has promoted progressive workplace practices through Tripartite Standards and an Alliance for Action on Work-Life Harmony.
The Government supports family care networks through measures like the Proximity Housing Grant, which helps Singaporeans live with or near their parents or married child for mutual care and support.

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4 Oct 2021

Current Wage for Singaporeans to Acquire a Decent Living for Themselves

The government is committed to supporting Singaporeans' ability to achieve a decent living through a targeted and holistic approach, including enhanced social safety nets and subsidies in housing, healthcare, and education.
Key strategies to uplift lower-wage workers include extending the Progressive Wage Model to more sectors, enhancing the Workfare Income Supplement, and enforcing the Local Qualifying Salary to ensure a minimum monthly income.
Comprehensive family support is provided through enhanced Marriage and Parenthood packages, including increased Baby Bonus and Child Development Account benefits, as well as affordable preschool access for low-income families.
The government regularly reviews assistance criteria, such as ComCare, based on statistical data and stakeholder input, and encourages community outreach to connect those in need with available support.

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4 Oct 2021

Allegation of Police Behaviour towards Victim of Sexual Assault

Minister K Shanmugam responded to allegations made by MP Raeesah Khan about police behavior towards a sexual assault victim, emphasizing the seriousness with which the government views such claims and the need for investigation.
The Minister requested specific details from Ms Khan, such as the police station, date, and officer descriptions, to facilitate an inquiry while aiming to protect the victim's confidentiality and avoid re-traumatization.
Ms Khan declined to provide the requested details, citing confidentiality with the survivor, despite clarification that sharing the police station and month would not breach confidentiality.
The Police have been instructed to investigate further, including interviewing Ms Khan and the relevant officers, and to refer any misconduct allegations to the Internal Affairs Office, as no matching case was found in records so far.

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14 Sep 2021

Incidences of Pregnant Employees Leaving Workforce over Fears of Contracting COVID-19 and Initiatives to Protect Their Rights before Vaccination

The Minister confirmed there have been no complaints lodged by pregnant employees against employers for ignoring workplace safety concerns regarding COVID-19, with queries generally resolved through MOM's clarifications and advice.
Employers are encouraged to accommodate pregnant employees' requests for alternative work arrangements, such as redeployment to lower-risk settings or work from home, as part of safe management measures.
The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has advised that pregnant women can be vaccinated, with no evidence suggesting harm from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and they may consult doctors for concerns.
The Multi-Ministry Task Force has announced initiatives like ramping up workplace testing to detect infections early, aiming to ensure a safe environment for all employees.
Pregnant employees are advised to raise safety concerns with their employers and approach MOM if mutually agreeable work arrangements cannot be reached.

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14 Sep 2021

Proposal to Review Eligibility Conditions to Retain Matrimonial Flat upon Divorce

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked HDB to review allowing divorcees below 35 and without children to retain their matrimonial flat, and to provide annual case numbers for the last five years.
Desmond Lee explained that priority is given to larger families, and singles can own HDB flats only from age 35, but divorcees without children can retain the flat if at least 35 or with a family member.
HDB does allow exceptions on a case-by-case basis for divorcees below 35 without children if they cannot form a family nucleus or stay with family, with 37 such cases approved annually from 2016 to 2020.

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14 Sep 2021

Update on Booster Programme Roll-out and Help for Pregnant and Post-partum Women to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

The government has achieved over 80% full vaccination coverage and is commencing a booster programme for seniors aged 60 and above and immunocompromised individuals, while continuously studying the need and plans for general population boosters.
A cautious transition to a COVID-19 resilient nation is paused due to rising cases, with vaccination-differentiated measures, testing regimes like "Vaccinate or Regular Testing," and safe management measures remaining key to control transmission.
Support is provided for pregnant women, medically ineligible individuals, and workers in higher-risk settings, including funding for tests and facilitating hospital visits through video conferencing, while the government continues to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

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13 Sep 2021

Average Percentage of Applicants in Excess of 30% of Flats Set Aside under Married Child Priority Scheme in HDB BTO Projects within Mature Estates and Non-mature Estates over Last Five Years

From 2016 to 2020, the average application rate for all first-timer families for 3-room and bigger HDB BTO flats was 4.2 times in mature estates and 2.8 times in non-mature estates.
About 30% of these first-timer applicants were eligible for the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS), which sets aside 30% of such flats for them.
Among MCPS applicants, about 20% in mature estates and 30% in non-mature estates were balloted within the MCPS quota.
Overall, about 50% of all first-timer MCPS applicants in mature estates and 60% in non-mature estates were successful in their flat application, higher than first-timer applicants without priority schemes.
MCPS applicants not balloted within the quota were entered into a second ballot with other public applicants.

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