Family & gender — Topics

6 Jul 2021

Percentage of Civil Servants who Use Childcare Sick Leave and also Eligible for Flexible Work Arrangements

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Prime Minister for the percentage of civil servants who used childcare sick leave and were also eligible for flexible work arrangements over the past five years, and whether such data would be collected if not already.
The Prime Minister, via Chan Chun Sing, stated that all civil servants are eligible for flexible work arrangements as long as their job role allows it, so eligibility is not tracked per se.
He noted that civil servants with childcare or eldercare needs can discuss arrangements with supervisors and HR, including using leave provisions, flexible work arrangements, or redeployment opportunities.

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6 Jul 2021

Enhancing Support for Singaporeans Who Wish to Conceive but Are Unable to Do So under Current Conventions

The government reaffirms its commitment to supporting married couples who wish to conceive, with a focus on early family planning and fertility health.
Policies have been enhanced, including the removal of age limits for ART treatments and increased co-funding for ART and IUI procedures to improve affordability.
The government is engaging with fertility experts and couples through national conversations to better understand challenges and refine support for fertility health.
Public funds are targeted to balance support for couples with parenthood aspirations while ensuring responsible use of resources.
Feedback from engagements will inform ongoing reviews of fertility health support in Singapore.

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6 Jul 2021

Tax Rebates and Baby Bonus Incentives for Single Parents

The Minister explained that tax rebates and Baby Bonus are intended to encourage parenthood within marriage, which is why they are not extended to single unwed parents.
The government provides alternative support for all Singaporean children regardless of marital status, including Child Development Account benefits, education and healthcare subsidies, and childcare leave.
Targeted assistance for single unwed parents includes financial aid through Social Service Offices, family support from Family Service Centres, and pandemic-specific grants like the COVID-19 Recovery Grant.

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6 Jul 2021

Support for Married Women and Mothers during Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

The study found mothers' marital satisfaction dropped during the circuit breaker due to unequal household responsibilities, a theme echoed in the Conversations on Singapore Women's Development sessions.
The government has enhanced paternal leave schemes and partnered with family organizations to promote shared parenting and provide online counseling support during the pandemic.
Efforts are being made to encourage flexible work arrangements and recognize women's contributions, with a focus on equitable family roles to strengthen marriages.

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6 Jul 2021

Educational Programmes to Deal with Allegations and Incidents of Sexual Harrassment

The Ministry of Social and Family Development detailed that madrasahs incorporate sexuality education into their curriculum for students aged 13 to 16, covering topics like relationships and gender, and also offer youth engagement programmes and holiday programmes for younger students.
Madrasah staff receive training through talks and programs, including partnerships with organizations like Club HEAL, to handle allegations of sexual harassment and support students, with each madrasah having at least one trained teacher and roving counsellors available.
The Ministry of Islamic Religious Affairs works with mosques to implement anti-harassment policies and reporting procedures, with revised policies expected to be fully implemented later this year to support victims.
The Ministry emphasized that Islam teaches the equal worth of men and women, and this is reflected in madrasahs and mosques through female leadership roles and equal opportunities for both genders to serve in various appointments.
The Ministry is committed to ensuring madrasahs and mosques remain inclusive spaces where all Muslims can develop their full potential and contribute to society.

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6 Jul 2021

Reports of Sexually-explicit Online Posts Made to MUIS and MUIS' Response

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap questioned MUIS on the timeline and response to complaints about an online poll targeting female Islamic religious teachers, the number of similar cases reported, counseling measures for suspects, and a timeline for revising moral education programs.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that MUIS received complaints on 26 May 2021, offered support to victims, and lodged a police report, with investigations ongoing and no further comments until completion.
From January 2019 to June 2021, MUIS received 12 complaints of sexual harassment involving members of the asatizah fraternity as perpetrators and two reports of asatizah as victims, with no similar cases reported since the online poll.
MUIS regularly reviews the Islamic education curriculum for programs like Kids aLIVE and Teens aLIVE to address emerging issues affecting Muslim children and youths.

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6 Jul 2021

Investigation into Online Poll Ranking of Female Muslim Religious Teachers for Sexual Attractiveness

MUIS reported an online poll sexualizing female Muslim religious teachers to the Police in May 2021, with investigations ongoing, and has offered support to victims while receiving 12 complaints of sexual harassment by asatizah and two reports of asatizah as victims over three years.
MUIS has established processes for reporting harassment confidentially, including immediate support, investigations, and disciplinary actions by a senior committee, with Police reports made for criminal acts.
Training and initiatives include internal workshops with NTUC and TAFEP, anti-harassment policies in mosques and madrasahs, talks by Club HEAL, and certified courses for teachers to address psychological and emotional needs.

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6 Jul 2021

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Government's Population Strategies

The Government regularly reviews population strategies and confirmed they remain aligned with the Emerging Stronger Taskforce recommendations to support post-pandemic recovery.
Singaporeans remain central to population policies, with continued focus on marriage and parenthood, support for families, and strengthening the local workforce through upskilling and reskilling.
The Government will continue to tap global talent to complement local workers while ensuring fair hiring and refining foreign workforce policies to create more good jobs for Singaporeans.

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6 Jul 2021

Upstream Interventions to Detect and Prevent Child Abuse

The Ministry for Social and Family Development emphasized that prevention and early detection are key, with Social Service Agencies like Family Service Centres providing community-based services and parenting programmes to manage family stressors and reduce abuse risks.
Multiple touchpoints in the child protection ecosystem, including schools, police, and medical institutions, use guides like the Sector-Specific Screening Guide and Child Abuse Reporting Guide to identify and refer at-risk children for early or statutory intervention.
Public awareness campaigns, such as "Break the Silence," and the National Anti-Violence Hotline have increased reporting of child protection concerns, contributing to a rise in cases that the Ministry attributes to better detection rather than an actual surge in incidents.
The Ministry confirmed that the Child Protective Service is managing the increase in cases amid the pandemic, and the Taskforce on Family Violence will announce recommendations later this year to further address child abuse through education and enhanced support.
The Ministry urges the public to report suspected abuse via the National Anti-Violence Hotline, reinforcing that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.

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6 Jul 2021

Increasing Stock of Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to Support Families Affected by BTO Construction Delays

HDB is working with contractors to expedite BTO construction while maintaining quality and safety, and exploring exemptions for quieter weekend construction to mitigate delays.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) prioritizes first-timer applicants in greatest need, with plans to increase temporary housing supply to better support affected flat buyers.
Rental rates for PPHS flats are kept low compared to the open market, and low-income families without options may receive case-by-case support through Interim Rental Housing at around $300 monthly.

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6 Jul 2021

Options for Teens Kicked Out of Their Homes for Issues Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The Minister outlined that teens facing family conflict or abuse can seek help from Family Service Centres, Family Violence and Child Protection services, or Transitional Shelters, with support accessible regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The government does not condone abuse against any person and provides alternative care arrangements for those facing violence, while assessing suitability for communal living.
The T Project offers temporary shelter for homeless individuals, including many from the LGBTQ+ community, and the government will consider funding programmes addressing significant social needs, including those run by community partners.
Community partner shelters complement government-funded services, though not all receive government funding, and the focus is on meeting community needs through accessible support options.

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6 Jul 2021

Registration of Births and Deaths Bill

The Bill repeals and re-enacts the Registration of Births and Deaths Act to streamline and modernise the processes for reporting and registering births, deaths, and stillbirths, including mandatory reporting for events in Singapore and on inbound conveyances.
Key changes include removing the delayed registration concept for births, consolidating birth registrations under one law, and simplifying death registration by eliminating the need for relatives to apply in person, allowing for automatic digital registration.
The Bill enhances the powers of the Registrar-General and ICA officers to investigate offences and register events under special circumstances, such as for children with incomplete particulars or overseas deaths of Singapore citizens, while also raising penalties for deterrence.
During the debate, concerns were raised about the seven-year timeframe for naming children with incomplete registrations, the need for proactive support for stateless children and children of single unwed mothers, and ensuring inter-agency coordination to provide social and educational support.

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5 Jul 2021