Family & gender — Topics

12 Nov 2013

World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Report 2013

The Parliamentary Secretary noted Singapore’s improved ranking in the WEF Gender Gap Report 2013, rising to 58th place, and emphasized the government uses multiple indices—including the UN Gender Inequality Index—to track gender equality, while acknowledging the WEF report measures relative gaps rather than absolute progress.
In response to questions about data gaps, the Parliamentary Secretary explained discrepancies in tertiary enrollment figures stem from methodological issues for city-states like Singapore, and highlighted high female literacy rates and university enrollment, asserting equal educational access.
The government outlined initiatives to support women’s workforce participation, such as expanding childcare and eldercare services and promoting shared parental responsibilities through family education, while noting labor force participation rates have improved over the past decade.
On political empowerment, the Parliamentary Secretary reported women hold 25 of 99 parliamentary seats (25.4%), above the global average, and stressed the merit-based system over quotas, while acknowledging more could be done to increase female representation in Cabinet.

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12 Nov 2013

Late-term Abortions

In 2012, there were 990 second-trimester abortions out of a total of 10,624, with less than 4% cited for medical reasons.
The number of abortions for girls under 16 has declined from 109 in 1999 to 51 in 2012, and the Termination of Pregnancy Act already has safeguards to prevent Singapore from becoming a regional abortion hub.
The Ministry is reviewing mandatory pre-abortion counselling criteria and plans to engage stakeholders and the public once ready.
Pre-abortion counselling includes information on alternatives like adoption, but only about 4% of women reconsider their decision after counselling.

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11 Nov 2013

HDB Flat Applications under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme

David Ong questioned whether HDB would review penalties for cancelled flat bookings under the Fiancé/Fiancée scheme and provide more support for couples facing financial hardship due to relationship breakdowns.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that HDB imposes a 5% forfeiture fee to ensure serious bookings and has no plans to change it, noting it is lower than private developers' 20% fee.
HDB may consider waiving the forfeiture fee on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances like financial hardship.

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11 Nov 2013

Violation of Student Pass Conditions

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about the demographic breakdown of Student Pass holders, the number of passes cancelled for violations, and whether students involved with married Singaporean men would be repatriated.
Teo Chee Hean stated that as of end-June 2013, there were 80,000 Student Pass holders with a balanced gender split, primarily from nearby and North Asian countries.
He confirmed that violating Student Pass conditions can lead to cancellation and repatriation, and ICA will act if proof is provided of a student breaking up a Singaporean family.
Over the past three years, about 100 students annually (0.1%) had passes cancelled or not renewed, mainly due to illegal employment or offences like theft.

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11 Nov 2013

Promotion of Pro-marriage Values

Pritam Singh questioned the government's approach to societal forces harming marriage, referencing the community reaction to the Ashley Madison website.
Chan Chun Sing outlined regulatory actions by MDA, ACRA, and MHA to block harmful content and entities, while emphasizing that regulation alone is insufficient.
The government promotes marriage through education and partnerships with employers, community organizations, and media, including initiatives like the Marriage Convention and Family Matters! program.

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11 Nov 2013

Registration of Extramarital Dating Website in Singapore

Seah Kian Peng asked if the government would allow, block, or permit publicity for a planned Canadian-based extramarital dating website in Singapore.
Denise Phua Lay Peng asked if the Ministry would block the Ashley Madison website and similar services that promote infidelity.
The Government will block access to the Ashley Madison website as it encourages extramarital affairs and targets Singaporeans, which is against public interest and family values.
It is not practical to block all similar websites, so the Media Development Authority blocks a limited number as a symbolic statement against undesirable content.
The government will work with the Advertising Standards Authority to discourage advertisements for such services, and Ashley Madison is unlikely to be advertised locally now that its site is blocked.

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21 Oct 2013

Complaints of Child Abuse or Alleged Abuse by Teachers or Staff at Childcare Centres and Kindergartens

David Ong inquired about trends in complaints of child abuse or alleged abuse by teachers or staff at childcare centres and kindergartens, including annual numbers and the potential mandatory installation of CCTVs.
Chan Chun Sing responded that complaints are investigated and most are due to miscommunication or lapses, not wilful harm, with no upward trend in verified cases of child mismanagement between 2011 and 2012.
The Minister highlighted that CCTVs could aid security and fact verification but emphasized the importance of trust between teachers and parents, noting that professional conduct is crucial regardless of technology.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will continue reviewing standards in regulation, teacher training, centre design, and technology deployment to strengthen the pre-school system.

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21 Oct 2013

Payouts under Maintenance of Parents Act

Seah Kian Peng asked for the range of payouts under the Maintenance of Parents Act from 2011 to 2013, the average amount granted, and the percentage of payers from households earning less than $2,500 per capita.
Chan Chun Sing stated that payouts ranged from $100 to $1,200 monthly, with over 90% receiving $600 or less and an average of about $300 per month.
He added that about 85% of those ordered to pay maintenance came from households with per capita incomes below $2,500.
The Tribunal considers both parents' and children's financial situations and may dismiss or reduce orders if parents had abandoned, abused, or neglected their children.

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21 Oct 2013

International Child Abduction Act since Its Enactment

Ms Ellen Lee inquired about the International Child Abduction Act’s implementation, including which contracting states Singapore’s central authority has contacted for child returns, difficulties faced, and countries that have not reciprocally recognized Singapore as a contracting state.
She also asked for statistics on cases since the Act’s enactment in March 2011, detailing applicant demographics, success and failure rates, reasons for outcomes, and average waiting times for child returns.
Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that 30 out of 90 contracting states have accepted Singapore’s accession, and the Singapore Central Authority has handled five cases involving France, Germany, Hong Kong, and the U.S., with an average resolution time of 2.5 months.
The central authority also assists requests from non-contracting states by providing legal information and support, while Singapore continues to engage with other jurisdictions to improve practices under the Convention.

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21 Oct 2013

Complaints of Unruly Passengers by Female Taxi Drivers

Ang Hin Kee inquired about the top three complaints from female taxi drivers regarding unruly passengers over the last three years and the solutions implemented by the Ministry for Transport to address these concerns.
Lui Tuck Yew emphasized that all taxi drivers deserve a safe working environment and highlighted safety measures such as panic buttons in taxis that alert call centres and police for assistance.
He noted that the number of reported cases from female drivers is low, with only four out of 50 reported cases in the past three years, two involving robbery and two involving outrage of modesty.
The Land Transport Authority plans to continue collaborating with taxi companies and the police to enhance driver safety against unruly passengers.

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21 Oct 2013

HDB Flats Allocated to Divorcees with Children

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah inquired about the number of divorcees with children allocated HDB flats and those still waiting over the past three years.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan reported that from 2010 to 2012, 6,570 such applicants applied for new flats, with 3,640 invited to book and 2,840 completing the purchase.
Of the 2,930 unsuccessful applicants, 560 bought alternative housing, while 840 continued applying for new flats this year.
Since 2010, 2,660 divorcees with children received rental flats, and 400 are currently on the waiting list for rental units.
Low-income divorcees with no housing options or family support may apply for public rental flats.

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21 Oct 2013

Promotion of Marriage and Family Life

The Ministry for Social and Family Development runs the Social Development Network to connect singles with dating resources and events.
Marriage preparation programmes are funded to teach communication and conflict resolution, with over 500 couples benefiting annually.
Couples facing difficulties can seek counselling from Family Service Centres or Voluntary Welfare Organisations.
Over 5,800 businesses have pledged to be family friendly, with more than 450 receiving accreditation.
The FamilyMatters! Initiative was launched to promote family education through workplaces, schools, and community touchpoints.

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21 Oct 2013

Use of SingPass for Primary School Online Registration

The debate focused on why single parents cannot use their SingPass for Primary 1 online registration, with a question from Lee Li Lian to the Minister for Education.
Heng Swee Keat explained that the standard registration requires both parents' documents to prove their relationship and joint decision, but single parents can register in person with proof of their marital situation.
The online system requires two SingPass entries to verify parents' identities, so single parents must register at the school with documents to confirm their circumstances and prevent disputes.
The Ministry is exploring digital solutions like the P1 Internet System for convenience but must balance verification needs for all family types.
The core concern is ensuring accurate parental consent and reducing disputes, while adapting systems to accommodate single-parent households through alternative channels.

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21 Oct 2013

Women in SAF

Mr Alex Yam raised questions about the number of women in the SAF since 1997, the challenges they face in their careers, and whether the Ministry would broaden recruitment across combat and support roles.
Minister Ng Eng Hen stated that about 1,500 regular servicewomen make up 7% of the corps, are deployed in diverse roles including combat positions, and that career progression is merit-based.
The Minister highlighted that women have held senior command roles and participated in international missions such as tsunami relief and peace operations, and that the SAF provides flexibility for life events like marriage and parenthood.
He added that the SAF awards scholarships to women to attract talent, citing examples like LTA Sharon Tan, and emphasized the profession as fulfilling and vital to the SAF’s effectiveness.

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21 Oct 2013

Singapore Children Who Do Not Have Child Development Accounts

Tin Pei Ling inquired about the number of Singaporean children without a Child Development Account (CDA), the reasons parents do not set them up, and what support the Government can offer low-income families.
Minister Chan Chun Sing reported that, since the Baby Bonus scheme began in 2001, about 3% of earlier cohorts (2,600 children) did not open a CDA, while 7% of later cohorts (14,000 children) have yet to do so, with take-up rates expected to increase as parents have more time to open accounts.
The Minister noted that some parents do not open CDAs due to perceived financial constraints or lack of awareness, and the Government is expanding outreach through community channels and recent exercises to encourage more families to sign up.

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21 Oct 2013

Employment, Parental Leave and Other Measures Bill

The bill aims to amend the Employment Act and Child Development Co-Savings Act to give employers more flexibility in handling employment matters while improving standards for employees.
It refines benefits related to maternity, adoption, childcare, shared parental leave, and paternity leave for both employees and self-employed persons.
The Acting Minister for Manpower presented the bill, which had its first reading and will be scheduled for a second reading in a future parliamentary sitting.

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21 Oct 2013

Number of Singaporeans Married to Non-citizen Spouses Eligible to Buy New HDB BTO Flats

There are about 7,000 marriages annually involving Singapore citizens and foreign spouses, with these couples eligible since July 2013 to buy 2-room BTO flats in non-mature estates if they meet first-timer, age, and income criteria.
The government cannot estimate the number of such couples eligible for 2-room BTO flats because marriage records do not capture income or housing history.
Approximately 300 couples applied under this new scheme in the July and September 2013 BTO exercises.
HDB blocks that include 2-room flats will also typically have other flat types to promote social mixing.

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21 Oct 2013

Purchase of New HDB BTO Flats for Singapore Citizens with Foreign Spouses

David Ong asked whether Singapore Citizens with foreign spouses can buy new HDB BTO flats, given the family nucleus criterion is met.
The Minister replied that such citizens can qualify for BTO flats if they have Singapore Citizen children, or else apply for a 2-room BTO flat in non-mature estates if they meet age, income, and first-timer criteria.
David Ong noted the current scheme has an age restriction of 35 and limits flats to 2-room, which he argued prejudices younger couples and suggested a review to allow 3-room flats to support fertility goals.
The Minister reiterated that the policy is pro-family, explaining the age limit does not apply once they have Singapore Citizen children, and encouraged spouses to apply for PR or citizenship.

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16 Sep 2013

Maternity-related Disputes and Complaints

From 2008 to June 2013, the Ministry of Manpower received 617 maternity-related claims and appeals, with most resolved through mediation and a small number referred to the Minister for a decision.
About half of the cases referred to the Minister were decided in favor of the employee, but no reinstatements were ordered; compensation was provided instead, as employees often preferred not to continue with the same employer.
The Ministry enhanced maternity protection from May 2013 to cover the full pregnancy period, making employers liable for full maternity benefits if they dismiss pregnant employees without sufficient cause.
The majority of disputes involved complex issues beyond straightforward unfair treatment, often linked to alleged poor performance or misconduct by the employee.
The Ministry continues to ensure legal protections against unfair dismissal during pregnancy and maternity leave, with mediation remaining the primary resolution method.

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16 Sep 2013

Preventing Child Abuse at Childcare Centres

The Member asked about existing training, counselling mechanisms, and conflict management training for childcare teachers handling hyperactive or socially challenging children.
The Minister stated that all early childhood teachers receive pre- and in-service training in behaviour management, including positive reinforcement and role modelling, and are encouraged to seek guidance from senior staff and collaborate with parents.
The Minister added that pre-schools are encouraged to provide additional support such as counsellor referrals and mentoring, and that the Early Childhood Development Agency will continue reviewing and strengthening standards in regulation, training, centre design, and technology.

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