The People’s Action Party’s (PAP) women’s wing and youth wing has called for anti-discrimination laws at the workplace.
The PAP team released a joint paper that set out a total of 12 recommendations for the improvement of women’s development in Singapore.
In their joint paper released on Thursday (29 July), the PAP team said that women in Singapore should also be allowed to freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons.
PAP Calls For Workplace Anti-Discrimination Laws
The joint paper with anti-discrimination laws recommendations was released after the Government announced in September 2020 that it was embarking on a comprehensive review on women and gender equality issues.
According to The Straits Times, this review will culminate in an upcoming White Paper to be introduced in Parliament later this year.
The PAP team put together the joint paper by conducting dialogue sessions with about 1,500 people who raised issues women face in schools, workplaces, and at home.
The following recommendations will be submitted to the Government and will be considered in drafting the White Paper.
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More options for women to balance their careers with other responsibilities
In the joint paper, it has been noted that there are existing frameworks that offer women some protection against discriminatory actions such as the Employment Act.
This includes being dismissed without cause while they are pregnant.
Despite this, the paper says there is more that needs to be done to further reduce workplace discrimination.
It recommends the following:
- Legislating the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
This will ensure stronger enforcement of these practices.
- Scaling up movements such as the SG Women in Tech.
This will encourage girls and young women to enter and progress in growth sectors.
- The Government along with organisations and employers should work together to develop support packages and networks for women.
This will protect those who took a break from their careers to take care of their children and would want to re-enter the workforce.
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Equal share of caregiving responsibilities
The PAP team’s joint paper also recommended ways to shift the burden of caregiving among couples in a more equitable direction.
This is also likely to bolster support for caregivers.
- The cap on the number of maternity leave days that can be converted to paternity leave should be removed.
The paper says that this will give couples the freedom to decide which parent will look after their children.
- More financial support for those caring for seniors.
Aside from taking care of children, the paper recommends boosting the existing Home Caregiving Grant. It also recommends creating a new scheme to help caregivers receive the grant with their retirement needs. Under this, the government will match funds contributed by families to the Central Provident Fun account of the family member performing full-time caregiver duties.
- Voluntary respite care services should also be organised.
They should raise more awareness of existing support programmes and enhance long-term home-based care options for seniors.
Breaking stereotypes and changing mindsets of gender norms
The paper also brings to light existing stereotypes and norms and how they are some of the barriers to greater fairness and equal respect between genders.
- In schools:
The PAP team recommends that the Ministry of Education conduct timely and regular updates to its sexual education curriculum. This is to respond to current issues and trends. There should also be a safe space for students to ask sex-related questions both in school and at home.
- At workplaces:
The paper recommends a tripartite effort in promoting open and safe reporting of harassment and a zero-tolerance approach.
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Women to be allowed to freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons
It was also noted in the joint paper that there are some women in Singapore who go overseas just to have their eggs frozen. This is because the country has banned such procedures for non-medical reasons.
It recommends that women be allowed to freeze their eggs but with a regulatory framework and conditions in place.
The PAP team also recommended creating a national reproductive health screening programme.
This programme could help married couples make decisions and plans on having children. Other recommendations include a network to help single mothers access to support and resources.
What are your thoughts on these recommendations?
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