By: Bharati Jagdish
First published: 11 August 04, Radio Singapore International

Women are back on the front benches of government in Singapore after a three-year hiatus.

There'll be three women political office-holders in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's government.

Deputy House Speaker Lim Hwee Hua will be promoted to Minister of State for Finance and Transport.

Yu-Foo Yee Shoon will relinquish her mayorship to become Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

MP, Dr Amy Khor will take over Mrs Yu-Foo as Mayor of South West Community Development Council.

For more on the signal this sends out about women's role in politics, Bharati Jagdish (BJ) spoke to Member-of-Parliament, Madam Ho Geok Choo (HGC).

HGC: "I think it's a very strong positive signal especially to women in Singapore who make up about half of our population. We are seeing women moving to positions of influence in Singapore. This is very important and encouraging because it shows that women are put into public office not for the sake of representation, but more because they are really capable and are given equal opportunities to contribute to the nation."

BJ: Now, what were the reasons behind the fact that for three years, we had no women office-holders on the front benches?

HGC: "For a long time, the reason that has been given is that they could not find the right women candidate. This time round, they did find the right women, suitable women who are prepared to come forward to go into public office."

BJ: Also, to begin with, we don't have that many women MPs. The men far outnumber the women.

HGC: "Yes, you are right to say that. There are only 10 elected women MPs versus over 70 male MPs, therefore it is more difficult to actually get the right numbers to come in to serve."

BJ: Now, why do we have fewer women coming forward to become MPs in the first place?

HGC: "Well, the work of an MP is demanding. Very often, they have to not only maintain their political career, but also their professional career. The demands, especially if, as a woman, you have to deal with the demands of the family, be a mother and a housewife, are really sometimes very pressing. Because of that, many women have decided that unless there is really something - a calling - where they feel that they really can make a difference, they might as well fulfill their ambitions in the corporate world, not in public office."

BJ: How do you think we can encourage more women to get involved in politics and start off as MPs perhaps?

HGC: "One of the things that we ought to do is to de-emphasise the stereotype that is so dominant in our society. Typically, when you look at the roles of men and women, most of the time women are seen as the homemakers, the ones who look after the children or the elderly in the family. I really look forward to more men stepping forward to help to ease some of this burden. I think it's only when men realise that they can play a role in taking over some of these responsibilities, we can ease the way for women to dare to move forward to take up public office."

BJ: Now, are there certain issues in governance and politics that may be best-handled by a woman or that require a woman's perspective?

HGC: "I think there will always be issues that would benefit from a woman's perspective. If you look at, for example, the issue of procreation, a lot of it rests with women willing to really promote the concept across to other women. It is this kind of campaign that will benefit from a woman's perspective and our three women will play a major role here. Supported by our women MPs, we can make a breakthrough in some of these areas."

BJ: Now that we have three women office-holders, do you think more women will be encouraged to come forward and serve as MPs?

HGC: "I think it is a step in the right direction, a very encouraging step because it will give to women the signal that there are equal opportunities given to capable women to move up beyond just being an MP."