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SINGAPORE : The labour movement - NTUC Women's Development Secretariat - has published a guidebook aimed at single mothers.
It includes information on help schemes, with a section devoted to explaining their legal rights.
The past two years have not been easy for Habibah Bibi, but she is slowly picking up the pieces.
The days after her divorce in 2007 were especially bleak. For the first time, she was on her own, with three children to raise and few to turn to for support.
Madam Habibah said: "Of course, people will talk behind (my back), maybe they say I am (at) fault... Especially like Hari Raya time, we go to people's house without him, then people keep on asking me, 'Long time never see him, what happened?' So it is difficult for me and for my children."
Madam Habibah found a job as an office attendant, but a monthly S$800 salary meant severe cuts in expenses. But at least she will not have to worry about a place to stay, as she gets to keep her flat.
Her husband, who could not keep up his maintenance payments after losing his job, is now in the process of transferring their three-room HDB unit in West Coast Road to her name.
The family gets help from the government and community organisations. But NTUC said many single mothers often do not know who to approach. Many are also confused over their legal rights.
Halimah Yacob, director, Women's Development Secretariat and deputy secretary-general, NTUC, elaborated: "Issues (such as) the custody of the children, or access to children... distribution of the matrimonial assets - these are some of the areas where the women are lacking, there is a gap.
"So when they are not aware of their rights, it is difficult for them to enforce these rights. And that affects their well-being as well as that of their children."
The reference guide by NTUC hopes to provide some answers. The book is called "Going Solo" but the point is that single mothers do not have to face their problems alone.
NTUC hopes that its efforts will help raise awareness of the difficulties they face, and go some way in removing the stigma of single parenthood.
NTUC said that the growing number of single moms is a concern. And many feel unfairly disadvantaged by public housing policies.
Madam Halimah said the policy may change in future but till then, more flexibility for single mothers is needed. - CNA/ms
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