White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development: Ong Ye Kung on 'equality to freedom of choice'
The recommendations in the White Paper are careful in recognising and striking the balance between championing equality, especially of opportunities and progression, and recognising the "beautiful differences" between men and women. "It is a wiser approach," said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 5). He pointed out that there are many practical initiatives - anti-discriminatory measures in the workplace, flexible working arrangements, stronger support for caregivers, allowing elective egg freezing and upholding stiffer penalties for sexual offences. Of particular importance are the moves to strengthen the family support infrastructure, which are empowering for women at various stages of their lives. He said that the future that Singapore envisions must be a society that dispels unconscious bias, promotes the right value of mutual respect between all individuals, upholds meritocracy, and provides as much support as possible to enable caregivers to find a better balance in their roles. This "equality to freedom of choice" is the "heart" of the White Paper, he said.
The recommendations in the White Paper are careful in recognising and striking the balance between championing equality, especially of opportunities and progression, and recognising the "beautiful differences" between men and women. "It is a wiser approach," said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 5). He pointed out that there are many practical initiatives - anti-discriminatory measures in the workplace, flexible working arrangements, stronger support for caregivers, allowing elective egg freezing and upholding stiffer penalties for sexual offences. Of particular importance are the moves to strengthen the family support infrastructure, which are empowering for women at various stages of their lives. He said that the future that Singapore envisions must be a society that dispels unconscious bias, promotes the right value of mutual respect between all individuals, upholds meritocracy, and provides as much support as possible to enable caregivers to find a better balance in their roles. This "equality to freedom of choice" is the "heart" of the White Paper, he said.