STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF STATE (FOREIGN AFFAIRS) (TRADE & INDUSTRY) GAN SIOW HUANG AT THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN (FWCW) 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 UNHQ GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL

Madam Chair,
Distinguished Delegates, 

Introduction

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains a landmark global framework for achieving gender equality and women’s development.

As we commemorate its thirtieth anniversary, it is timely to reaffirm our shared commitment towards the goals.

For a small state like Singapore, where human capital is our only resource, empowering women and girls is not simply a matter of principle, it is vital to our social progress and economic resilience.

Singapore’s commitment to women’s rights began with the Women’s Charter in 1961.

White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development

Most recently, in 2022, the Singapore Parliament unanimously endorsed a White Paper on Singapore Women's Development, comprising concrete action plans to advance women’s development. Allow me to highlight three areas of progress since then.

Creating Fair and Inclusive Workplaces

First, to support women in the workplace, we are building fair and inclusive environments. The Singapore Parliament passed the landmark Workplace Fairness Act in January 2025, prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, marital status, pregnancy status, and caregiving responsibilities. This reinforces equal opportunities for women in the workforce. 

Strengthening Protections against Domestic Violence and Harm

Second, we are strengthening safeguards for women facing violence and abuse.  In 2023, amendments to the Women's Charter expanded protections for victim- survivors of domestic violence, and we also established a 24-hour Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team. 

Regulating Online Spaces

Third, we are stepping up efforts to improve digital safety for women. Later this year, we will introduce the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to better protect victims from online harms. A new Online Safety Commission will provide timely, accessible support to victims.

Conclusion

Madam Chair, 

Advancing women’s rights has been integral to Singapore’s development and our efforts have borne fruit. Singapore is honoured to be ranked among the top ten countries globally, and the first in Asia Pacific, for gender equality in the latest UN Human Development Report’s Gender Inequality Index. 

Today, more women are joining the workforce and are taking up leadership roles. Women make up almost 30% of our Parliament and over 22% of board positions in the top 100 companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. We are working steadily toward our target of 30% female board representation by 2030.

We remain committed to building a society where every woman can fulfil her potential and pursue her aspirations. 

Thank you.

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