STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 61ST SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, 13-24 MARCH 2017

Mr Chair,

               Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered by Ecuador on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Vietnam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

               Singapore welcomes the theme for the CSW this year: “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work”.  Globalisation, digital innovation and technological improvements are changing the world in which we work.  This poses both challenges as well as opportunities for women at the workplace.  It is therefore timely for the CSW to discuss this key issue and to consider concrete steps that we can each take to build a more inclusive society where women are empowered and have equal opportunities to contribute to society.  This is important if we want to achieve the goals we set for ourselves in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr Chair,

               As a small city state with few natural resources, we have always given priority to developing our most valued resources – our people, both women and men.  A key policy plank of our government is to provide our people with equal opportunities to succeed in life.  The Singapore Government is particularly committed to the advancement of women as integral and equal members of our society.

               I am particularly pleased to say that we have made good progress in advancing women’s role in society, particularly in the workplace.  Our resident employment rate for females in the prime working ages of 25 to 54 was 79.6% in 2015.  Our literacy rate for females was 95.2% in 2015.  Today, just over half of our university graduates are women.  Women have also made great inroads into previously male-dominated professions such as the legal, engineering, medicine and accounting professions and made significant contributions in scientific research and development.  Women also formed an increasing proportion of employers in Singapore – about 27.8% in 2016. 

               But we are not resting on our laurels.  We know that there is much more to be done.  This is particularly so given the rapid changes brought about by globalisation and the digital and technological revolution.  The Government is therefore taking proactive steps to create an enabling environment for women and to engage citizens as well as the private and public sectors to empower women to fulfil their aspirations.

               First, we place great emphasis on education, skills development and lifelong learning.  Singapore has sought to improve women’s educational and skills profile, provide employment and training assistance.  In our view, access to a balanced and well-rounded education is key in levelling the playing field for all Singaporeans, regardless of gender.  That is why the government set up the SkillsFuture Council to steer the national movement for all Singaporeans to develop deep specialist skills and mastery in their respective fields. 

               Second, to encourage women to enter and remain in the workforce as well as help women better balance their careers and family, the Government has taken measures to promote work-life harmony and flexible work arrangements.  We have taken steps to enhance parental leave benefits, so as to provide longer paid maternity leave and childcare leave for mothers and fathers, as well as financial support for parents to raise and care for their children.  We have also provided affordable, quality and accessible child care and elder care services.

               Third, the Singapore government has worked with employers and unions to take concerted efforts to promote fair, responsible and merit-based employment practices.  Singapore ratified the ILO Convention No. 100 on Equal Remuneration in 2002, reinforcing inclusive and non-discriminatory workplaces for women.  In 2015, the government introduced the Protection from Harassment Act.  A range of civil remedies and criminal sanctions is available to better protect both men and women from harassment and related anti-social behaviour in the workplace and other public spaces.

               Fourth, we have taken steps to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions.  A Diversity Action Committee was formed in 2014 to build up women’s representation on boards of companies in Singapore, and expand the pool of board-ready women.  Using a multi-stakeholder approach, the Committee has introduced various initiatives such as raising awareness of the business case for having more women on boards and encouraging board chairs to look beyond the usual pool of male-dominated candidates.  The Government is also leading by example.  In Singapore, women made up about 57% of employees in the Civil Service, comprising almost two-thirds of the top two categories of Civil Service positions.  The representation of women in the Singapore Parliament has also increased steadily over the years.  After the last General Election in September 2015, women now occupy 23.9% or 22 out of 92 seats in the Singapore Parliament.  This percentage exceeds the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s world average of 22.5%. 

Mr Chair,

               McKinsey & Company has calculated that full gender equality would add 26 per cent or US$28 trillion to global gross domestic product in 2025.  The impact of the contributions of women cannot be ignored or underestimated.  I am confident that with the collective efforts of Member States, we can achieve greater gender equality and women’s empowerment.

               Thank you.

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