Singapore marked a significant presence at the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, showcasing its strides in gender equality and empowerment of women.
Singapore’s Minister of State for the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Home Affairs, Ms. Sun Xueling, played a pivotal role at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held from March 11 to 14, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in New York. During this session, Singapore was recognized in the UN’s Human Development Report as the only Asia-Pacific country among the top 10 for gender equality progress under the Gender Inequality Index (GII). This distinction underscores Singapore’s efforts and advancements in championing the rights and development of women.
Ms. Sun delivered Singapore’s National Statement, emphasizing the country’s whole-of-society approach to advancing women’s development and strengthening family institutions. She highlighted key initiatives, such as the enhancement of Government-paid paternity leave and flexible work arrangements, aimed at fostering equal partnerships between women and men in both work and caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, she pointed out efforts to uplift lower-income families, particularly women and girls, through social support systems like preschool subsidies and targeted assistance programs.
Participating in a Ministerial Roundtable, Ms. Sun shared Singapore’s practices in bolstering institutions and financing to achieve gender equality, focusing on improving access to education and lifelong learning for women and girls, especially in STEM fields.
Representing ASEAN countries, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, as the Chair of ASEAN, delivered a statement reiterating the region’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, highlighted by the ASEAN Declaration on Gender Equality and Family Development.
Singapore also led a side event in partnership with Singapore Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), demonstrating its approach to empowering women at home, in the workplace, and the community. This event shed light on the importance of changing mindsets and breaking stereotypes to achieve gender equality.
Additionally, a collaborative side event with Indonesia on “Gender Equality and Family Development in Southeast Asia” presented best practices and partnership approaches to promoting gender equality and family development in the region, featuring discussions with counterparts from Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Malaysia.
The successful participation of Singapore at the CSW reflects the nation’s dedicated and comprehensive efforts toward enhancing family support systems and driving forward the development of women, showcasing a model of gender equality progress to the world.
Source – MSF
