The Evolution of Singapore's Approach to Gender-Related Policy

Abstract

The furthering of gender equality and women's rights in Singapore since pre-independence has been driven by four main factors: economic considerations; electoral support; ethical and human rights obligations; and legal provisions. In implementing universal basic education to ensure the state’s survival, the government inadvertently levelled the playing field between boys and girls in school and enabled greater women’s participation in the workforce. Political incentives, such as a desire to secure a new female electorate’s votes, also guided the enactment of policies that improved women’s status in Singapore. Compared to these two factors, ethical and human rights considerations were a secondary concern and only came into play in recent decades.