When she is on official business overseas, some people still walk past her, looking for their male counterpart, she said. 'At meals, they continue to seat us women together.'

In Singapore too, she encountered the traditional male mindset. Most grassroots leaders had to get used to her when she became an MP in 1997.

Mrs Lim, 50, a newly appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, yesterday personalised the challenges of women when she addressed 800 teenage girls at the first National Young Women Leaders' Day.

But she also made a larger point to the girls aged 12 to 16: Leadership and influence are possible, even at an early age.

'Leadership is by and large gender-neutral,' she said.

It has to do with one being competent and 'dynamic enough to inspire and lead a group of people', she added.

Mrs Lim is also the Second Minister for Transport as well as Finance.

The day-long event was organised by Halogen Foundation Singapore, which trains youth for leadership.

The non-profit organisation was partnered by the Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS), whose pupils formed half the rapt audience.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.