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Syarafana Shafeeq

Syarafana, or Fana for short, joined The Straits Times in 2021. As a journalist on the social affairs team, she covers issues such as family violence, mental health and disability. She is particularly interested in topics concerning women and children, and hopes to shed light on the struggles of vulnerable groups. 

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Latest articles

IPS study calls for earlier intervention, redesigned shelters to tackle long-term homelessness

ST20260107_202650300278 Kua Chee Siong/ sssleep09/ EMBARGOED TILL JAN 9, 2026.
Generic pix of the transitional shelter, Transit Point@Yio Chu Kang, on Jan 7, 2026.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) will be releasing the 2025 Report on the Street Count of Rough Sleepers and the Report on Ending Long-Term Homelessness, respectively.
The MSF report will highlight trends since the first street count of rough sleepers in 2022, whilst the IPS report will present findings on the multiple pathways into homelessness from their study conducted from 2021 to 2024.
Together, these reports provide insight into the current state and underlying causes of homelessness in Singapore.
ST20260107_202650300278 Kua Chee Siong/ sssleep09/ EMBARGOED TILL JAN 9, 2026.
Generic pix of the transitional shelter, Transit Point@Yio Chu Kang, on Jan 7, 2026.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) will be releasing the 2025 Report on the Street Count of Rough Sleepers and the Report on Ending Long-Term Homelessness, respectively.
The MSF report will highlight trends since the first street count of rough sleepers in 2022, whilst the IPS report will present findings on the multiple pathways into homelessness from their study conducted from 2021 to 2024.
Together, these reports provide insight into the current state and underlying causes of homelessness in Singapore.

Slightly fewer people recorded sleeping rough last year; new fund launched in S'pore to trial solutions

MSF announced a new $450,000 fund that would provide grants for organisations to trial solutions that address the underlying causes of rough sleeping.
MSF announced a new $450,000 fund that would provide grants for organisations to trial solutions that address the underlying causes of rough sleeping.

2026 outlook: What’s next for social sector and the top stories of 2025

The case of four-year-old Megan Khung’s death came under scrutiny in 2025, with MSF announcing measures to improve safeguards in the child protection system.
The case of four-year-old Megan Khung’s death came under scrutiny in 2025, with MSF announcing measures to improve safeguards in the child protection system.

More new cases of spousal, elder abuse in 2024 amid greater awareness of domestic violence

Elder abuse, involving those aged 65 and above, is often carried out by a family member or a caregiver whom the victim trusts, the report said.
Elder abuse, involving those aged 65 and above, is often carried out by a family member or a caregiver whom the victim trusts, the report said.

Number of child abuse cases in Singapore up in 2024, primary school kids make up biggest group

Posed photo of a young boy being tortured. [Generic photo for family violence, child abuse, stress]
Posed photo of a young boy being tortured. [Generic photo for family violence, child abuse, stress]

NUS Medicine students hold free health screenings in Queenstown to boost dementia awareness

ST20251206_202592700610 Azmi Athni ssdementia06//

Elderly participants at Project iRemember 2025, community health initiative led by NUS Medicine students to promote early dementia detection, at Queenstown Community Centre on Dec 6, 2025. 

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
ST20251206_202592700610 Azmi Athni ssdementia06//

Elderly participants at Project iRemember 2025, community health initiative led by NUS Medicine students to promote early dementia detection, at Queenstown Community Centre on Dec 6, 2025. 

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

New task force set up by Govt to support those with disabilities; Enabling Village opens new space

Vista, a four-storey block at the Enabling Village, officially opened on Dec 5.
Vista, a four-storey block at the Enabling Village, officially opened on Dec 5.

New tie-up to broaden career opportunities for Singapore College of Islamic Studies graduates

Singapore University of Social Sciences and Singapore College of Islamic Studies Memorandum of Understanding Signing CeremonY
Singapore University of Social Sciences and Singapore College of Islamic Studies Memorandum of Understanding Signing CeremonY

Young and on the streets: Number of under-35s rough sleeping on the rise in Singapore

Community groups and volunteers say they have seen an increase in the number of rough sleepers aged below 35.
Community groups and volunteers say they have seen an increase in the number of rough sleepers aged below 35.

1 in 3 pre-school educators in S’pore has no formal training to handle child abuse cases: Survey

Close to 19.3 per cent of educators said they were just aware of but not familiar with their centre’s SOPs.
Close to 19.3 per cent of educators said they were just aware of but not familiar with their centre’s SOPs.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.