The Straits Times says

Timely review of issues affecting women

It is heartening that those interested in contributing to the review on women's issues will have more opportunities to do so since it will be extended until the second half of the year. About 100 more dialogues have been planned, after earlier sessions attracted more than 1,000 participants. The review has attracted strong interest. As a result, a White Paper that was supposed to be the culmination of all the discussions will now be pushed back from the first half of the year to the second half instead. The comprehensive review of issues affecting women was announced last September, with the ultimate aim of bringing about a cultural and mindset change on values such as gender equality and respect for women.

Observers note that women here have made substantial progress in the past decades in areas ranging from access to education to participation in the workforce, business and politics. Nevertheless, entrenched gender attitudes, including among women themselves, are hard to uproot. These attitudes call into question how women are treated, perceived and represented in the social sphere. Traditional roles and gender expectations continue to limit women's potential. For example, the Asian predisposition to see a woman's place as being in the home and not the workplace means that those who can excel in careers are still expected by some to earn and, additionally, maintain their primary credentials as caregivers.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.