Singapore

WITH 17 People's Action Party (PAP) women MPs already in Parliament, the groundwork has begun towards beefing up the ranks with at least half a dozen more - starting with the upcoming General Election, due by early-2012.But even as PAP Women's Wing chairman Lim Hwee Hua (picture) spelt out her hopes of "gradually" having women make up 30 per cent of MPs in Parliament, she cautioned against setting a minimum quota and using the Women's Wing as a lobby group.

At a "Women's Choices, Women's Lives" conference on March 5, participants drew up a "wish-list" of 100 recommendations for gender equity in Singapore. At the top of the list of 10 key proposals was that at least 30 percent of seats in Parliament should be reserved for women; followed by wishes for an ombudsman to ensure equal opportunities, that the Singapore Constitution be changed to prohibit gender discrimination, and for policies and legislation to be reviewed so that they promote "an equitable and sustainable work-life balance for both women and men".

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) on Wednesday introduced its first new woman candidate for the coming General Election. 45-year-old Ms Foo Mee Har is the global head of premium banking for Standard Chartered Bank. Ms Foo joined the PAP in 2010 and has been helping out at the Cashew division in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. She has taken part in various community events and Meet-the-People Sessions. Ms Foo has also been inducted into the PAP executive committee as assistant secretary to the Women's Wing.

The PAP Women's Wing is calling for more women participation in Parliament - to make up at least 30 per cent. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua said this at the launch of the Women's Wing's new vision, mission and logo on Saturday. She said as more women take on leadership positions in work and business, she hopes the trend is reflected in Parliament as well. In 1996, the number of elected women MPs was at 5 per cent. But this year the number has jumped to 23 per cent, and looks set to keep on growing.

Her defeat in the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency electoral battle means that "the score (for female full Cabinet ministers) has now dropped back to zero again" but Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said she would continue to encourage women to participate in politics. Mrs Lim, who is concurrently Second Minister for Finance and Transport, is also optimistic that "it won't be too long" before Singapore sees another female full Cabinet minister.