IN COMMEMORATION of International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on the 8th of March, we look back at the creation of the PAP Women’s Wing.
In an era when Singapore’s women were not often heard on the national level, the newly-formed PAP Women’s Wing (WW) was where they could effectively speak up on issues affecting them, and their families.
A brainchild of Mr Goh Chok Tong, then-Assistant Secretary-General of the PAP, the Women’s Wing was kickstarted by then-MP Aline Wong (Tampines GRC). It has grown into one of the largest — and most recognisable! — groups in the PAP.
As Petir recently discovered, the Women’s Wing continues this strong advocacy, most recently fighting for better Flexible Work Arrangements for women in Singapore.
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November 1988
The Party is to have a Women’s Wing to raise their political, economic and social consciousness. It will provide a forum for women to discuss national issues of particular relevance to them and their families.
Through the Women’s Wing, the Party hopes to encourage more women to join the PAP movement.
Heading the Women’s Wing is Dr Aline Wong, MP for Tampines GRC. As with the Youth Wing, set up two years ago, the Women’s Wing is a brainchild of Mr Goh Chok Tong, Assistant Secretary-General of the Party.
At the Youth Wing Convention in 1987, two delegates spoke fervently about the need for greater involvement by women in politics, and in decision-making. After all, women form half our population.
In an interview published in the Oct 87 issue of PETIR, Mr Goh said they have made a valid point. He said: “After we have got the Youth Wing on a self-sustaining flight, we can consider forming a Women’s Section.”
Mr Goh asked Dr Aline Wong to prepare a concept paper on a Women’s WIng. The paper was recently approved by the Party’s Central Executive Committee.
In the paper, Dr Wong says women play a major role in bringing up children, transmitting cultural values, taking care of the young, the old and the sick.
As such, they are an important action group in support of our national objectives to develop a highly integrated and caring society, and to preserve our traditional Asian values, particularly the importance of the family as a basic unit in society.
The paper points out that many of our social policies affect directly and indirectly the lives of women as members of the workforce — as wives, mothers and individuals.
Therefore, we need to provide additional channels of communication whereby women can express their aspirations and concerns over policies that affect them.
The Party also recognises that activities that cater to women’s social, educational and recreational needs are also an effective means of drawing more women into our Party membership, particularly those in the older age groups not catered to by the Youth Wing.
Through encouraging women to join and become more actively involved in our political activities, we can help them develop leadership qualities and skills, says the concept paper.
Like the Youth Wing, the focus of the Women’s Wing should be on political awareness and activities. It does not aim to draw women away from the various women’s groups such as those formed under the CCMC by “competing” with them in providing social, educational and recreational activities.
It also does not aim to draw younger women away from the Youth Wing.
The focus of the Women’s Wing is to provide an additional forum for women of all age groups and social backgrounds to discuss issues and policies that have particular relevance to women and their families.
The concept paper envisages the setting up of a Panel of Resource Persons to:
- Help identify issues and priorities of concern;
- Provide expertise in such areas and lead discussions;
- Give regular feedback on the implementation of Government policies on women and their families.
The CEC has appointed Dr Aline Wong to head the Women’s Wing.
