STEREOTYPES, EXPECTATIONS

A battle beyond the ballot box for S'pore's women MPs

- Goh Yan Han

Having a woman in charge is "not so good" for a political party. Your child will do better if you stay home, instead of being a busy MP. Speak firmly in Parliament, but not aggressively – and make sure you dress well.

These comments – made to female politicians in Singapore – represent attitudes that need to change for more women to step into the political spotlight, four MPs told The Straits Times.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Ms Rachel Ong, Ms Sylvia Lim and Ms Hazel Poa are among a growing group of women who have represented Singaporeans since the nation achieved self-governance in 1959.

That year, five women were elected into the 51-member Legislative Assembly – four from the People's Action Party (PAP) and one from the Singapore People's Alliance.

Now, women account for three in 10 MPs, or 26 of 89 elected and non-constituency seats.

And political parties are aiming to get even more women into politics.

At the PAP Women's Wing conference in August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he hoped to field more women candidates in the general election in 2025. They bring different perspectives and working styles to the table, he said.

But it has been a Herculean task for parties on both sides of the aisle.

The four MPs told ST that factors they had considered before stepping into the political spotlight included expectations from themselves and others, as well as securing the agreement of their loved ones.

Ms Rahayu is the only political office-holder among the four. The demands on her time stem from her role as Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health, as well as being a mother to a special-needs child, among others.

For West Coast GRC MP Ong, joining politics was about putting her businesses in order first.

There is further pressure on women such as Ms Lim and Ms Poa, who take on leadership roles in their parties.