http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_347571.html
International women's day
Help for single mums
By Zakir Hussain
Apart from helping those out of work to find jobs, NTUC's Women's Development Secretariat (WDS) will encourage those who cannot go out to work to make use of other skills, like baking or sewing, to help themselves generate an income. -- PHOTO: BH
SINGLE mothers, who are likely to face a tough time in the current downturn, are the focus of a new project by the labour movement launched on Sunday to mark International Women's Day.
Among other things, they will get help finding a job, and also be able to join support groups that arrange activities for them and their children in these trying times.
The project, called 'WeCare for U' - U forms the logo of the National Trades Union Congress, NTUC and is meant to represent every worker - was launched by labour chief Lim Swee Say.
It aims to reach out to divorcees, widows and other single mothers who not only have a tougher time juggling work and family, but find it hard to get help, said Madam Suseela Singaram, a union leader and key driver of the project.
'As long as you are a single mum with children, we want to assist you,' said the deputy general secretary (correct) of the Union of Power and Gas Employees.
Apart from helping those out of work to find jobs, NTUC's Women's Development Secretariat (WDS) will encourage those who cannot go out to work to make use of other skills, like baking or sewing, to help themselves generate an income.
'The lack of a steady source of income is one of the greatest difficulties experienced by single mothers who face an uphill task in securing maintenance or whose maintenance payments are not sufficient to support them and their children,' said WDS director Halimah Yacob.
Comprehensive figures on the number of single mothers here are not available, but estimates run into the thousands.
Last year alone, there were 7,220 divorces and 1,700 applicants - mostly women - for enforcement of maintenance orders from divorced spouses.
The WDS is also working with the Law Society of Singapore to produce a comprehensive guidebook so single mothers know how and where to find legal help.
The booklet will include material on custody, care and maintenance of children, where to seek help for family violence, and the telephone numbers of various support organisations.
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
International women's day
Help for single mums
By Zakir Hussain
Apart from helping those out of work to find jobs, NTUC's Women's Development Secretariat (WDS) will encourage those who cannot go out to work to make use of other skills, like baking or sewing, to help themselves generate an income. -- PHOTO: BH
SINGLE mothers, who are likely to face a tough time in the current downturn, are the focus of a new project by the labour movement launched on Sunday to mark International Women's Day.
Among other things, they will get help finding a job, and also be able to join support groups that arrange activities for them and their children in these trying times.
The project, called 'WeCare for U' - U forms the logo of the National Trades Union Congress, NTUC and is meant to represent every worker - was launched by labour chief Lim Swee Say.
It aims to reach out to divorcees, widows and other single mothers who not only have a tougher time juggling work and family, but find it hard to get help, said Madam Suseela Singaram, a union leader and key driver of the project.
'As long as you are a single mum with children, we want to assist you,' said the deputy general secretary (correct) of the Union of Power and Gas Employees.
Apart from helping those out of work to find jobs, NTUC's Women's Development Secretariat (WDS) will encourage those who cannot go out to work to make use of other skills, like baking or sewing, to help themselves generate an income.
'The lack of a steady source of income is one of the greatest difficulties experienced by single mothers who face an uphill task in securing maintenance or whose maintenance payments are not sufficient to support them and their children,' said WDS director Halimah Yacob.
Comprehensive figures on the number of single mothers here are not available, but estimates run into the thousands.
Last year alone, there were 7,220 divorces and 1,700 applicants - mostly women - for enforcement of maintenance orders from divorced spouses.
The WDS is also working with the Law Society of Singapore to produce a comprehensive guidebook so single mothers know how and where to find legal help.
The booklet will include material on custody, care and maintenance of children, where to seek help for family violence, and the telephone numbers of various support organisations.
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
