Phrases used by parrots: "more can be done", "can do better"

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The most frequent user of this phrase is Rubber Stamper Halimah.
"There is no place in Singapore for violence against women, and more must be done to prevent such abuse and to support its victims, said President Halimah Yacob on Friday (March 18)."

More must be done to prevent violence against women: President Halimah​

President Halimah Yacob condemned the perpetrators of such abuse and the harm they cause. PHOTO: HALIMAH YACOB/FACEBOOK

Linette Lai
Health Correspondent

MAR 18, 2022, 10:20 PM SGT

SINGAPORE - There is no place in Singapore for violence against women, and more must be done to prevent such abuse and to support its victims, said President Halimah Yacob on Friday (March 18).
Speaking at a fund-raising dinner organised by United Women Singapore (UWS) - a local non-profit organisation formerly known as the Singapore Committee for UN Women - she condemned the perpetrators of such abuse and the harm they cause.
"Such violence robs women of their dignity, inhibits their development, and prevents them from taking their right place in society," Madam Halimah said.
"Often, it's not just the women who suffer. The worst victims are their children, whose lives are disrupted and future compromised."
Citing a 2019 survey jointly conducted by UWS and market research firm Ipsos, President Halimah noted that three in 10 Singaporeans say they have experienced domestic abuse, or know someone who has.
Even so, 40 per cent of the population are apathetic on the issue as they think it rarely occurs - demonstrating a lack of awareness, she said.
The Say No To The Oppression of Women dinner - or Snow for short - was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, and saw around 300 guests, including Minister of State for Social and Family Development and for Education Sun Xueling.

In her speech, Madam Halimah outlined efforts by the Government to protect women from harm.
These include instilling values of respect at home, reinforcing them in school and making sure they are upheld at the workplace.
Punishments for offenders should also serve as a sufficient deterrent and be commensurate with the harm they inflict, Madam Halimah added.
The courts have been able to deal with sex offenders more severely since March 1, when amendments to the law kicked in.
Lastly, the recommendations of the Taskforce on Family Violence will help enhance protection for people who face such abuse and raise greater awareness of such violence.
President Halimah lauded the work that UWS and other social service organisations do, adding: "Such efforts must be reinforced by policies and institutions that foster a strong culture of safety and respect in our society."

Ms Sun also took part in a dialogue with UWS president Georgette Tan on women's development in Singapore. It touched on topics such as parenthood, education and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) careers.
She stressed the importance of role models, especially when it comes to women in Stem fields. "It's one thing for us to discuss it in the classroom, but it's quite another for the student to actually see it happening in the corporate world, and have role models to look up to."

 

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"...said President Halimah Yacob in a Facebook post on Friday (July 23), as she called for more to be done to support and understand the youth."

More can be done for youth facing mental health issues: President Halimah​

Society imposes high expectations on the young, particularly on those who seem to be doing well academically. PHOTO: ST FILE

Goh Yan Han

JUL 23, 2021, 11:20 AM SGT

SINGAPORE - Parents, schools and society are ill equipped to deal with young people who are struggling with mental health issues, said President Halimah Yacob in a Facebook post on Friday (July 23), as she called for more to be done to support and understand the youth.
She noted that the impact of mental illness when the onset is at a very young age is usually a lot more severe than when someone gets it much later in life.
Her post comes after the alleged murder of a 13-year-old boy by a 16-year-old boy at River Valley High School on Monday.
It was revealed in court that the 16-year-old had been referred to the Institute of Mental Health two years ago because of a suicide attempt.
Said Madam Halimah: "Attempted suicides are a real cry for help. We don't know the full details, particularly whether he had continued to receive psychiatric help or medication in order to deal with his mental health after that episode.
"We also don't know whether it was due to school or there are other factors affecting him as the causes of mental breakdowns are numerous and sometimes there are more than one factor at play."
She added: "We do know however that parents, schools and our society are ill equipped to deal with this situation."

For parents, the great difficulty is in not knowing whether the child is perhaps going through a growth phase, as "all adolescents with growth hormones raging through their bodies sometimes act out", or whether it is because of something much deeper, she said.
For teachers, already overloaded with work, it is not possible to delve deeply into the issues affecting one child, which will require close monitoring, observation and engagement, said Madam Halimah, noting that there are school counsellors but they may not be well trained on issues affecting mental health.
She also pointed out that society imposes high expectations on the young, particularly on those who seem to be doing well academically.

"We expect to see a linear progression in their performance with no interruption whatsoever, like some well-oiled machinery. Parents compare all the time. We often say that a well-developed, healthy child is better than a troubled child who seems to be shooting all As but is suffering, but we actually send different signals to them," she said.
Sometimes, children with mental health issues may need some time off from school, but the dilemma for parents is what to do with the child at home for a whole year, she said.
She questioned if there were programmes to make it easier for parents to ensure that the child with mental health issues staying at home is meaningfully engaged and not just receiving psychiatric treatment or medication.
Madam Halimah also noted that parents fear the stigma that mental health attracts.
She said: "There is still so much ignorance, stereotype and prejudice in our society against people with mental health issues that parents fear doing more harm than good to their children's future by seeking treatment that they delay with disastrous consequences."

She also said schools need a lot more resources and support to help students with mental health issues.
One way would be for them to partner social service agencies dealing with mental wellness, which could help to run programmes that educate students on mental well-being, she said.
"Some institutes of higher learning have also embedded programmes on mental health to support their students that are quite effective, and which they can share with schools. We could also study the experience of other countries with more developed systems of support for our reference," she said.
"It takes a tragedy like this to start us thinking deeply again about the mental health of our young. Most of our children can cope, are resilient and will grow up well. But not all children are the same. Some do need more help and not just from the school but from everyone."

 

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Review of women’s issues: Position of women in S'pore has improved but more can be done, says Shanmugam​

There are 28 women MPs in Parliament out of a total of 95 seats - a proportion of about 29 per cent, higher than the Inter-Parliamentary Union's world average of 24.5 per cent, says Minister K. Shanmugam. PHOTO: GOV.SG

Lim Min Zhang


SEP 21, 2020

Through collective efforts over the years, the position of women in Singapore society has improved significantly in areas such as education, representation in Parliament and contributions to the economy, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam.
Other efforts, he said, helped plug gaps in areas that affected women - such as the Penal Code amendments last year that specifically addressed voyeurism, among other things, and the formation of an inter-agency task force earlier this year to combat family violence and protect victims.
However, there are still areas where the advancement of women's interests is a "work in progress", and part of the issue remains structural, he added.
Mr Shanmugam, in a speech yesterday, announced a comprehensive review of issues affecting gender inequality that will culminate in a White Paper to be delivered in the first half of next year.
It is the continuation of a journey that started many years ago, with a key point being the passing of the Women's Charter in 1961 - before Singapore's independence.
The charter was landmark legislation during its time, said Mr Shanmugam, and it provided for monogamous marriage and the rights and duties of married persons at a time when polygamous marriage was commonplace.
As the key piece of legislation governing women's rights, the charter has been amended over the years, such as in 2016 and last year, to better support vulnerable women or girls in family violence and crisis situations, as well as strengthen law enforcement against online vice, he added.

Other than the Women's Charter, new laws have also been added to protect women's interests.
These include amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act in 2018 to reduce trauma inflicted on victims during the criminal justice process, and changes to the Penal Code last year which repealed marital immunity for rape, among other things.
Said Mr Shanmugam: "We also made the process easier for women to lodge reports and obtain justice." One example, he added, was the establishment of the OneSafe Centre by the police for victims of sexual assault to undergo forensic and medical examination in one place with greater privacy.

The Family Violence Taskforce, set up earlier this year, will complete its study and provide recommendations next year, he added.

Mr Shanmugam said women have done well in many sectors, such as medicine, law, accountancy, finance, and some aspects of the knowledge economy. "But there are areas where it is still work in progress," he added.
Referring to the Council for Board Diversity formed in 2014 to address the under-representation of women in board positions, he said women on boards of the top 100 companies on the Singapore Exchange was 7.5 per cent in 2013.
That increased to 16.2 per cent last year.
Part of the problem, Mr Shanmugam said, was structural.
He added that working women are often forced to make a choice between work and family - a difficult decision that men seldom have to confront.
"We want women to be presented with real choices, unencumbered by unequal expectations on the roles of men and women in society," he said.
To help, the Government has promoted flexible work arrangements to give working mothers more choices to remain in the workforce, while balancing family responsibilities, he said.


"Improved accessibility and affordability of infant care and childcare will help to give working mothers more choices to remain in the workforce, and peace of mind when they go to work."
In March last year, the budget to incentivise companies to adopt flexible work arrangements - called the Work-Life Grant - was increased from $30 million to $100 million, the minister noted.
Still, Singapore has done "fairly well", he said.
He noted that there were 28 women MPs in Parliament out of a total of 95 seats - a proportion of about 29 per cent.
"This is higher than the Inter-Parliamentary Union's world average of 24.5 per cent."
Mr Shanmugam said: "The outcome of this process is not just a White Paper with recommendations, but it has got to be a clear message to every young girl today, and in the future, that Singapore will always be a place where they can achieve their fullest potential."

 

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Football: More can be done to raise refereeing levels, says former Fifa referee​

The FAS could also look at widening its database to provide a more in-depth assessment of a referee's performance. PHOTO: AFP

David Lee

MAR 16, 2022

SINGAPORE - While many in the local football fraternity are in favour of implementing the video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), more can be done in the interim to raise the standard of refereeing, said a Singaporean former Fifa referee with 20 years of experience.
The official, who declined to be named, offered some suggestions for the SPL.

1. Increase the pool of referees​

VAR involves a separate team of officials in an operation room to monitor proceedings, which increases the manpower required.
There are currently 33 referees listed on the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) website, with 12 Fifa-level referees - a dip from 15 in 2017. As they are part-timers, not all of them are readily available and only one is VAR-trained.
The former referee said: "If there are only just enough referees to go around, even if they don't perform, they will still get games to officiate. But if there is more competition, it will be the ones who perform who will get more games." Noting that the Asian Football Confederation Champions League pays an allowance of around US$300 (S$409) per match, he felt the SPL allowance can be increased from its current rate of about $200 to attract more people.
He said: "Some may say it is already a lot, but people don't see the hard work that goes behind it. We do this out of passion, and even if we are not professional referees, our mindset has to be. Most of us have day jobs and we have to run late at night or early in the morning to keep in shape, and this takes time and effort beyond the 90 minutes."

2. Enhance tracking capabilities​

The FAS could also look at widening its database to provide a more in-depth assessment of a referee's performance.

The former referee said: "As far as I know, the data available now is quite basic. It would help to track things like distance covered and number of sprints made, just like top clubs do for players.
"Such information will allow the referees department and referees themselves to understand more about their performance, see what their strengths and weaknesses are and hopefully motivate them to improve."

3. Go back to basics​

Referees have to make correct split-second decisions, and focus and communication are key.
The former referee said: "It is not like referees don't know what constitutes offside.
"But when there is an incident like the disallowed Tampines goal, the assistant must quickly assess if the player was interfering with play, and if there is any doubt, the referees should consult one another, which I feel was lacking."

 

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More can be done to help Singapore's 'Generation Covid': Desmond Choo​

"Generation Covid" loosely refers to those from late childhood to early adulthood who are coming of age during the pandemic. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Prisca Ang

MAR 1, 2022

SINGAPORE - More can be done to help younger Singaporeans navigate the changing landscape caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, said National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) assistant secretary-general Desmond Choo.
These Singaporeans are part of Generation Covid - loosely referring to those from late childhood to early adulthood who are coming of age during the pandemic - who face unique challenges, he said during his Budget debate speech in Parliament on Tuesday (March 1).
Some of them find their skills have eroded substantially even before they graduate, he said. "Others are graduating into depressed sectors such as tourism-related industries. Yet others majoring in oil and gas are entering the decarbonisation era. Reskilling and rapid adaptation is the new game."
The Government can consider expanding the reach of SkillsFuture, said Mr Choo, who is also an MP for Tampines GRC.
"The much shorter economic cycles require us to consider lowering the minimum age for SkillsFuture. In addition, we can also increase subsidies for targeted SkillsFuture courses, especially those that support young Singaporeans to explore industries in growth economies," he said.
SkillsFuture Credit enables all eligible Singaporeans aged 25 and above to acquire new skills or improve existing ones.
Many younger Singaporeans may also need a more significant skills upgrade, via a second subsidised diploma or degree, owing to the shifting skills landscape, he added.

"There is merit to such bigger moves because some skills acquisition just cannot be done through micro-courses," said Mr Choo, noting that every Singaporean can currently get one subsidised diploma and/or degree.
There is also greater industry emphasis on soft skills such as career management and interpersonal skills, and some of these are better picked up through the sharing of experiences instead of courses, he said.
Mr Choo noted that mentorship will be especially valuable for younger people from lower- and middle-income families who might not have easy access to mentors unlike their better-off counterparts.


He cited nascent efforts such as the Lit Mentorship initiative by Young NTUC, the labour movement's youth wing, and the WeConnect 2.0 platform by the Mentoring Alliance For Action.
"But for the Singaporean workforce to differentiate itself from competitors, we must see mentorship as a national capability," he said.
Tripartite partners such as NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation can also develop national centres of excellence for mentorship because of their deep industry connections, Mr Choo added.

Noting that young workers have often asked about the possibility of a one-stop centre that houses career counselling, mentorship, internships and employment opportunities, he asked if the Government could consider working with tripartite partners to develop such a capability.
"Generation Covid is perhaps the most outspoken, educated and progressive citizenry in the world... They hold different aspirations for Singapore and have a stronger sense of social justice and activism," said Mr Choo, who noted that many have founded mutual aid networks to help the less fortunate.
They are also increasingly seeking to advance such issues not only through their personal lives but also their professional work, he said, adding that NTUC is working towards a deeper understanding of their aspirations and needs.
Mr Choo also highlighted mental health as an issue that people in Generation Covid feel strongly about and said they place more importance on having a balance between work and mental wellness.

Noting there is space for more conversations about mental health, he said: "Key stakeholders, such as employers, must remain sensitive and understanding towards persons struggling with mental health issues."
He added that the labour movement will work closely with its tripartite partners to champion mental health in the workplace. "We can consider establishing a code of practice for WFH (work from home) and increasing peer-to-peer support as an avenue to advance mental wellness."
Mr Choo said: "Generation Covid are the future leaders of Singapore. We need to address their anxieties and worries and, importantly, work with them to fulfil their potential to the fullest."

 

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More can be done to train older workers with raising of retirement and re-employment age: Tan See Leng​

Countries without the equivalent of a statutory retirement age do not necessarily have better employment rates for senior workers. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Sue-Ann Tan


NOV 2, 2021

SINGAPORE - The latest changes to the laws on retirement and re-employment age and to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme will help people to better prepare for and enjoy their retirement, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 2).
But he added that laws are not a panacea and that more work has to be done in training older workers way ahead of time.
With the new changes, the retirement and re-employment ages for Singapore workers will be progressively raised to 65 and 70 years old respectively to support older Singaporeans who wish to continue working to do so.
Meanwhile, various CPF rules will be streamlined and simplified to make it easier for members to receive their retirement payouts and build their nest egg.
Dr Tan said: "Together, the Bills will help our members better prepare for and enjoy their retirement.
"But the work does not stop here. We are confident that further progress on senior worker employment will be made."
For one, investments have to be made in retraining and facilitating employment, not only for older workers but also for future cohorts of senior workers, he said.

Dr Tan also agreed with labour MP Heng Chee How (Jalan Besar GRC) who said on Monday that strengthening the employability of senior workers cannot start only when they are near retirement age.
Initiatives like the company training committees by the labour union and structured career planning conversations are also important in preparing workers, Dr Tan added.
"Continuing education and training is just as important as pre-employment training, as a means for our workers to upgrade their skills, remain relevant, and keep pace with global trends and developments," he said.

Having said that, a statutory retirement age is still needed, Dr Tan noted, in response to remarks by Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC), Associate Professor Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) and Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang).
The tripartite work group had looked at other countries and found that those without the equivalent of a statutory retirement age do not necessarily have better employment rates for senior workers, despite some of them having anti-discrimination legislation, he said.
"Some progressive employers may take the initiative to abolish their internal retirement ages and allow workers to work as long as they wish, and we wholeheartedly applaud them," Dr Tan said.
"But as Mr Heng Chee How (Jalan Besar GRC) emphasised, the statutory retirement and re-employment age is still important as a floor and safeguard against employers who might not be as progressive."
Data also supports this, as Singapore's average effective retirement age had risen faster than the average laid out by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, he added.
"The plan to raise the retirement age and re-employment age to 65 and 70 respectively by the end of the decade is ambitious, but achievable," Dr Tan said, noting that while future adjustments will depend on economic conditions, the "resolve to stay the course is clear".

Meanwhile, more is also being done to tackle ageism, with progress being made by the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness, which Dr Tan co-chairs. It hopes to finalise recommendations by the first half of next year.
Dr Tan also touched on re-employment, in response to concerns from MPs that such contracts might not always be fair to senior workers.
"The re-employment framework is designed to balance the need to enable senior workers to continue working while giving employers sufficient flexibility so that businesses can remain nimble and sustainable," he said.

He added that the majority of re-employed workers continue on their existing contract or a new one in the same job, and more than 95 per cent employed in the same job did not get cut wages or benefits.
"Early communication and discussion are critical to ensure that re-employment offers are reasonable to both parties," he said, noting that tripartite guidelines say that companies should engage staff at least six months before they reach the retirement age.
"They should offer re-employment to eligible workers who are medically fit to perform any job within the company, not just their existing job role," he added.
Having chronic conditions that do not affect a worker's ability at the job cannot be used to justify denial of re-employment, he said.
"Even as we make these legislative changes today, we will also continue to work with tripartite partners to study best practices and review our framework where necessary to ensure its relevance," Dr Tan concluded.

 

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More can be done to promote gender equality in Singapore, says Grace Fu​

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu delivering her address at the International Women’s Day 2021 Conference on Feb 28, 2021. PHOTO: SCCCI

Malavika Menon


FEB 28, 2021

SINGAPORE - While the fact that more women are participating in economic activities reflects the evolution of gender relations in Singapore, more needs to be done to promote gender equality, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Sunday (Feb 28).
Ms Fu delivered her remarks on women's development during the International Women's Day 2021 Conference, which wasorganised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) on Sunday.
The hybrid event was held at the Trade Association Hub in Jurong Town Hall Road and streamed online.
Ms Fu said: "The increasing participation of women in economic activities and the growing number of women holding leadership positions in family businesses reflect the evolution of gender relations in our society. In the past, family businesses were typically inherited by men.
"We have seen positive changes on this front, with more balanced gender ratios in senior management in family businesses. However, there continues to be room for improvement when it comes to gender equality," she said.
During her address, Ms Fu also noted the importance of fostering conversations on gender equality among Singaporeans.
She said: "We need to ensure that diverse groups - including men, youth and seniors - have the opportunity to hear and appreciate one another's views, to deepen understanding on how we can foster greater gender equality.

"It is important to involve men so that they are exposed to different perspectives and can better understand the challenges faced by their mothers, wives and daughters, and help to bring about positive change," she added.
The conference included a panel discussion titled "Women Leadership in Driving Sustainable Family Businesses", which featured parents and daughters helming family businesses together discussing keys to success and the role of women in building businesses with enduring legacies and heritage.
The female participants of the panel included group head of corporate development at Luxasia Sabrina Chong, executive chairman and managing director of Health Management International Dr Gan See Khem, executive director and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Health Management International Chin Wei Jia and assistant manager of operations at Jumbo Group Ashley Ang
They discussed the importance of cultivating diversity within their organisations and equality-driven hiring practices.
The panellists also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on their organisations and how the pandemic has given businesses pause to restructure for a sustainable future.
The conference comes ahead of International Women's Day which falls on March 8.
SCCCI president Roland Ng who delivered the welcome speech at the event noted that International Women's Day should not be seen as a one-day celebration but a sustainable movement.
He said: "Let us use our fullest potential and work together to promote the development of more successful career women, to build a more cohesive, inclusive, cooperative, harmonious and stable society. Let us work hand in hand to embark on the new path of sustainability as we strive towards achieving economic prosperity of our nation."

 

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More can be done to empower athletes to help in NSA decision-making, says SNOC athletes' commission chair Mark Chay​

The issue of athlete representation in NSAs is in the spotlight following Singapore Athletics' extraordinary general meeting on July 13, 2020. PHOTO: SINGAPORE ATHLETICS/FACEBOOK

Sazali Abdul Aziz
Correspondent

JUL 19, 2020

SINGAPORE - Local athletes have more say in their national bodies than ever before, but more can be done to empower them at the executive level so they are able to effect change.
Mark Chay, who chairs the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) athletes' commission, says that for this to happen requires one word: trust.
There is some form of athlete representation in 13 of the 64 national sports associations (NSAs) in Singapore, but only three are involved in decision-making at the executive level, for example in management committees (MC).
Chay, a former national swimmer, said: "I've spoken to many of the NSAs and I know which are receptive (to the idea of ) and which are not.
"There is the idea from those that are not, that the athletes' representatives will use the opportunity to gain information and undermine (NSA leadership)... and so they just don't trust their athletes enough.
"There may also be a situation where NSAs cannot find a suitable representative (but)... from everything I have hear, I think it really is mainly about trust. And NSA leaders have to really open their minds if this were to happen."
The issue of athlete representation in NSAs is in the spotlight following Singapore Athletics' (SA) extraordinary general meeting last Monday, in which the track and field fraternity tabled a proposal to remove voting rights for its athletes' commission representative. The proposed amendment remains unresolved.

The purpose of such commissions or representatives is to represent the voice of athletes in their respective NSAs, serving as a link to management so sportsmen and women can articulate their concerns or feedback.

MARGINAL IMPROVEMENT​

Chay says the overall landscape has been seen an improvement; when he was elected SNOC athletes' commission chair in 2017, just one NSA - the Singapore Swimming Association - had an athletes' commission.
There are now seven. The governing bodies for athletics, badminton, canoeing, gymnastics, silat and table tennis have since formed respective athletes' committees or commissions. The Singapore Disability Sports Council also has one.


Six NSAs - bowling, cycling, fencing, rugby, sailing and tennis - also formally recognised athlete representatives.
A spokesman for Sport Singapore (SportSG) told The Straits Times: "More NSAs are expected to form their own athletes' commission as recommended by SportSG's model NSA constitution."

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The national sports agency has told ST that it is supporting efforts by the NSAs "to professionalise and strengthen their governance" and that it has "provided guidance through a set of Governance Principles for NSAs and a template of a model constitution" to help them revise their respective charters.
However, only athletics, tennis and canoeing have these representatives in their respective MCs.

A STEP BACKWARDS​

SA's bid to remove its athletes' representative's voting rights, therefore, is seen as a step backwards by some.
Chay was disheartened by SA's proposed change.
"I thought that giving their athletes a voice and a vote (in 2019) was a very progressive thing, and going back now is regressive," said Chay.
"My conversations with SA (on the matter) have also been disappointing because from what I understand, SA is mooting the change because of one individual.
"But if you are unhappy with an individual, deal with that individual, don't change the system. To do this is to take away the vote of the people they are supposed to serve."
National marathoner Soh Rui Yong, who has sued SA for defamation last year over its statement on his non-selection for the 2019 SEA Games, said that athlete representation at the executive level is vital to help sportsmen and women deal with "on the ground challenges" in the modern sport which he believes some on Singapore Athletics' MC are "out of touch with".
"The athletes' (representative) is just as important if not more so than the other members as they (represent)... the most important stakeholders in this sport - the athletes," added Soh.
"In the SA (general meeting on Monday), I believe (honorary secretary) Eric Song said that the athletes' commission need not have voting rights, and can still have their voice heard at the table. To me, that is rubbish.
"As it is, it doesn't look to me like that MC listens to the athletes' commission when it does have voting rights. What more when it doesn't?"
SA has told ST that the decision to revoke the athletes' commission representative's voting rights was done with a broader principle in mind - that non-elected members of its MC or board, who were not democratically elected by the association's clubs, should not be given a vote.
Soh, who won the marathon at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games, added that he believed every NSA should have not just one but two athlete representatives - one male and one female - with both accorded voting rights at executive level.

OTHER AVENUES AVAILABLE​

SSA president Lee Kok Choy described his association's relationship with its athletes' commission, which is currently headed by Pang Sheng Jun, as "productive and valuable".
Yet he stops short at exhorting for all NSAs to have official athlete representation.
"I think it's definitely good and important for the athletes' voice to be heard, but the means would be dependent on the structure of the organisation," he said.
"It could be a commission, a single representative, or an equivalent - the main consideration is that problems must be heard and issues must be addressed.
"Different sports have different considerations, so I would rather not be too prescriptive."
He added that having an athletes' representative at MC level might not be the most optimal approach, as it would require them to be a part of "support work" done by the NSA such as working with sponsors, or strategising coaching certifications, which do not have a direct impact on athletes' well-being.
In football, former national defenders R. Sasikumar, and then Hafiz Osman, tried but failed to set up players' unions to safeguard the interests of players, many of whom ply their trade in the Singapore Premier League (SPL).
The SPL is the only professional national sports league in Singapore, and there have been numerous contractual disputes between clubs and players since the league was started in 1996, when it was known as the S-League.
A Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesman told ST that while it does not have official athlete representation in the NSA, it has established various standing committees - such as the players' status committee and players' welfare committee - to look into different areas of the local football ecosystem.
Added the spokesman: "The majority of these standing committees are led by and/or consist of members of the current FAS council, of which three are ex-international players (Razali Saad, Lim Tong Hai and Yakob Hashim).
"Although retired from active play, they remain a key conduit for active players, and having gone through similar experiences themselves, they are able to relate to the current players and ensure that their interests are taken care of."

 

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Business leaders can do more to bridge social divides: Heng Swee Keat​

Singapore not immune to global challenges, and is renewing its social compact, he says​

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat speaking during a dialogue, moderated by international broadcaster Nik Gowing, during the Singapore Summit on Sept 20, 2019. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Adrian Lim
Political Correspondent

SEP 21, 2019

Business leaders need to do more than ever to help tackle challenges that undermine social cohesion, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday.
He identified three divides that all societies have to address: Growing inequality as a result of globali-sation and advances in technology, a widening divide among different generations and the deepening political polarisation that is made worse by social media.
Unless resolved, the tensions will make it difficult for countries, including Singapore, to weather the challenges of a slowing economy, Mr Heng added yesterday.
And companies can do more in this effort by becoming more socially responsible in areas such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and promoting education and healthcare, he said in a speech to 400 business and thought leaders at the annual Singapore Summit, which discusses global trends.
Noting the economic and political influence of big businesses today, Mr Heng said companies can do even more to make a difference, by working together as well as with governments to create solutions to improve people's lives.
"More than ever before, business leaders must play a greater role - to renew the social order of the countries they operate in and revitalise the international system," Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, said at the Shangri-La Hotel.
In his broad speech on problems confronting societies and the way forward, Mr Heng urged the business leaders to do more to strengthen the social compact, saying that "doing well and doing good need not be contradictory".

He pointed out how some businesses have been championing "conscious capitalism", or the idea that companies should not only serve their shareholders, but customers, employees, suppliers and the environment as well.
He called on countries to work together to tackle global challenges such as climate change, poverty, food security and cyber security.

Likewise, he urged them "not (to) forsake multilateralism simply because the current ground sentiments are shifting away from it". "Instead, it is our role as leaders to uphold this system collectively and convince others that this remains the best way forward," he said.
The need for each society to renew its social compact is urgent amid global economic tensions.
Societal interests have fractured, he noted, making it difficult for governments to secure a mandate to make important decisions.
"Politics is increasingly marked by snap polls, hung Parliaments and government shutdowns, which in turn engender further distrust towards governments and the political system. All these point to a fraying of the social compact that holds societies together," he said.
The relationship between companies and societies has altered too.
"Singapore has so far been spared the full force of these challenges, but we are not immune to them," he added. "We are renewing our social compact. We do not have all the answers to these complex issues."
Every society has to find its own formula to give citizens a stake in shaping its future, Mr Heng added, citing the Singapore Together movement he launched in June to get citizens together to find common cause and create solutions.
Other countries have embarked on similar journeys, he noted, citing France's Great National Debate and Japan's Society 5.0. "We can all learn from each other," he said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

NUH chief executive Aymeric Lim said in a statement on Wednesday night (March 23) that the hospital should have done more to provide closer monitoring and care to the woman.

Woman who lost baby: NUH apologises for 2-hour wait, is reviewing processes​

Facebook user Mee Pok Tah said that his wife was left "bleeding profusely" for two hours after she arrived at NUH on March 15, 2022. PHOTOS: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS, MEE POK TAH/FACEBOOK

Nadine Chua

Mar 24, 2022

SINGAPORE - The National University Hospital (NUH) has apologised for an incident where a 36-week bleeding pregnant woman waited at its emergency department (ED) for two hours and later lost her baby.
NUH chief executive Aymeric Lim said in a statement on Wednesday night (March 23) that the hospital should have done more to provide closer monitoring and care to the woman.
He added that it is reviewing its process of managing expectant patients admitted into the ED so that such incidents do not happen again.
"She waited for two hours, and this should not have been the case in this circumstance, and we are sorry," said Professor Lim.
"During this time, we should have done more to provide closer monitoring and care, as well as to update the patient of her condition and the transfer."
The hospital's apology came after the woman's husband wrote on Facebook on Monday that no one attended to his wife after she arrived at NUH in an ambulance on March 15 and was left "bleeding profusely" for about two hours.
The man said that after two hours, his wife was subsequently sent to a maternity ward where she was attended to by doctors and nurses.

She was later told that she had lost her baby.

Prof Lim said that the woman was admitted to NUH's ED that night at 10.35pm for bleeding, and was attended to immediately upon arrival.
"She was noted to be stable, and her bleeding had subsided en route to the hospital," he said.

"During the ED triage, her vital signs were within normal parameters. She indicated she was experiencing mild pain, and was assessed as 2/10 on the pain score by our nurses," he said.
The woman was placed next to the nursing station for closer visual monitoring, he said.
Patients in labour are admitted to the labour ward upon admission to ED, said Prof Lim.
"As she was in early labour, arrangement was made to transfer her to the labour ward as soon as possible, which was full at that time," he said.

When she was finally transferred to the labour ward, the woman was immediately attended to, said Prof Lim. She was cared for by a team led by two senior consultants.
"An ultrasound scan showed the absence of a foetal heartbeat, caused by placental abruption, a rare and unpredictable pregnancy complication," Prof Lim said.
He said the ED was experiencing high patient load at that time, and that NUH accords high priority to patients who need medical attention.
He added that NUH was managing three expectant patients with Covid-19 in the ED and labour ward on the night of the incident. Prof Lim said hospital staff in both the ED and labour wards were kept very busy having to manage these urgent cases.
Currently, all pregnant women over 36 weeks who have Covid-19 are admitted to three public hospitals for care and delivery. They are NUH, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Singapore General Hospital.
"Despite this added workload, we have a duty of care towards our patients," said Prof Lim.
"It has been challenging to maintain the hospital's high standards for care amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, given the high numbers of patients admitting into the hospital for both emergent Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 clinical conditions."
The NUH team and its clinical and nursing leads met the family on Wednesday, he added.
"We are deeply saddened by the family's loss and will continue to provide care and support to them during this difficult period.
"(We) appreciate the opportunity to address their concerns directly. We will do our best to support them and ensure the patient's well-being," he said.

 

[Leongsam]

https://hellodoctor.com.ph/sexual-wellness/sex-tips/woman-climax-signs/

Woman Climax Signs: Key Takeaways​

In society, talking about female sexuality and woman climax signs is still highly taboo. In the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, more can be done to improve sex education.

But for women to enjoy a healthy sexual relationship, medical professionals encourage them to understand their bodies and their unique desires. Women achieve orgasm in many different ways, and it is different for every person. Sex is a normal, healthy part of a person’s wellbeing, and investing time to understand the female orgasm and woman climax signs can significantly affect your quality of life.

Learn more about Sexual Wellness here.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

More can be done to tackle hidden gender biases and break down stereotypes: Indranee​

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah said making a societal shift starts at home. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Amelia Teng
Education Correspondent

MAR 30, 2022, 3:59 PM SGT

SINGAPORE - As a young lawyer just starting out, Ms Indranee Rajah was told that women should do more corporate and conveyancing law, and that men are more suited for litigation as the field is "tough".
Yet, she went on to become a leading litigation lawyer and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003.
"It was not malicious, but it was just a kind of unspoken assumption that women would do corporate and conveyancing work which is not contentious, and that they wouldn't do litigation," she said on Wednesday (March 30).
"When I was in university, I was doing moots, and international moots means you're basically doing mock litigation, so that got me one foot in the door and nobody really questioned it.
"So when I had the opportunity to be part of the recruitment process, that was something I worked very hard to change," said Ms Indranee, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, who was speaking at Nanyang Business School International Women's Day Forum 2022 held at Nanyang Technological University.
More needs to be done to address such implicit assumptions - whether at the workplace or at home, she said.
Her comments come a few days after the Government released on Monday (March 28) a White Paper with plans to improve the lives of women in a range of areas, from flexible workplace arrangements to caregiving.

In response to a question on how men can help, Ms Indranee said they can start by relooking hidden biases.
"Give women a chance and try them out. And some of them will really fly, which is great, and some may not. And for those who don't work out, don't take that as evidence that women can't do the job.
"You should take that as evidence that a particular individual is not suited for that particular role, just as there will be guys who are not suited for particular roles.


"So, in each case, you've got to look at the individual, give them their due credit, and try to help them to really blossom in the various areas," she added.
About 250 participants tuned into Wednesday's forum, which was held in a hybrid format.
Nanyang Business School dean Christina Soh hosted the dialogue with Ms Indranee, who covered a range of topics, from women in leadership and breaking down gender stereotypes, to the under-representation of women in fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The recent White Paper aims to tackle some of the common assumptions that women deal with, said Ms Indranee. One such assumption, she added, is that "women should be the ones to take care of children, take care of family, and that puts a lot of pressure on them".
"And they're often put in a situation where they have to make a binary choice... and when you force them to do that, many of them will choose family because they see that as a very important thing.
"That assumption needs to change. And to be fair, it has been changing. We do see many more fathers, many more men stepping up to help with the family. But there's a lot more that can be done."
Making a societal shift starts at home, said Ms Indranee, citing the example of her mother who worked as a nurse while raising three children.
"I grew up with a role model in mind of a mother who worked and looked after family. So it never ever occurred to me that I couldn't do both.
"And my mother never ever said that you can only do certain subjects or only do certain things. And to the extent that we could afford stuff, she would let me have them or do it. She didn't limit me and that was very important."

Those in teaching or mentoring roles must help boys and girls understand their shared and equal roles in society from young, instead of reinforcing stereotypes, said Ms Indranee.
She also acknowledged the pressures put on women to "have it all", and do well in both work and family responsibilities.
"The short answer is no one's perfect, and you can't do anything perfectly all the time," she said, recounting her own past experience of working long hours in the private sector and not being able to spend more time with her mother.
"It may be possible to have it all, but even then, situations change... your boss changes, something happens on the family front.
"Sometimes something's got to give. So you may have to take time off. You may have to take leave. Sometimes you may have to ask your colleagues if they can cover for you for certain things.
"I have a lot; I wouldn't say I have it all and each person has to choose what works for them."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Alamak, even the future Prime Minister of Singapore is using the parrot phrase "can do more". Lawrence Wong should sack his speech write.
Quotes:
"On the whole, it is a relationship that is underpinned by mutual confidence and trust. On that basis, we can certainly do much more together."

"We have limited space, but we can certainly tie up with Indonesian companies to use the technology and expand and do more in Indonesia," he added.

Singapore and Indonesia enjoy strong ties, can do more together in green and digital economy: Lawrence Wong​

Mr Lawrence Wong was speaking in an interview with Singapore media at the end of his four-day visit to Indonesia. PHOTO: MCI

Arlina Arshad
Indonesia Bureau Chief
May 21, 2022


JAKARTA - Singapore and Indonesia enjoy strong relations underpinned by mutual confidence and trust, and as both countries recover from the pandemic, there is much more they and their people can do together, Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday (May 20).
On the economic front, businesses can look beyond Batam, Bintan and Karimun, the main islands closest to Singapore collectively known as BBK, and venture to other regions, including Central Java, as well as beyond traditional sectors such as manufacturing and infrastructure to the digital economy and the green economy, he said.
Both sides can also do more to encourage exchanges between their people, especially among students and youth, now that borders are open and flights have resumed, he said, adding that both sides would like to resume greater air connectivity.
Mr Wong was speaking in an interview with Singapore media at the end of his four-day visit to Indonesia, his first since helming the finance portfolio in May 2021.
Mr Wong was also announced as leader of the People's Action Party's fourth-generation, or 4G, team last month, putting him in line to be Singapore's next prime minister - a point noted in Indonesian media reports on his visit this week.
He said his interactions with his counterpart, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, have been very good, and that the visit was a good opportunity for him to meet a broader range of Indonesian leaders, interact with them and get to know them better.
"Overall, on the bilateral front, our relations are certainly in good order. We have had very close cooperation with Indonesia across many fields for many years. In the last two years, we have continued to strengthen our cooperation, especially working together to tackle the pandemic," he said.

"We have also in recent years resolved certain longstanding bilateral issues, namely the agreements we have on extradition, defence and the Flight Information Region. We are now waiting for these agreements to be ratified," he added.
"On the whole, it is a relationship that is underpinned by mutual confidence and trust. On that basis, we can certainly do much more together."
Mr Wong met Dr Sri Mulyani as well as Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan on Friday (May 20)

Earlier in the week, he met several key ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno.
He also met Bank Indonesia governor Perry Warjiyo, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Kendal Regent Dico Ganinduto and Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi.
Their discussions touched on potential cooperation in new areas, among others.
"On the whole, it has been a very fruitful visit. And I look forward to doing my part to build on the strong foundations we have and take our bilateral relations to even greater heights," he said.
In green finance and the green economy, he noted that both Singapore and Indonesia are determined to achieve net-zero emissions and accelerate the green transition.
"Indonesia has many more opportunities to do so, because it has got the ability to embark on more renewable energy projects, and more scale to do so than Singapore," he said.
It also has the opportunity to do nature-based carbon mitigation projects, which Singapore will not be able to do on a similar scale, he added.
Thus, there are opportunities for both sides to work together to finance these projects or collaborate on them. "There are companies, businesses and investors who are interested in this space, and who will be keen to collaborate with Indonesian partners on such projects."

There are similar opportunities for mutually beneficial exchanges in the digital economy, he said, noting that the Indonesian start-up space has become a lot more vibrant in recent years because of the size of the economy and the strong entrepreneurial culture.
He cited Indonesian start-up eFishery, which is part of a growing aquaculture sector.
He noted that Singapore does have research and development on how barramundi and other fish can become more resilient, and on achieving higher productivity on fish farms. "We have limited space, but we can certainly tie up with Indonesian companies to use the technology and expand and do more in Indonesia," he added.
"Indeed, such partnerships are happening in the digital space, in foodtech, in fintech, in a whole range of the digital economy," he said. "The opportunities for collaboration are truly immense."
He also noted similarities in the food culture on both sides, and one businessman hoped there could be more restaurants selling Singapore food in Indonesia.
"That is certainly one area that can help to strengthen cultural and social ties, and perhaps there might even be economic possibilities," Mr Wong said.
And with borders reopening, he hopes direct flights can resume from Singapore to Indonesian destinations such as Semarang.
He said: "The airlines would need some time to catch up with demand. There are constraints with supply and crew, manpower... but they are ramping up, and I hope before too long, we will be able to get the capacity increased and we will be able to resume more direct flights. And hopefully, that will also help to bring down air fares."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

"More needs to be done to maintain this world-class education system."

Forum: Pay hike is welcome, but do more to prevent teacher burnout​

Aug 24, 2022

Can a pay hike of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent prevent our educators from being burnt out (35,000 teachers to get pay hike of 5%-10% from Oct 1, Aug 17)? Are we addressing the root cause of the issue?
Nowadays, introducing one's spouse as an educator no longer gets positive comments like "wow, thank you for moulding future leaders". One is more likely to get a look of sympathy instead.
It seems like the role of educators has evolved much over the years, but it's losing its focus on the most fundamental role - to educate. We have all heard about how much of the workload is not related to teaching.
Times have changed but class size still remains the same. On top of managing the 35 to 40 students, the harder task is to manage and communicate with the parents of these students almost daily due to technological advancement, compared with meeting the parents only every six months as in the past.
To be able to provide children with the expected care and knowledge transfers, the educator needs to be in the right mental and physical condition.
Just think about it, a defective machine is unlikely to produce a product of quality.
Here, we are talking about a person who pours his time and soul into doing his best for your child's future.

Many teachers have spent close to 20 years in this industry, yet some among them whom I know are thinking about leaving the service.
More needs to be done to maintain this world-class education system.

Ng Wei Yang

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

NTUC must ‘do more and do better’ for PMEs and youth: Ng Chee Meng​

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng delivering his speech at the May Day Rally 2023 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Tay Hong Yi

May 1, 2023

SINGAPORE – The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) must “do more and do better” for professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), as well as for youth, while building on current efforts to improve workers’ wages and welfare.
These are two segments the labour movement has underserved, even as it makes inroads with championing vulnerable workers and moderating the cost of living, labour chief Ng Chee Meng said in his May Day Rally speech on Monday.
The push to get 12,000 human resources practitioners certified to comply with fair employment practices is one part of such efforts to close the gap for PMEs, Mr Ng said at the rally held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“However, in the youth segment, NTUC recognises that we can do more to serve our youth better,” said Mr Ng.
To this end, the labour movement launched a youth task force one year ago, which has engaged 10,000 youth to find out their key concerns.
Feedback from youth on their desire for quality internships and mentorships led NTUC to develop the Career Starter Lab with employers, he noted.
This is a pilot scheme to let young people try out a job after school and national service, while also helping employers attract and retain young talent. The scheme was announced on April 28 and is slated for launch in the second half of 2023.

The moves to court youth and PMEs are part of a wider revamp of the labour movement’s business, membership and training model over the last four years to keep up with changes in worker demographics and the economy.
Meanwhile, changes to its business model include working with freelancers, launching a new partnership model with small- and medium-sized enterprises and introducing an associate membership programme for migrant workers, said Mr Ng.
As for training, the labour movement has set up a training and transformation group. It has also adopted an integrated approach, tying together its continuing education and training provider arm NTUC LearningHub, the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute and the Employment and Employability Institute, he said.


Mr Ng said NTUC’s successful foray into digital banking via Trust Bank, set up in partnership with Standard Chartered, is an example of innovation in its social enterprises, with more than 500,000 customers coming on board within seven months.
The changes have paid dividends in NTUC’s membership, which has grown from 980,000 in 2019 to 1.12 million currently, noted Mr Ng.
Driving this growth were new membership benefits catering to members’ needs and aspirations across life stages, as well as a revamped digital presence through its website, chatbots and the myNTUC app, he said.
“Our 1.5 million goal by 2030 is not so distant a number any more,” he said, referring to a membership target the labour movement set for itself in 2019.


Mr Ng said that NTUC champions the interests of lower-wage, platform and mature workers, yet maintains industrial peace and adds value for its employer partners. This is in contrast to other parts of the world, where unions and workers go on strike to show their unhappiness.
“(Such a) combative, confrontational approach leads to lose-lose outcomes, even if the intent was a good one,” he said.
Instead, the labour movement helped expand the Progressive Wage Model – a wage ladder tied to skill and productivity improvements – among lower-wage workers, helping to cushion the rising cost of living.
It also pushed for increased protection for platform workers, and higher retirement and re-employment ages for mature workers, among other moves. These were done in collaboration with the Government and employers in a three-way, or tripartite, partnership, he said.
Summing up, Mr Ng said that to keep pace with the evolving needs and aspirations of workers, the labour movement will need to build an innovative culture and decisively implement the new business strategies it develops.
He added: “Should we fail, fail fast, and learn fast, in practice… Then we go out again, try again, and move towards success.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

"More needs to be done, and the first thing to do is to start recognising that we cannot hope for a clean Singapore if the toilets are dirty."

Forum: Keeping public toilets clean a collective responsibility​

DEC 13, 2023

We refer to Mr Tay Boon Suat’s letter on how dirty coffee shop toilets are an issue that needs to be addressed (Users must help keep coffee shop toilets clean, Dec 2).
Public toilets at food establishments are an essential amenity, especially to the stallholders, food handlers and cleaners who work there.
Dirty and wet toilets are prone to breeding germs and viruses. It is thus important that the toilets in food establishments are kept hygienically clean.
We need to recognise that keeping public toilets clean is a joint responsibility.

Everyone, including the premises’ operators and the public, has a role to play.

Clean public toilets can be possible only if everyone does their part to keep them clean.
It has been more than a year since the Public Hygiene Council started the Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group initiative to drive home the message of collective responsibility in keeping public toilets clean.

While the initiative started only as a pilot scheme, the participating coffee shop operators and community volunteers observed that toilet cleanliness at their participating premises has improved significantly since the pilot.
More needs to be done, and the first thing to do is to start recognising that we cannot hope for a clean Singapore if the toilets are dirty.
We always think it is someone else’s job to keep public toilets clean.
This is a total misconception; we need to be more civic-minded and adopt a culture of change in picking up litter, as well as in keeping public toilets clean, just like we do in our home.

Andrew Khng
Chairman
Public Hygiene Council

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

" However, more can be done to help fathers take time off for their families."

Forum: More support needed for fathers to take time from work for families​

JAN 1, 2024

We thank Mr Lim Jun Bin for his feedback on supporting greater paternal involvement in child raising (Unspoken pressure on new dads to return to work quickly, Dec 28).
The Government is committed to supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families and we recognise that both fathers and mothers play important roles in a child’s early years. From Jan 1, 2024, Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) has been doubled to four weeks on a voluntary basis for those whose employers are prepared to do so. We intend to make these additional two weeks of GPPL mandatory soon.
We are heartened that more fathers have been taking paternity leave to bond with and care for their children. Since the introduction of GPPL in 2013, there has been a steady increase in its take-up rate. However, more can be done to help fathers take time off for their families. As Mr Lim pointed out, we need employers and the wider society to be supportive.
In our engagements with working parents, support from supervisors and colleagues is often cited as a key factor affecting fathers’ utilisation of paternity leave. This includes giving assurance to employees that using paternity leave will not affect their performance appraisal and career prospects, and providing covering arrangements during the father’s absence. In cases where an extended duration of leave cannot be granted due to work exigencies, flexibility should be exercised, such as spreading the leave entitlement across several shorter durations within the child’s first year.
In addition, to encourage greater paternal involvement, community groups such as Centre for Fathering have been organising initiatives at workplaces like Eat With Your Family Day, Great Companies for Dads Awards, and Back to School with Dad. The centre is also looking to build communities of support for fathers within organisations, where fathers can share their parenting aspirations and concerns, and we encourage fathers and fathers-to-be to participate in these initiatives.
As a society, let us work together to foster societal and workplace norms where parents are supported in taking time for their families, as we build a Singapore Made For Families.

Amelia Tang
Senior Director, National Population and Talent Division
Strategy Group, Prime Minister’s Office

 

[mojito]

https://hellodoctor.com.ph/sexual-wellness/sex-tips/woman-climax-signs/

Woman Climax Signs: Key Takeaways​

In society, talking about female sexuality and woman climax signs is still highly taboo. In the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, more can be done to improve sex education.

But for women to enjoy a healthy sexual relationship, medical professionals encourage them to understand their bodies and their unique desires. Women achieve orgasm in many different ways, and it is different for every person. Sex is a normal, healthy part of a person’s wellbeing, and investing time to understand the female orgasm and woman climax signs can significantly affect your quality of life.

Learn more about Sexual Wellness here.

Yes in deed I see the pattern here. Woman have all ways wanted more from me.