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I WAS disappointed by the remarks of the People's Action Party Member of Parliament for Yuhua, Ms Grace Fu, who heads the PAP's women's wing ('Women to pack more punch in the House'; last Saturday).
Ms Fu, who is Senior Minister of State for two ministries - Information, Communications and the Arts; and The Environment and Water Resources - stated that society still expects women to shoulder a disproportionate share of the caregiver's role.
While it is true that men need to do more at home, Ms Fu's remarks displayed a limited understanding of gender equality among women.
True gender equality means equal sharing of benefits and responsibilities between men and women. Women, however, are reluctant to embrace genuine equality.
While men are increasingly helping out at home, they are still solely burdened with the responsibility of national defence.
The Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), in its fight for women's rights, has not actively promoted national service for women. NS has never been a top priority for Aware.
According to a Sunday Times report in 2008, there were more than 2,000 house husbands in Singapore and the number was set to rise ('Stay-at- home dads find Secret Business'; June15, 2008). However, such men are denied alimony.
By contrast, women drawing good salaries still have the option of alimony open to them.
Debates on paternity leave receive much positive feedback from women MPs because paternity leave benefits women.
By contrast, male-positive policies such as alimony for men are hardly raised by women MPs because it disadvantages women financially.
Women MPs are elected to Parliament on votes cast by male voters too. So, women MPs are equally obliged to speak up on men's issues.
Yet, no elected woman MP has raised the issues of national service for women and alimony for men.
Ironically, it was Dr Kanwaljit Soin, a founder-member of Aware and former Nominated MP, who spoke up for men on the issue of alimony.
True gender equality must form the basis of relationship between men and women.
As long as women cling on to a double standard in interpreting gender equality, men and women will remain trapped in their traditional roles.
Sulthan Niaz
Ms Fu, who is Senior Minister of State for two ministries - Information, Communications and the Arts; and The Environment and Water Resources - stated that society still expects women to shoulder a disproportionate share of the caregiver's role.
While it is true that men need to do more at home, Ms Fu's remarks displayed a limited understanding of gender equality among women.
True gender equality means equal sharing of benefits and responsibilities between men and women. Women, however, are reluctant to embrace genuine equality.
While men are increasingly helping out at home, they are still solely burdened with the responsibility of national defence.
The Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), in its fight for women's rights, has not actively promoted national service for women. NS has never been a top priority for Aware.
According to a Sunday Times report in 2008, there were more than 2,000 house husbands in Singapore and the number was set to rise ('Stay-at- home dads find Secret Business'; June15, 2008). However, such men are denied alimony.
By contrast, women drawing good salaries still have the option of alimony open to them.
Debates on paternity leave receive much positive feedback from women MPs because paternity leave benefits women.
By contrast, male-positive policies such as alimony for men are hardly raised by women MPs because it disadvantages women financially.
Women MPs are elected to Parliament on votes cast by male voters too. So, women MPs are equally obliged to speak up on men's issues.
Yet, no elected woman MP has raised the issues of national service for women and alimony for men.
Ironically, it was Dr Kanwaljit Soin, a founder-member of Aware and former Nominated MP, who spoke up for men on the issue of alimony.
True gender equality must form the basis of relationship between men and women.
As long as women cling on to a double standard in interpreting gender equality, men and women will remain trapped in their traditional roles.
Sulthan Niaz
