In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating a progressive 20 years since Singapore joined the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW), a powerful women’s rights bill which defines what exactly constitutes discrimination again women, and arranges an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Hype

Celebrating International Women’s Day, seeing hundreds of thousands speaking up for and taking action towards the acceleration of gender parity is thrilling in itself. As is Singapore’s accession to UN CEDAW because when a State commits themselves to ending discrimination according to the bill, they are agreeing to proactively tackle all forms, including:

• “to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;

• to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and
• to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.”

In October of 2015, three prominent women’s groups came together to host a celebratory event which hosted approximately 300 guests. Singapore Council of Women’s Orgnisations (SCWO), People’s Association Women’s Integration Network Council (PA WIN), and NTUC Women Development Secretariat (NTUC WDS) all came together to organise a forum to celebrate, entertain and inspire their audience, and remind them of their years’ of success for women rights.

A Special Feature

The forum was greatly supported by MSF OWD, and boasted Guest-of-Honor Ms Low Yen Ling, former Parliamentary Secretary. Yet one of the most touching elements of the event might have been this video entitled, “Women. Unlimited?” A beautiful, moving, and inspiring 7-minute video which brings its viewer back in time, before Sinapore’s accession to the UN CEDAW, and through the transformation of a nation, and the confidence and social value of women. To capture 20 years, and three generations in seven short minutes is talent all its own, but the impact was obviously greater as guests shed tears of gratitude, joy, and pride.

How far Singapore has come, and how privileged we are to enjoy a nation which tells young girls and women to dream and reach for the stars!

Bonus Inspiration

Two young ladies from the cast of CEDAW’s commemorative video also made a special appearance at the forum, with a particularly touching interview with Jaime, the little girl. Not only was it an eye-opening experience for her as a young girl who has grown up in modern Singapore, but it helped the audience realise the value in sharing the entire truth of Singapore’s past, helping children of the new generation acknowledge their good fortune, and better appreciate their elders. If you’d like to listen in, you can watch the video here.

Singapore has undoubtedly gone through a rapid transformation since 1995, now using their entire social standing (not just the half of their population as men only) to benefit their country, they are acknowledged globally as a rising star. Here’s to many more celebrations of freedom and equality!

A Special International Women’s Day Event