A DIALOGUE between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and around 200
women from various women's organisations yesterday focused on an
arguably male-centric issue - national service.
Of the 10 women who spoke, six rose to debate whether NS should
be made compulsory for women and children of new citizens and
permanent residents, and whether it disadvantaged men, at the
People's Association Women's Integration Network Council
dialogue.
Asked whether Singapore women are disadvantaged as, unlike men,
they do not receive NS allowances as part of their pay, PM Lee
assured the mainly female audience that career advancement for men
and women alike would depend on the individual's ability.
Allowances for Singapore men who have completed NS are to ensure
that they are not left behind when they start work after their
two-year army stint and to compensate for their time in reservist
training, he said.
NS should not be made compulsory for women for the sake of
career advancement, he said.
"The purpose of national service is to have an operationally
ready Singapore Armed Forces."
Singapore Females should concentrate to please their partners
and have more babies!
