SINGAPORE'S women advocacy group Aware said on Thursday it is
heartened to see an increase in the number of women office-holders
in Parliament.
But the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware)
also registered its disappointment at the lack of a woman minister
in the new Cabinet line-up, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
announced on Wednesday.
Singapore lost its first woman minister, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, when
her Aljunied GRC People's Action Party (PAP) team lost to the
Workers' Party at the General Election on May 7.
The number of women office-holders, however, has grown from four
to five.
Former Nominated MP Braema Mathi said at a media conference
yesterday that the leadership in Singapore's highest
decision-making body did not reflect the country's pool of educated
and talented women.
Noting that several male newcomers have been appointed to
political office, she said: 'I find it impossible to believe that,
despite the track record the women MPs have, the Government cannot
take an equal risk with the women.'
-- ST