INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH ON PROBLEMS OF WOMEN

Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs whether he intends setting up an institute of research on problems of women, as outlined in "The Tasks Ahead, 1959", with a view to improving their social, economic and political status in society.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has since 1959 introduced various measures which have considerably improved the status of women in Singapore, including the enactment of the Women's Charter, 1960, which, among other things, enforces monogamy in Singapore except for Muslims, and the institution of equal pay for women in the civil service. The problems of women therefore no longer constitute an urgent issue as it used to be in the old days. There is no reference to the setting up of an Institute of Research on the Problems of Women in The Tasks Ahead, 1959-1964 - at least in the English copies. However, the desirability of setting up a research institute to study these problems will be looked into by my Ministry.

Madam Chan Choy Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I have some supplementary questions. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he knows that the setting up of an Institute of Research on Problems of Women is stated in Book III of the P.A.P.'s Policy?

The second supplementary question is: if he thinks that this was the policy in 1959, whether he can tell me when this institution will be set up, because last year when discussing the Budget I asked this question and he replied that it was under consideration. But one year has already passed and the question has not been dealt with.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said just now, my Ministry will look into this question first. So before I can give the hon. Member the date when we will set up this institute, let us begin an investigation first.