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| Issue 07 March 2008 |
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SPOTLIGHT ON: International Women's Day 2008
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th, but why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women?
The United Nations General Assembly, composed of delegates from every Member State, celebrates International Women's Day to recognize that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and to acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security. For the women of the world, the Day is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development.
 You might think that women's equality benefits mostly women, but every one-percentile growth in female secondary schooling results in a 0.3 percent growth in the economy. Yet girls are often kept from receiving education in the poorest countries that would best benefit from the economic growth. Until the men and women work together to secure the rights and full potential of women, lasting solutions to the world's most serious social, economic and political problems are unlikely to be found.
In recent decades, much progress has been made. On a worldwide level, women's access to education and proper health care has increased; their participation in the paid labor force has grown; and legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has been adopted in many countries. The world now has an ever- growing number of women participating in society as policy-makers.
However, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men. The majority of the world's 1.3 billion absolute poor are women. On average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work. And everywhere, women continue to be victims of violence, with rape and domestic violence listed as significant causes of disability and death among women of reproductive age worldwide.
So while we celebrate the progress of women, we must always keep in mind that the journey to gender equality is far from over. With your support, UNIFEM will continue to work hard in balancing this inequality.
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EVENT REPORT: IWD Luncheon: Women Mean Business
This year, UNIFEM Singapore was proud to collaborate with the Australian High Commission for the second consecutive year in celebration of International Women’s Day. We were delighted and honored to have Ms Chua Sock Koong – Group CEO from Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) as our special guest speaker.  Australian High Commissioner H E Miles Kupa with Singtel Group CEO Ms Chua Sock Koong
and UNIFEM Singapore President Saleemah Ismail at the Fullerton Lobby
 Named as the 15th most powerful female executive in global business by CNN’s Fortune Magazine, Ms Chua shared her experiences about gender issues in the work environment. She stressed the essential need for today’s women to prioritize what they want to do at different stages of life. She also addressed the need to balance the various gender-roles women face in today’s society – from manager to mother to wife and daughter. Such tasks can be daunting but crucial for women to achieve success either in the workplace or at home. She emphasized that the future is bright for women who work hard.  Guests interacting and enjoying themselves at the luncheon
Article written by: Azliza Asri & Theeba Rani
Photos courtesy of: Aloysius Teo |
| EVENT REPORT: Free Medical Checkups for Domestic Workers
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2008, UNIFEM Singapore along with Susan Lim Surgery and Parkway Health collaborated to present a free medical check-up for domestic workers at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Center on 9th March 2008. With guest speakers – Dr Ann Tan & Dr Cheong Lai Leng gracing the occasion, the event attracted over 600 domestic workers to the well-known Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. Domestic workers from Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & the Philippines were all eager to listen and learn to the series of talks as well.
 Domestic Workers waiting in line to register for the free medical check up
The day began with a medical check-up. This was followed by a speech by Dr Susan Lim and UNIFEM Singapore’s President Saleemah Ismail to welcome the domestic workers to the event after their medical check-up. The domestic workers were also encouraged to attend the talks on gynecological health issues and on maintaining healthy skin that followed in the afternoon.
 Dr Susan Lim (Susan Lim Surgery) and Saleemah Ismail (President, UNIFEM Singapore)
A scrumptious light lunch spread was presented for the enthusiastic ladies who also received goodie bags after their check-up which included an “International Women’s Day 2008” t-shirt.
The event was in appreciation of the domestic workers’ contributions to families in Singapore. It was truly heart-warming to see the care that a handful of employers took to send their domestic worker personally to the event. Such a kind gesture must be noted and most importantly commended during a time when mistreatment of domestic workers’ seem to be frequent news here in Singapore. UNIFEM Singapore would like to thank Dr Susan Lim and her team for coordinating such a remarkable event for the migrant domestic workers
Article written by: Azliza Asri & Theeba Rani |
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ANNOUNCEMENT: Add your name to the Women's Register
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
Join the UNIFEM Singapore Group on Facebook
 UNIFEM Singapore has started a group on the popular online networking site - facebook. The facebook group will be used as an active forum for UNIFEM to give updates, photos and information to all group members. It will also serve as a platform for group members to share ideas, information and thoughts.
The UNIFEM Singapore facebook group is open to everyone.To see more details to get into the group, follow thia link: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=609820588&k=Z6F46WU243WM5CG1QD3ZWS
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