http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_344667.html?vgnmr=1
Investing in S'pore's daughters
By Ang Yiying
APTITUDE, ability and aspiration have propelled women to achievements in many fields in a world where physical strength and gender now matter less, said Education minister Ng Eng Hen on Sunday.
And the march women have made here is also likely to continue.
Societies progress fastest when equal opportunities are given to all groups within it, he added; conversely, those that hold women back by denying them education or rights seldom flourish.
Speaking at a carnival held a week ahead of International Women's Day, he cited women who have made strides in their fields - from politicians such as former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel to the women here who are chief executives, Members of Parliament and those on Singapore's first all-woman team to scale Mt Everest.
Dr Ng, who is also the Second Minister for Defence, also noted that women formed just over half of the local university intake here, up from 45 per cent 20 years ago; the proportion of women among polytechnic students has also gone up, from 30 per cent 20 years ago to 48 per cent in 2007.
'For Singapore to invest in her daughters was a good and self-enlightened decision,' he said.
At Sunday's carnival, he addressed a crowd of about 600 comprising women members of grassroots groups, 10 women Members of Parliament and members of the public.
Nine booths promoting women's activities and health were up, including a thrift store to raise funds for the Grace mentorship programme.
The Women's Integration Network (WIN) also launched its website on Sunday.
Investing in S'pore's daughters
By Ang Yiying
APTITUDE, ability and aspiration have propelled women to achievements in many fields in a world where physical strength and gender now matter less, said Education minister Ng Eng Hen on Sunday.
And the march women have made here is also likely to continue.
Societies progress fastest when equal opportunities are given to all groups within it, he added; conversely, those that hold women back by denying them education or rights seldom flourish.
Speaking at a carnival held a week ahead of International Women's Day, he cited women who have made strides in their fields - from politicians such as former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel to the women here who are chief executives, Members of Parliament and those on Singapore's first all-woman team to scale Mt Everest.
Dr Ng, who is also the Second Minister for Defence, also noted that women formed just over half of the local university intake here, up from 45 per cent 20 years ago; the proportion of women among polytechnic students has also gone up, from 30 per cent 20 years ago to 48 per cent in 2007.
'For Singapore to invest in her daughters was a good and self-enlightened decision,' he said.
At Sunday's carnival, he addressed a crowd of about 600 comprising women members of grassroots groups, 10 women Members of Parliament and members of the public.
Nine booths promoting women's activities and health were up, including a thrift store to raise funds for the Grace mentorship programme.
The Women's Integration Network (WIN) also launched its website on Sunday.
