Some Activists Suggested Letting Females Do NS So Males Won’t Feel They’ve Earned ‘Privileges’


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Singapore is known for many things.

Being a multi-racial country, a green city and that we’re also rather…fine.

Take that last point however you will.

However, what about gender equality in our country? Are there any uneven grounds between men and women in Singapore?

Image: Vulcan Post

It was recently announced that a series of dialogues involving women’s rights would lead into a government White Paper next year

A Change of Mindset

The dialogue session was held on 20 September.

In it, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam on Sunday mentioned that achieving true equality required a mindset change.

“Every boy and girl must grow up imbibing the value of gender equality. They need to be taught from a very early age that boys and girls are to be treated equally and, very importantly, with respect.”

The series tackling women’s issues will begin next month.

It will also involve the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organisations.

In response, several people have voiced their support for this series of talks.

Many issues were brought up, such ranging from social, familial and societal concerns about women.

National Service

Eventually, the National Service (NS) came up in several articles as well.

Some felt that NS was a card that men played to show that they ‘suffered more’ and that ‘women are spared’.

However, the counter to this was that men started their work with higher salaries due to NS. Women did not get the same compensation for taking care of the household.

Suggestions given included allowing women to serve NS as well, with areas outside of simply just military service.


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This would be extended to both men and women.

One even said that NS currently promoted overtly masculine tropes” such as physical dominance and that women entering service now may find it challenging.

Another mentioned that NS should not be used as an excuse to demand privilege.

“It’s also an inherent problem, in which society is set up where we are in this ‘us’ versus ‘them’ situation.”

Include Men

While the conversations will be mostly about women’s rights, some also see this as a way to also help men too.


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The author mentioned that issues such as paternity leave should be discussed since men get two weeks while women have around 16 weeks of maternity leave.

Image: BabyTalk

“Limiting the scope for fathers to play an equal role in the care of their children reinforces the view that the job of caregiving and raising the child should fall on the shoulders of the mother.”

Ultimately, however, changes will only come when everyone in the community does their part to adapt.

A boyfriend appears to break up with his girlfriend after she has a scar on her face. But it turns out to be something else—watch their story to the end because it’s definitely related to you, whoever you are: