As the masses celebrated International Women’s Day 2021 yesterday (8 Mar), it appears that one rather unlikely venue had, too, participated in the festivities.
The Parliament.
So lest you’re unaware, the Parliament isn’t exactly associated with flowers, sunshine and rainbows. Instead, it’s more commonly affiliated with budgets, wage packages, and intelligent individuals squaring off against one another in search of a better tomorrow.
And that is probably why Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin’s move took many, perhaps even the women of the Parliament themselves, by (pleasant) surprise.
Even amid these tumultuous times, it’s heartening to see how a routinely unforgiving venue like the Parliament has, too, lent its weight to the celebration of women’s rights.
Tan Chuan-Jin Pays Tribute to Women in Parliament With Flowers for International Women’s Day
According to Mothership, yesterday (8 Mar)’s Parliament session was a particularly intense one, considering how it oversaw a marathon Committee of Supply debate that spawned hundreds of cuts – reportedly the highest in the past ten years.
Yet even so, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin still found time to recognise the women of Singapore, in celebration of International Women’s Day.
According to the news report, Mr Tan had made some casual observations towards the end of the Parliament session: that several ministers were hardworking in their distribution of slides and fact sheets while delivering their speeches.
Which wouldn’t have been a problem at all had Mr Tan not allegedly suffered from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
Or at least, that’s what he proclaimed. In a light-hearted tone, no less.
As such, Mr Tan was supposedly urged to do something of equal measure. In routine times, he may have given in to his FOMO with a couple of handouts himself, or perhaps even pamphlets if he was feeling generous (I’m joking).
But 8 March 2021 was a special day.
And so he stepped up to the plate, wielding his authority as Speaker of Parliament to give himself permission to hand out gorgeous bouquets of flowers to the equally gorgeous women of Parliament.
“Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to distribute some handouts to our fair Members on occasion of today being International Women’s Day?” he asked.
“Yes, please proceed,” he replied to himself.
Several members of Parliament, including Deputy Speaker Christopher de Souza, then walked around the benches to distribute flowers, which made a riveting sight to say the least.
It should be noted that Mr Tan also felt it necessary to clarify that the flowers were, unfortunately, only for the women.
“It’s only for the women,” he emphasised.
Much to the disappointment of our gung-ho male politicians, I’m sure.
Overall, however, it was a rather light-hearted take to end off an otherwise heavy and lengthy debate.
Thereafter, Mr Tan proceeded to call a vote.
“Question is, that this being the year of celebrating our better halves in family and society, we the ‘lesser halves’ here in Chamber present a small token to say thank you to all our ladies here. Whether serving as MPs, NCMPs, NMPs, clerks, interpreters and our wonderful assistants.
“As many as are of that opinion say ‘Aye’? To the contrary say ‘No’?” he asked.
Unsurprisingly, it passed with absolute ease. In Mr Tan’s own words: “I think the Ayes have it, the Ayes have it.”
He then added that, “Now we may not realise that this year is also the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Charter in Singapore. We began putting in place these moves many years ago in 1961. We continue to strengthen our efforts over the years.
Today we have high literacy rates, low maternity mortality rates, high life expectancy, high full-time employment rates, or just simply providing a safe environment for womenfolk to operate it. I raise this as a first reflection that what we do is often built on the hard work of all our predecessors.”
You can watch the full video of yesterday’s Parliament session here.
Commemorating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is believed to have started in 1911, though the first Woman’s Day was purportedly celebrated in February 1909 by the Socialist Party of America.
It is held every year on 8 March, and revolves around the achievements of women all around the world.
The day also “marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality”.
We wish all the lovely ladies out there a happy International Women’s Day!
Feature Image: YouTube (MCI Singapore)
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