Women in Singapore traditionally played a small role in the politics of Singapore and Singapore's public life. Nonetheless in recent years, there is an increasing women representation in public life as more women have started running for political office. Notable women politicians include the highest ranked female politician in the history of Singapore is former Acting Minister Seet Ai Mee, Minister of State Yu-Fu Yee Shoon, and Amy Khor Lean Suan, a district mayor. Several women also became Nominated Members of Parliament, representing a range of societal interests such as women groups and conservation groups. Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... The politics of Singapore is based on a unitary state with some aspects modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary government. ... A mayor (from the Latin maīor, meaning larger,greater) is the politician who serves as chief executive official of some types of municipalities. ... Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) are non-elected MPs in the Parliament of Singapore. ...

Early Years

Unlike their Western counterparts, universal suffrage was granted and thus the women in Singapore did not have to fight for enfranchisement. The first women representatives in the Legislative Councils were those reflecting the English-educated and middle-class interests. Chinese-educated women leaders came into prominence as the proportion of women voters expanded from 8% to 50% in the 1955 Rendel Constitution elections. However, some of these Chinese-educated leaders like Linda Chen Mock Hock were linked with communism and thus were subsequently clamped down by the fiercely anti-communist Lim Yew Hock administration. As the People's Action Party rose to power in 1959, as many as four female PAP candidates were voted into the self-governing Assembly. They included Women League’s founders Chan Choy Siong and Ho Puay Choo. The PAP-Barisan Sosialis schism caused two women members to defect to the Barisan Sosialis. The two and from 1968, one remaining PAP woman members were considered moderate and relatively passive compared to the radicals, perhaps leaving a legacy of a weakened and subsequently, lack of female representation in politics for more than a decade. Universal suffrage (also general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of suffrage, or the right to vote, to all adults, without distinction as to race, sex, belief or social status. ... The Legislative Council of Singapore became a council in its own right on 1946, when the Repeal Act abolished the Straits Settlements, and Singapore became a Crown Colony on its own. ... Communism refers to a theoretical system of social organization and a political movement based on common ownership of the means of production. ... Lim Yew Hock the loser (1914-1984) was Singapore’s second Chief Minister from 1956 to 1959. ... Party logo with a symbol of red lightning that signifies action. ... Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front) is a Singaporean political party formed in 1961, by left-wing former members of the Peoples Action Party (PAP) and led by people such as Dr Lee Siew Choh and Lim Chin Siong. ...

Absence of female representation

With the retirement of Chan Choy Siong in 1970, there were no female representation in parliament from 1970 to 1984- a total of 14 years. Nonetheless, there were sporadic failed electoral bids by female opposition candidates.

Return of female representation

In 1984, the dominant PAP fielded 3 women candidates whom all entered parliament successfully. They were Dr. Dixie Tan, Dr. Aline Wong and current Minister of State, Mrs. Yu-Foo Yu Shoon. Another woman, Dr. Seet Ai Mee joined the trio in 1988 and she subsequently was promoted to Acting Minister for Community Development- the highest political post ever held by a woman. However, Seet lost her seat to Singapore Democratic Party’s Ling How Doong in the 1991 General Election by a razor-thin margin. The ruling PAP Women's Wing was formed in 1989. In 1992, Dr Kanwaljit Soin became the first female Nominated Member of Parliament. Other notable NMPs include Ms Claire Chiang and Ms. Braema Mathiaparanam. Party logo The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is a liberal party in Singapore. ... Famous for his Dont talk cock! rant to Chiam See Tong in the Parliament when Mr Chiam criticise Chee Soon Juan action. ... Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) are non-elected MPs in the Parliament of Singapore. ...

Current women parliamentarians

Since the 1990s, the number of women participating in politics progressively increases. There are currently 10 elected women parliamentarians out of a total of 84 elected members. All female members are from the ruling PAP. There are two ministers of states and one district mayor. There are also 2 females of a total of 9 Nominated Members of Parliament.

Elected MPs

The 10 PAP Elected Members are:

• Halimah Yacob
• Ho Geok Choo
• Indranee Rajah
• Amy Khor Lean Suan
• Lim Hwee Hua
• Penny Low
• Lily Neo
• Ng Phek Hoong Irene
• Cynthia Phua
• Yu-Foo Yee Shoon

NMPs

• Eunice Elizabeth Olsen
• Geh Min, President of Nature Society in Singapore.

Dr. Geh Min (Simplified Chinese: 倪敏) is the President of Nature Society in Singapore. ... The Nature Society (Singapore) (abbreviated NSS) is a non-government, non-profit organisation centered towards the preservation and appreciation of Singapores natural heritage, as well as that of the surrounding region. ...

References

• Wong Aline and Leong, W. K. (1993) Singapore Women: Three Decades of Change. Singapore: Times Academic Press. ISBN 9812100318
• List of Singapore MPs