UN Women Singapore's Pia Bruce discusses the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women
In conjuction with International Women's Day (March 8), Executive Director of UN Women Singapore, PIA BRUCE discusses the organisation's efforts towards achieving universal gender equality and the empowerment of women.
PB: For the past five years, aidha has held educational programmes every Sunday to help migrant workers build business skills, increase employment opportunities and ultimately improve their future.
TF: What are some of the key initiatives you're working on?
PB: UN Women has an action-packed year ahead! Firstly we're working on a prominent anti-human trafficking campaign anchored in ground breaking research and recent stakeholder forums. This is in collaboration with the Government, UN network and our non-profit and private sector partners - notably MasterCard and The Body Shop. We're also working towards ensuring all domestic workers get a mandatory day off and in the last quarter of the year we'll hold our annual fundraising events, the SNOW (Say No to Oppression of Women) Benefit gala dinner and Buy to Save which sells gently-used designer clothing.
TF: As a Swedish woman, what are the differences you've noticed between women's rights in Sweden and Singapore?
PB: In Sweden, gender equality is more accepted through different ages and socio-economic groups. In Singapore, elderly women who haven't worked much outside the home and have low savings are at risk of not faring equally well as their peers who have been working consistently. Sweden practises work-life balance so working moms are eligible for flexible working hours and long-term family leave for up to a year or more. This makes combining work and family easier. On the other hand, the availability of domestic help in Singapore is not widely available in Sweden. I also notice grandparents offering day care to their grandchildren here.
TF: What's your vision for UN Women Singapore and aidha?
PB: I'd like to see both organisations grow in reach and impact and for the issues they stand for to become more mainstream so women's rights are accepted by all and considered pivotal for the advancement of society.
TF: Favourite local family-friendly spots?
PB: As a mother of two boys we're at Turf City often as the kids are involved in activities such as art and soccer. We also like outings to the East Coast and Sentosa plus trailing and light hiking. Our favourite eateries include Curry Garden (www.currygardenn.com) for its masala fish, prata and lime juice, Coastes (www.coastes.com) and we get our Italian fix at La Braceria (5 Greendale Avenue) and Amici (www.amici.com.sg).
TF: How did you get involved with United Nations (UN) Women Singapore?
PB: I interned at the UN in New York during my college days and that's where my interest started. In Singapore, I got involved with UN Women through its spin-off micro-business school aidha.
Aspire to inspire!
UN Women Singapore in partnership with MasterCard Worldwide marks International Women's Day this month with the second edition of Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World. This year-long initiative encourages socially-inspired people between the ages of 18 and 35 years old to pitch a life changing idea to empower disadvantaged women and girls through social entrepreneurship. A US$ 25,000 grant will be given to bring the winning idea to life. For more information visit www.5minutestochangetheworld.org.
Posted Mar 2012
