Government, companies must help Singaporean women progress

I refer to the report “Great progress for Singaporean women so far, but more to be done: Grace Fu” (TODAYonline, April 18).

Women Matter, a 2012 McKinsey and Company research report, highlighted the need for businesses to increase the number of women in management roles.

Unless more activist investors become majority shareholders of public listed companies and put pressure on the boards to appoint more women, I am afraid Singaporean women can only progress so far.

Exclusively male boards are likely to appoint someone in their own image and continue with the status quo. This problem may be worse in dynastic family businesses, which pass the baton to the next generation within the family to preserve their legacy.

One thing women can do is to cast their network wider and seek companies that welcome women on their board or in management positions. Women must believe in themselves and go for opportunities. At the same time, companies must change their mind-set to develop and mentor women, instead of thinking that women lack the capability or the desire to rise to the top. This is necessary if Singapore wants to remain a place of quality, which rewards talent according to meritocracy.

Also, progress for women will not be easy to achieve if the Government does not implement more family-friendly policies, such as child care tax breaks, so that women can return to work and pick their careers where they left off.