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NS for women: No reason to differentiate the sexes, but don’t conscript unnecessarily

This week, reader Cho Ming En’s suggestion that women do National Service (NS) for a year in areas such as healthcare and eldercare set off a spirited debate online.

The debate continues on whether women should do National Service.

The debate continues on whether women should do National Service.

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This week, reader Cho Ming En’s suggestion that women do National Service (NS) for a year in areas such as healthcare and eldercare set off a spirited debate online. In response, reader Ashton Ng Jing Kai said women should be allowed to contribute in their own ways, including serving in the military or representing Singapore in a sport.

Others agreed that women should do NS in the community, but some felt they should be allowed to serve in areas that they excel in. Other readers rejected the idea that women should be shunted to old-fashioned conservative roles, such as healthcare. Instead, they should undergo the same training as men.  

I definitely agree, especially in healthcare. With one year’s experience, I believe they can take care of their children and parents with confidence. CHRISTINA NG 

Since the Singapore Civil Defence Force has NS medics, perhaps ladies can contribute to the nation by becoming medics and helping our hospitals. AAN AL-SHARIFF 

Excellent suggestion. Singaporean women should be given an equal opportunity to serve our country. In times of war, the survival skills they learn will help them to take care of the young and elderly people, so that our men can fight wholeheartedly with peace of mind. But our leaders may be hesitant, since this could cost them some votes. I would gladly let my daughter serve; she is fitter than my son. It is time to stop discrimination against women — they are not the weaker sex. HO YEW CHIN 

In a modern total-defence force, I see no reason to differentiate between males and females. Everyone should serve in all capacities according to their talents. With extra manpower, the total time for NS obligations can be reduced, too. This is something a lot of our talents will appreciate, as it will go a long way towards helping them hone other skills that may be vital to the progress of Singapore in all areas. KUMAR NATHANAEL ELIJAH 

I am truly proud to be in the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC), considering women can do a lot more in various roles in the army. I waited for more than 10 years for SAFVC to be established, so that I can serve the country in the army. I always wondered why only boys are made to go through NS. I have always wished to do NS since I came to Singapore in 2000 and made Singapore my home in 2006. I can understand why, for the first few decades of nationhood, it was made for boys at first. But since Singapore is so strong today and women are taking up positions that are on an equal footing with men, why can’t we have mandatory NS for girls to make them mentally and physically strong for their future? This will eventually help every family and Singaporean in the long run. If I have two daughters, I will make them go for NS at age 18 to learn to be strong, feel proud to be Singaporean and serve the country. SUNENA SHARMA

I am all for NS of some form, but I disagree men are disadvantaged because they serve two years. It instils discipline and character building if approached with the right mindset. Also, women who eventually have children are also "disadvantaged" in career progression and for a longer period. GRACE PHANG 

As a woman, I agree. NS is one institution that the country cannot do without. A period of two years in a 100-year lifetime is not too long to contribute to Singapore, in the same way males do. Both our sons and daughters have the capability to be disciplined, to serve, to defend, to secure, to help. Just serve in some way, any way. GIAM LAY HOON 

As a woman, I do not mind this initiative. A year would be just nice. It would help many build more social and emotional capacity. EZEN HO 

NS does not always have to take the form of serving in the military. Look at the bigger picture. You can also serve through the political, economic and social realms. As long as it is anything that does the country good. SHANE GOH

A year is not enough to serve effectively. The training can already take as long as a year depending on the vocation. A woman needs practical skills after the training and that can be achieved only by being deployed into the field that she is trained in. That will take six months to a year. DANNY CHIN 

If females do NS, then it has to be the same as what men go through for military defence. We do not need cheap labour to become nurses, clerks and so on. MICHAEL CHANG 

I do not agree, especially if it means the typical old-fashioned conservative roles for women in healthcare, eldercare, environmental conservation and community building. I am not a feminist, but I believe women deserve as much as men to do what they are good at, not what society would like them to be. AGNES MEURZEC

Why don’t we make it compulsory for foreigners who want to apply for permanent residency to do one-and-a-half years of NS of their choosing, be it in nursing, civil defence or the army. This will also help them to assimilate into Singapore culture and take their application for permanent residency seriously. STAN SNG

It should be applicable to new citizens instead, regardless of age. It is an alternative form of NS: Understanding us and relieving the labour crunch. HELI HOB POH 

They already can volunteer to do so. We should, however, not conscript them just for the sake of “equality”, whatever that means to different people. The purpose of NS is primarily for defence; it is not intended to be a social or voluntary help programme. So, let us not expand the scope as such. MELVIN CH

There is no need to enlist women unnecessarily. But we need to equip women with the basic knowledge and skills on what to do during a war. BELLE CHAN

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page or submitted to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. 

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National Service women healthcare eldercare military

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