How MOS Sun Xueling Is Paving The Way For Gender Equality
As an advocate for women's rights, this is how she got into politics
Sun Xueling is no stranger to most of us, especially with how quickly she rose in the political sphere. After she decided to leave the finance industry, she made her political debut in the 2015 general election as part of a six-member PAP team contesting in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. She then became a Member of Parliament representing the Punggol Westward and, in 2018, the Senior Parliament Secretary at the Ministries of Home Affairs and National Development. In 2020, she was promoted to Minister of State, and is currently Minister of State for both Social and Family Development, and Education. In just five years, she had risen in the ranks.
But how did the 42-year-old become familiar with what the everyday person needs after years in the private sector? What made her want to go into politics? And as someone who actively advocates for levelling the playing field for women and protecting them from harm and violence, what does she think is the reason women here still aren’t getting the support we need?
She adds that this is why there are initiatives such as the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme and Home Caregiving Grant, which not only boost the retirement funds of senior Singaporeans, but also act as “reminders to families to not forget about the women at home”. To her, appreciation should “not just be shown through words, but also deeds like financial planning”. The one thing that would help alleviate this struggle? Flexible workplace arrangements.
“This will give women better control over how they manage things at home and at work. And these arrangements should not just be for women, but also men, because if men can have better control of their time, they can help women with some of the burdens,” she affirms.
And she would know: As a working mother to two girls who are eight and five, she is “always seeing if there are opportunities to take them along”.
“I feel like they are the reason for my existence. We typically say that kids need their mums, but for me, I feel like I need my kids,” she lets on.
It helps that the Government is looking at expanding the availability of flexible work arrangements by introducing a new set of tripartite guidelines by 2024, as noted in the same White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development. The guidelines will require employers to consider flexible work arrangement requests fairly and properly.
So how can we better support our fellow women? She reckons it can sometimes be as simple as having a kind word.
“Tell them that we appreciate them for who they are as mothers, wives or daughters to give them the assurance that they are recognised for their contributions. We should also stand up for women when they are unfairly treated or bullied, whether physically or online.”
This story first appeared in the May issue 2022 of Her World.
PHOTOGRAPHY Veronica Tay
ART DIRECTION Windy Aulia
HAIR Sean Ang, using Keune
MAKEUP Lolent Lee, using Dior Beauty
Text: Adora Wong/HerWorld