Women reinvest more in their communities and families.
Pop Quiz: What percentage of their income do women reinvest in their communities and family?
90 percent.
Yes, that’s right – 90 percent – compared to the less than 40 percent reinvested by men. That is why when women are included, economies thrive*. As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, “When we liberate the economic potential of women, we elevate the economic performance of communications, nations, and the world… Greater political stability. Fewer military conflicts. More food. More educational opportunity for children. By harnessing the economic potential of all women, we boost opportunity for all people.”
“When we liberate the economic potential of women, we elevate the economic performance of communications, nations, and the world… By harnessing the economic potential of all women, we boost opportunity for all people.” – Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State
Iceland is the best place to be a woman. It has a female president and a government agency to keep tabs on women’s rights. The worst is Chad where women have almost no legal rights and many marriages are arranged when girls are just 11 or 12*. Where does Singapore rank on the list?
Here, women have achieved much progress, but still, there are few in leadership positions in the private sector. The average salary of women is only 75 percent that of men (an improvement from 68 percent ten years ago). There are no female ministers in our government, although the number of Members of Parliament have risen**.
Every March, women’s issues are highlighted on International Women’ Day. This year, Halogen Foundation Singapore and Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations are partnering to celebrate and cultivate women in leadership through National Young Leaders’ Day Women’s Edition. We will take time to learn from Singaporean women who have risen up and are doing well.
One of such women is Dr Ann Tan, former President of SCWO and current President of the Women’s Register (WR)***. An advocate of public education and women, Dr Ann Tan, also a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Women & Fetal Center at Mount Elizabeth and mother of three, shares with us how she successfully balances her many tasks, and insights on women in leadership.
Halogen360 (H360): You’re a doctor with her own practice, President of Women’s Register (WR), mother of three and a wife – wow, there’s so much on your plate! How do you stay focussed on your priorities?
Dr Ann Tan (AT): As a woman, I have learnt to multitask all the time to survive through the daily tasks. The tasks of previously being President of SCWO was indeed a great experience and now I have a smaller task of looking at mentoring young women through WR***, a new initiative of SCWO. As a mother, I have realised that there are some things I am not so good at doing for my children and hence have to delegate tasks often. I maintain a finger on the home pulse at all times though and keep in touch with my children by talking with them on a daily basis – even the one that is away in the U.K. (United Kingdom)! Just a few bbms (Blackberry Messages) will do!
H360: What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organisation(s)?
AT: As the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (O&G) representative on the Medical Advisory Board for Mount Elizabeth Hospital, I try to ensure that the O&G service is well run in the hospital and that both hospital staff and medical doctors are kept up to date. As Chairperson of Women’s Register (WR), I try to think of how to ensure WR is relevant and that our topics are “hot”, as well as how to enthuse new mentors to take on the challenge to answer questions from our mentees.
H360: Could you share some of your thoughts on women in leadership?
AT: Women can lead and women should be given leadership roles alongside men in as many spheres as possible. Women form half the populace and our views and thoughts should be heard for a more harmonious society. I believe in working together for good and not in an adversarial setting.
H360: What advice do you have for young female leaders?
AT: Believe in yourself . Get a mentor to bounce things off. Don’t let “mistakes” or “failures” bog you down for long… they are there for a purpose and you will learn to be better leader for it.
Article by Faith Jinghui Luo
National Young Leaders’ Day Women’s Edition is an extension of National Young Leaders’ Day, specially created for secondary school level female students with the aim to inspire mindset transformations and impart leadership lessons from the real world. Previous role models and speakers include Channel News Asia Anchor Cheryl Fox, Center for Creative Leadership Group Director (USA) Dr Karen Dyer, Team Singapore Para-Athlete Ms Yip Pin Xiu and President of the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics Ms Bridget Tan.*The 2011 global Women’s Progress Report (Newsweek)
** Women’s Rights Situation in Singapore from http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org
*** Women’s Register offers young women 18 years and above the ability to converse with a mentor online in a safe and anonymous way. WR also runs career clinics for one on one chats and dialogue sessions for open debates on issues with mentees.
Find out more at http://www.womensregister.org
