Singapore Council of Women's Organization

The Singapore Council of Women's Organizations (SCWO) is a coordinating body whose Board Members comprise representatives from various affiliated member organizations. It has 38 affiliates with a total membership of approximately 94,000 and its members are drawn from all walks of life, ranging from housewives to factory workers, business women and professionals. SCWO is recognized by the Singapore Government as the national women's council, and is invited regularly as the non-governmental representative, to attend the ASEAN Women's Programme (AWP) which is the ASEAN government body dealing with programs for women. SCWO is also affiliated to the ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organization (ACWO) whose Board of Directors and Confederate Council members are drawn from members of the boards of the respective national women's councils in the ASEAN region.

From their newsletter One Voice, we learn that they sent two representatives to Tonga, Mrs. Lily Goh and Mrs. Anamah Tan. Preliminary plans for the Women's Leaders Training Programme for SCWO affiliate members was offered by Dr. Seet Ai Mee at a luncheon in October. The program will be divided into two main study areas: General Areas and Special Areas. All participants will go through General Areas discussions and workshops before breaking up into groups for the Special Areas of study. The committee plans to launch the first program in the second quarter of 1995.

The Family Resource and Training Centre is a project of the Singapore Association of Social Workers. The center opened in April 1994 and provides support for existing service agencies by offering them a resource library, training programs and help in researching their work.

The American Women's Association held a luncheon in October at which the program was "Mabuhay- Greetings from the Philippines." Members of the Ramon Obusan Ballet Folkloric de Philippines performed a series of dances depicting Philippine traditions. Madame Ambassador Alicia Ramos of the Philippines attended.

SCWO conducted a forum "Family and Violence" for the first time in three languages - English, Mandarin, and Malay.

Another forum "Women as Leaders" was chaired by AWARE president Ms. Constance Singam. The need to strive for balanced representation of both sexes at all levels of decision making in all spheres of public life was stressed by Dr. Soin, one of the speakers.

In July, Mrs. Androula Vassiliou, wife of the former president of Cyprus, visited the SCWO office for a briefing on women's issues in Singapore. She met with SCWO president, Mrs. Anamah Tan.

Singapore is particularly proud of Dr. Noleen Heyzer, the newly appointed director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).