Breaking Barriers, Shattering Glass Ceilings: How Women in Public Service Made History

3.5-minute read

In 1965, only 42.6% of women above 15 in Singapore could read and write. Today? That number has skyrocketed to 96.4%, making Singapore one of the most literate nations in the world!

But that’s just one part of the story. Since 1959, the year Singapore gained self-governance, we have made huge strides in empowering women—outlawing polygamy in 1961, increasing female workforce participation, and ranking #1 in Asia Pacific for gender equality (and 8th globally!).

Women in Public Service have also shattered glass ceilings—leading in government, shaping policies, and building the nation. Here’s a look at some of their remarkable achievements!

Fighting for equal rights in the eyes of the law

In 1950s Singapore, men could have multiple wives legally. Girls were often not given opportunities to study and women were paid less than men for doing the same work.

This began changing in the late 1950s as campaigning for women’s rights gained momentum. In particular, Chan Choy Siong, Member of Parliament for Delta and a passionate activist for women’s rights, fought relentlessly for a Women’s Charter, which would give men and women equal standing in marriage, ban polygamy, and provide protection against family violence.

The landmark charter was finally passed in 1961, paving the way for gender equality in Singapore.

Representing Singapore on the global stage

In 1989, Chan Heng Chee made history when she was appointed as Singapore’s permanent representative to the United Nations, making her Singapore’s first full-fledged woman ambassador. Chan was also our first female ambassador to the United States and played an important role in securing a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Since then, we have had the honour of having brilliant female diplomats such as seasoned international law practitioner Rena Lee and career ambassador and businesswoman Jayalekshmi Mohideen representing us internationally, and more women in diplomacy today!

Trailblazers in the forces

When you think of the armed forces, police, or firefighters, you probably picture men. But these women have been shattering stereotypes.

Mary Quintal wasn’t just the first woman in Singapore to become a police inspector—she was also the first female Assistant Superintendent of the Singapore Police (1961-1974). Fun fact: her batch of recruits were the first women in Public Service to receive the same pay as their male colleagues.

Other record holders include Gan Siow Huang, Singapore’s first woman Brigadier-General in the Singapore Armed Forces and Shalini Arulanandam, the first female commander of SAF Medical Corp’s Military Medicine Institute.

And on the frontlines, we have Jerica Goh, first Commanding Officer of a frigate in the Republic of Singapore Navy; and Lee Mei Yi, first female fighter squadron commander in the Republic of Singapore Air Force. These women don’t just serve—they lead and break barriers!

The woman who shaped Singapore’s future

From the parliament to urban planning, talented women are leading and shaping discussions and decisions in governance and policy-making. Take Halimah binti Yacob, for example—known as a champion of workers’ rights, she is also the first female to become Speaker of Parliament (2013–2017).

Dr Gloria Lim, pioneering mycologist, was the first woman to be appointed commissioner in the Public Service Commission and Dr Cheong Koon Hean, first woman to lead Urban Redevelopment Authority, played a key role in the urban transformation of Singapore, in particular the Marina Bay development. Lim Soo Hoon, Singapore’s first female Permanent Secretary, has shaped sectors from public transport and sports to trade and manpower!

A Legacy of Empowerment and Progress

From advocating women’s rights to leading the nation’s defence forces, diplomacy, and governance, Singaporean women have come a long way. What was once a society where women had few opportunities has now become a progressive state—one where women are shaping the future and building the nation.