Only 3 in 10 Singaporeans are ‘very comfortable' with women in leadership

Singaporeans say women can only lead better in areas like fashion and beauty.

Whilst more than half of Singaporeans believe that gender equality has been achieved in the Lion City, there remains to be prejudice against women leaders.

Based on the Reykjavik Index for Leadership, only three in 10 Singaporeans are ‘very comfortable’ with women being a head of government, ministers, or CEO of a major or SME company.

Both sexes are also prejudiced against women leaders (71% men; 62% women).

The study also revealed that Singaporeans believe that women can only lead better in areas like childcare and fashion and beauty, but not in sectors like engineering, architecture, aerospace, high-tech, artificial intelligence, gaming, manufacturing, government and politics, automotive, defence and police, and intelligence services.

The index also revealed that Singaporeans rated 7.3 out of 10 when asked how important gender equality is
for their society.

Overall, Singapore scored 66 on the index, indicating prejudice against women leaders in the city-state.

The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisation, however, underscored that the trajectory for the future of gender parity in Singapore is increasingly positive.

Unlike in other countries, younger populations in Singapore (18-34) have a more progressive view of gender equality in leadership.

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