The three waves of women's movement in Singapore have shifted from contention to conciliation to contestation. The first wave in the 1950s utilized bold strategies of contention including denouncing women's subordination. The second wave from 1980s-1990s shifted to conciliation and persuasion over confrontation due to a consolidated one-party state. The current wave since the 1990s has seen limited mobilization to selected alternative sexuality groups, with online sites providing privacy but not encouraging specific political actions. For continued progress, a critical mass of activists and resonance around movement issues is needed.

1. THE CHANGING FACE OF WOMEN’S MOVEMENT IN
SINGAPORE:
FROM CONTENTION, CONCILIATION TO
CONTESTATION?
Carol Soon
Institute of Policy Studies
Email: carol.soon@nus.edu.sg

2. First Wave:
1950s
Vibrant political
and civil society space
during pre-independence
period
Social and cultural
conditions were main
impediment
Post World War 2
awakening
1
2
3
Strategies of Contention:
- Bold and aggressive, denounced
women’s subordination and men’s
privileged positions in a patriarchal society.
- Three-prong strategy combining:
Public education, lobbying with the British
government and establishing regional and
international networks.

3. Before the Internet:
Second Wave
(1980s-1990s)
Consolidation of the one-
party state
Post-feminism?
“People think that there is
already gender equality,
especially among young
women, until something
happens in their life such
as divorce or the death of
their spouse.” (Ms. Corinna
Lim, President of AWARE,
interview on November 13,
2012)
Culling opposition and
dissenters
1
2
3
Strategies of conciliation: “Reactive”
approach and persuasion instead of
confrontation

4. “During” the
Internet (1990s to
present)
Alternative sexuality
groups
Mothers’ support groups
Women’s professional
groups
1
2
3
2010 survey: 12% create their
content and 74% communicate
Single women’s groups4

5. Contestation or continued marginalization?
¨ Mobilization limited to selected alternative sexuality groups
¨ Single mothers and divorced women, the main affordance
online sites hold for users is the ease of use and privacy
¨ Interaction facilitated by online sites fulfils informational or social
needs, and do not encourage specific political actions.
¨ What is needed?
¤ Critical mass that comprise of structurally available
actors
¤ Network of activists
¤ Resonance of movement issue

6. Thank you.
Email: carol.soon@nus.edu.sg