The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) invites the public to give feedback on the draft Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill. Your comments can be submitted at REACH.

The public consultation has been extended to 24 Oct. 2010.

Proposed amendments at a glance

A. Measures to facilitate marriages

i. Waive the residence condition for Singapore citizens and/or Permanent Residents.

B. Measures to address divorce and its impact

i. New conditions for marriage involving minors and divorcees

ii. Mandatory post-filing counselling and mediation for couples with children

iii. Court to make appropriate orders for non-compliance of counselling and mediation

iv. Court to make ancillary orders for foreign divorces

v. Court to order parents to deposit money into the Children's Development Account

vi. Other amendments.

C. Measures to enhance the enforcement of maintenance orders

i. Measures to deter maintenance defaults and secure payments
- Court to order banker's guarantee, financial counselling and community service on defaulters
- Report defaulters to credit bureaus
- Remarrying divorcees to declare maintenance debts

ii.Streamlining of enforcement process
- Obtain defaulters' employment details from CPF Board
- Court to order parties to provide information on their financial status in maintenance proceedings
- Provide for service of summons via registered post

Further Reading:

More about Women's Charter

Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill

Consultation Paper on the Proposed Women's Charter Amendments

Discuss your views @REACH:  Divorce and Women's Charter