SCWO’s Pre-Budget 2023 Dialogue
SCWO started off the new year with a Pre-Budget Dialogue with member organisations on 10 January 2023. Representatives gathered at the centre to be in conversation with our Guests-of-Honour for the evening – Ms Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, and Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law.
The event opened with a welcome address by SCWO’s President, Ms Junie Foo, reiterating the importance of providing platforms for conversations between the government and non-profit organisations (NPOs) by organising such engagement sessions.
Minister Indranee echoed this sentiment in her opening remarks before introducing Ms Lim Ming Jing, Director of Social Programmes at the Ministry of Finance, to present key initiatives of Budget 2023.
Many budget issues and views on Singapore women’s development were brought up during the dialogue, moderated by SCWO’s 1st Vice President, Ms Noorfarahin Ahmad.
On top of that, suggestions and recommendations were also exchanged pertaining to support for women in ageing, victims of violence and harassment, flexible work arrangements for caregivers and inclusivity in the social compact. The dialogue was wrapped up with closing remarks by Mdm Rahayu, acknowledging the feedback received from member organisations and that they will be taken into consideration for the Budget and other initiatives.
SCWO looks forward to holding more fruitful and highly engaging dialogues with government agencies in the future to provide our members the opportunity to bring forth their views and suggestions to improve the community, their organisations and their beneficiaries.
