Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts, 36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5
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SPEECH BY MR ABDULLAH TARMUGI MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT THE LAUNCH OF "FAMILY TIES", (VIDEO ON FAMILY MATTERS) SATURDAY, 19 APR 97, 10.00 AM COMMUNITY HALL, 18TH FLOOR, MCD BUILDING
Good morning
Mr Chandra Mohan Nair, President, Law Society
Mr Tan Kin Lian, CEO, NTUC INCOME
Distinguished guests
It gives me great pleasure to officiate at the launch of the 'Family Ties' video this morning, a joint project between my Ministry and the Law society of Singapore, and produced with the support of NTUC INCOME. This close collaboration between the Government and institutions like the Law Society and NTUC INCOME signals a new chapter in our promotion of the Many Helping Hands Approach. Besides the local voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), it is my hope that more professional bodies will come forward to help us build a more gracious and caring society.
Mr Chandra Mohan Nair has outlined the aims and contents of the video in his speech. I hope that the video will not only provide useful information for the public, but will also serve as a useful tool for VWOs who provide services and help to couples and families.
We in MCD share the Law Society's views on the need to nurture strong and healthy families, and the need for such relationships to be developed over a considerable period of time. Such relationships are essentially very personal ones to individuals and families. But the Government and other organisations can help families overcome challenges and problems that may sometimes impede the development of strong family relationships. Often, all that is needed is a little guidance and facilitation to resolve small conflicts before they grow out of hand. The quality of relationships among members of a family cannot be regulated by law. But the Law can help specify and enforce the rights and obligations of parties where ties and feelings have failed to ensure their proper functioning in the family.
I am glad that the video attempts to present a realistic view of what a marriage really is. Marriage and family is the sum total of joys, pleasures, disappointments and even conflicts experienced by each member. The challenge is to ensure that the problems, difficulties and conflicts do not jeopardise the stability and unity of these institutions. But our lives become more meaningful and fulfilling for our having to face and overcome these challenges in our families.
Government policies are formulated to benefit families and ensure that the family remains the basic unit of society. But Government policies also need to be sensitive to the needs of whom they are meant for, and this was precisely the guiding principle for the Amendments made to the Women's Charter last year. The amendments were the result of feedback from Singaporeans, VWOs, the police, the courts and legal organisations, just to name a few, to address the problems faced in the implementation of the Women's Charter, which was last amended in 1981.
Many who feel they can benefit from the amendments have been eagerly awaiting for their implementation. I am glad to inform you that the Women's Charter (Amendment) Act 1996 will come into effect on 1 May 97. Three existing subsidiary legislations had to be amended and two new subsidiary legislations have been formulated to give effect to the amendments.
There will also be changes to several procedures. Government agencies and VWOS who will be affected by these changes have put in place measures to cope with them. One key objective of the amendments was to promote family well-being and, where this is not possible, the Women's Charter places importance on harmonious resolution of disputes and support for those who need help. To enable social workers to provide support to families facing difficulties, MCD will continue to initiate and support training programmes to enhance and upgrade the skills of social workers especially in the area of family violence. More details on the amended Women's Charter and its implications will be given by MCD at a press conference next Thursday.
I am glad that the video, 'Family Ties', has taken into account the Amendments to the Women's Charter. Indeed, its release at this juncture makes it even more timely as a public awareness tool to inform the public of changes to this important piece of legislation which affects the well-being of all family members. Here I would like to express my appreciation to the Law Society for working with my officers on the project. Thanks also goes to NTUC INCOME for their support. It is my hope that this collaboration will open the floodgate for more of such opportunities.
Thank you.
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