We all know the woes of Singapore’s ageing population, and the heavy burden of caregiving falling upon younger generations. But have you ever considered how gender factors into this?

Unequal gender norms disproportionately task women with the responsibility of caregiving for older persons in Singapore. Increasingly, these women tend to be a family’s unmarried daughters. They tend to stay out of the workforce for an average of nine years in order to provide care.

These findings are the result of “Make Care Count”, AWARE’s year-long research project on the retirement adequacy of female caregivers for older persons—a qualitative study of 22 caregivers and 22 eldercare industry stakeholders, including academics, service providers, medical social workers, community hospitals, cluster support services, relevant government ministries.

Will these female caregivers be able to save for their own future needs, against increasing odds of ageing into frailty and poorer health? And if not, what can we all do about it?

AWARE has a way for you to help. On 5 October, join us to devise concrete recommendations for AWARE to submit to the 2020 National Budget. These policy recommendations are a great way to ask the Singapore government to recognise and alleviate the financial cost of caregiving that family caregivers bear.

Some ideas we will discuss are:

• ensuring a more equal distribution of care,
• allowing working caregivers to better balance work and care,
• giving financial recognition for caregiving labour, and
• reducing caregivers’ out of pocket expenditure on care-related expenses.

Event Schedule:

1. Presentation of AWARE’s research findings from the “Make Care Count” report
2. A panel discussion (panelists to be announced)
3. Facilitated small group discussions. From your experiences, ideas and opinions, we’ll generate a list of budget recommendations. AWARE will then curate and raise these to the government in January 2020.

This event is free, and designed for anyone who believes in supporting caregivers now, before they become crippled by a lack of financial resources in the future. We will all be affected by ageing and distribution of care in Singapore. Have your voice heard in this urgent national discussion.

About A Good Space:

This event is co-hosted with A Good Space, where changemakers flourish as a community to imagine and create experiences that expand perspectives across diverse social issues. From Poverty Simulations to a Feast with Seniors, come learn about a wide range of social issues through innovative activities. To learn more and join the community, visit their website at agoodspace.org

In registering for this event, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information for the purposes of this event only, in accordance to the Personal Data Protection Act (2012).

Register now!