Singapore has one of the most diverse societies and advanced economies in the world, relative to population size, but a new survey has found that there is still a significant gender gap here.
According to the survey, which was conducted by Ipsos, a France-headquartered global market research and consulting firm, about 57 per cent of Singaporean men believe that they are experiencing discrimination as a result of equality measures for women. Notably, about 39 per cent of Singaporean women believe this, too.
With both genders taken together, a total of 48 per cent respondents in Singapore believe that equality for women is resulting in discrimination against men.
Moreover, 58 per cent of all the Singaporean respondents feel that men are expected to do “too much” to ensure gender equality for women. This figure has been averaged out of 68 per cent men (i.e. at least 2 in every 3 men) and 47 per cent women who believe in this “too much” theory.
Singapore is part of a global gender study done by Ipsos in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London for International Women’s Day.
The Singapore results are based on the responses given by 500 Singaporeans, aged 21 to 74 years, between December 22, 2023, and January 5, 2024. Respondents from 30 other countries have also taken part in the survey.
In a media release, Katherine Zhou, Ipsos country manager for Singapore, says: “It’s revealing to see a majority believe that women’s rights in Singapore have reached an adequate level, yet there is a significant gender difference in these perceptions.
“The concern expressed by 48 per cent of [overall] respondents that the promotion of women’s equality might be discriminating against men is notable and warrants further examination.”
Fear over advocating women’s rights
In the Ipsos survey, 48 per cent of all Singaporean respondents (45 per cent of men; and 51 per cent of women) said that they were “scared” to advocate the rights of women for fear of facing the consequence of such advocacy.
A total of 57 per cent of Singaporeans (52 per cent of men; and 62 per cent of women) believe that for women to achieve equality in the country, men must support the rights ensuring equality.
A total of 62 per cent of Singaporeans (68 per cent of men; and 55 per cent of women) believe that “enough” has been done for gender equality in the country.
Male boss often preferred over female boss
When it comes to trusting the business acumen of men and women, there seems to be a level playing field — 2 out of every 3 survey respondents believe that both male and female leaders can create a financially successful organisation (58 per cent) or an innovative company (60 per cent).
However, a man is still preferred over a woman by those who do not see men and women being equally competent in an organisational leadership role. In this segment of respondents, 16 per cent think that men are better and 8 per cent think that women are better.
In the matter of the gender of their immediate boss, 36 per cent of the surveyed Singaporeans prefer a man, while only 10 per cent prefer a woman. However, 51 per cent of the respondents chose to be neutral about this.
Interestingly, about 2 out of 3 Singaporeans (63 per cent) have no preference in the gender of their political leaders.
Different issues for male and female politicians
The survey has revealed that Singaporeans think male and female politicians are better at handling specific issues.
The following issues were surveyed and the percentage figures indicate the percentage of respondents who think male/female politicians are better for that specific issue.
- Fighting crime — male politician (21 per cent); female politician (6 per cent)
- Defending national security — male politician (24 per cent); female politician (7 per cent)
- Getting the economy back on track — male politician (15 per cent); female politician (8 per cent)
- Helping the less advantaged — female politician (15 per cent); male politician (7 per cent)
- Treating women fairly — female politician (24 per cent); male politician (8 per cent)
- Treating ethnic minorities fairly — female politician (12 per cent); male politician (7 per cent)
- Treating LGBT+ individuals fairly — female politician (13 per cent); male politician (6 per cent)