Advancing Child’s Rights– The Singapore Experience

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee ShoonMinister-of-State

for Community Development, Youth and SportsHigh Level Meeting on Cooperation for Child Rights in

the Asia Pacific Region 5 November 2010

Singapore Total Population (Million)

Source: Singapore Department of Statistics, Census 2010

1970 1980 1990 2000 20100

1

2

3

4

5

6

2.01 2.282.74

3.273.77

0.060.13

0.31

0.75

1.31

Resident Population Non-Resident Population

Singapore’s Age Composition(Resident Population)

Source: Singapore Department of Statistics, Census 2010

17.4%

73.7%

9.0%

Below 15 years 15 - 64 years 65 years and above

4

Best Interest of the Child

Family as first line of support

Many Helping Hands

Protect Children through Legislative Provisions

Guiding Principles

5

Child Development in Singapore

Ensure Basic Health Provide Quality Education

Strengthen Families Secure Safety &Legislative Protection

Promote Leisure, Culture and Sports

Social AssistanceHelping needy families and children

Promoting Health

1990 1999 2005 2006 2007 2008 20090

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 6.6

3.3

2.12.6

2.1 2.1 2.2

Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births)

Source: Singapore Department of Statistics

Promoting Health

• Quality and accessible health care

• One of the lowest infant mortality at 2.2 per 1000 live births

• Immunisation and health screening through school health programmes

• Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children

Literacy Rates

Source: Singapore Department of Statistics

Year

Per Cent

Promoting Quality Education

• Compulsory Education Act in place since 2003

• Other educational pathways- Singapore Sports School- School of the Arts- Northlight / Assumption Pathway School- Special Education Schools

• Childcare / Pre-school education

• Financial assistance for needy children

Protecting Children

• Legislative protections Children and Young Persons Act Women’s Charterhttp://statutes.agc.gov.sg/

• Greater awareness of child abuse, and seeking help for family violence

Child Protection System National Family Violence Networking System Victim Assistance and Support Services

Nurturing Families

Building strong families– National Family Council

http://www.nfc.org.sg – Dad’s For Life Movement

http://www.dadsforlife.sg

Philosophy and Practice for Child Rights in the Asia Pacific Region

• Acknowledging Cultural Diversity

• Our Children are unique

• Children as our partners

THANK YOU