ABSTRACT

Developing an in-depth knowledge of the background of the elected women leaders would enhance the understanding of their electability and representation of their constituencies. This chapter addresses the social demographics of all women candidates elected into the Parliament and appointed to the Cabinet in Singapore between 1984 and 2017. To understand the background and electability of Singaporean women politicians, it provides a brief introduction of the country's party and electoral system, followed by the research method and data used in analyzing the socio-demographic background of women Members of Parliament (MPs). The chapter reviews the key explanations for the demand and supply of women in politics, before considering the limited supply of women candidates in Singapore. It considers why capable women face difficulties achieving cabinet positions, and concludes by summarizing the implications for increasing the supply of women politicians in Singapore.