Speech by Minister Indranee Rajah at the launch of YWCA’s Hopemaker Movement

President of YWCA, Ms Sim Hwee Hoon
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good afternoon to all. It is my honour to join you today at this very special occasion – the official launch of the YWCA’s Hopemaker Movement and Women’s Business Accelerator Programme, in commemoration of YWCA’s 150^th year of empowering women in Singapore. That’s amazing – 150 years of empowering women. Give yourselves a big hand!

To reach 150 is truly a remarkable milestone. For generations, YWCA has pioneered various initiatives to support women in Singapore. These 150 years speak of the legacy that YWCA has left. A legacy of love, service and community – of women helping women, and uplifting families.

We know that women often juggle multiple roles in their lives – as mothers, caregivers, breadwinners and more. Many do so with strength and quiet resilience. It is not easy managing work while raising children, caring for elderly family members while navigating economic uncertainties, or striving to improve their lives while dealing with daily responsibilities. These challenges are felt even more acutely by women from disadvantaged backgrounds who may have limited access to education or training, unstable employment, unsafe home environments, or a lack of support networks. Without the right resources and opportunities, it is incredibly difficult for these women to break out of the cycle of hardship and build a better future for themselves and their families.

On the Government’s part, we are doing more to support vulnerable families. Through initiatives like ComCare, we provide financial assistance to help lower-income households meet their daily living expenses, and grants and subsidies to ensure that housing, education, and healthcare remain accessible and affordable. As part of the Forward Singapore exercise, the Government has also shifted our focus beyond just providing assistance for basic needs to empowering families to achieve their aspirations. One way we do so is via ComLink+, where family coaches journey with families and co-create action plans that are tailored to their strengths, needs and goals. Through the ComLink+ Progress Packages, we boost families’ efforts by providing financial top-ups to those who take action in pre-school enrolment and attendance, employment, debt clearance and home ownership.

But Government cannot do this alone. Partners like YWCA are critical in helping us achieve the goal of helping every family achieve stability, self-reliance and social mobility.  And in YWCA’s case, they do so by offering a range of programmes to uplift women facing challenging circumstances.

YWCA’s Hopemaker Movement marks a bold new step forward in supporting women and creating opportunities for them to thrive. By affirming potential, building confidence and facilitating access to meaningful economic and social participation, the programmes under the Hopemaker Movement will empower women and their families, helping them achieve greater financial stability and security.

I am happy to see how the Women’s Business Accelerator Programme – the first initiative launched under the Hopemaker Movement – is already making an impact. It supports women from low-income or marginalised backgrounds, by providing them with training, mentorship and resources to turn their micro-businesses into sustainable and scalable ones.

We have heard the powerful stories of women – Cathy, who wants to build a ceramic business with her son; Afiqah, who is creating a halal food brand rooted in heritage and resilience; and Cherry, who is turning beauty and wellness into a pathway of healing and hope for others to experience. These are stories of real inspiration.

To all Hopemakers embarking on this journey with YWCA’s Business Accelerator Programme, I offer you my best wishes and encouragement. You are taking a courageous step to make hope happen for yourself and your families.

Partners like YWCA show us how a whole-of-society effort enables us to build a stronger and more caring society. They play an essential role in our support ecosystem – by understanding needs, mobilising expertise and resources, and delivering care and support to those who need it. We look forward to more of such efforts and partnerships, so we can all work together to build a more caring and inclusive society for all.

Conclusion

Once again, congratulations to YWCA on your incredible 150-year journey. Thank you so much for inviting me.