Today, we see a significant increase in female union membership. As at December 2005, there are a total of 100,043 female union members, representing 41% of the overall union membership.

The sharp increase in the female union membership is due partly to the larger number of women participating in the workforce today, and also because work places that employ a large number of women are highly organized. Women have become a significant presence in the work place and in the trade unions. Hence, the role of the NTUC Women’s Committee is important in providing support, information and directions on issues affecting women.

The NTUC Women’s Committee is a sub-committee of the NTUC Central Committee, and is appointed once every four years. The representatives on the NTUC Women’s Committee are drawn from the affiliated unions of NTUC. Quite a number of these affiliates have also established their own women’s sub-committees to cater to members’ needs.