45% feel women in Singapore who wear revealing clothes shouldn’t complain about comments from men: survey
Should women who wear revealing clothes complain if men make comments about their appearances?
45 per cent of respondents here said that they should not, a sentiment that is shared almost equally across both men and women, according to a recent online survey commissioned and conducted by independent research firm Ipsos.
The study’s findings, released on Wednesday (6 March), also revealed that this perspective is more prevalent (52 per cent) amongst those above 50 years old.
41 per cent of 1,019 Singaporeans and permanent residents – interviewed from 30 January to 2 February – also felt that false accusations of sexual harassment are a bigger problem here compared to unreported acts. Of the respondents who shared this view, 45 per cent are aged between 18 and 49 years old.
Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) executive director Corinna Lim called the findings “worrisome for anyone invested in gender equality in Singapore”.
Lim pointed out that false reporting of sexual harassment “is extremely rare” with as few as two per cent of reports estimated to be fake globally.
Calling the idea of false reporting a problem especially found in the workplace, she noted that seven out of 10 victims do not report their sexual harassment, with the number one reason being the fear of not being believed.
“Not only does it suggest that women who speak up about real abuse will not be trusted and supported by HR, but it might also result in men – who still make up most of top management in Singaporean companies – foregoing important mentoring and other interaction with their female colleagues and employees, based on a paranoia about being falsely accused,” said Lim.
The survey also found that 40 per cent felt that false accusations of sexual harassment are becoming more common here. More men (48 per cent) agree or strongly agree with this sentiment compared to women (33 per cent).
Those who were surveyed estimated that an average of 22 per cent of men and 53 per cent of women here have experienced sexual harassment.
Is there gender equality in Singapore?
48 per cent here also believe there is gender equality in Singapore, with 84 per cent believing that there should be equal opportunities available to both men and women.
However, more than half (54 per cent) felt that both genders are better at certain tasks, when given the example that “men are better architects and doctors, women are better caregivers and teachers”.
“While Singapore has been recognised by the United Nations for its gender equality, and despite female representation at the highest levels of government, conservative views on the skills of women are pervasive,” said Ipsos associate research director Robert McPhedran.
While the survey respondents were not prompted or made aware of any reports of a gender pay gap, a third (32 per cent) believe that men and women are not getting paid the same for doing the same job in Singapore. This view is held by significantly more females (40 per cent), and is even more prevalent among those aged between 18 and 24 years old (50 per cent).
“Many Singaporeans – particularly males – misperceive the gender wage gap as an issue of the past, irrespective of recent evidence to the contrary,” added McPhedran.
The survey also found that 47 per cent here are familiar with the #MeToo movement, with slightly more men (49 per cent) than women (45 per cent) indicating that they are somewhat or very familiar.
According to the survey, the top three most important issues facing women and girls here are balancing work and caring responsibilities (41 per cent); sexual harassment (31 per cent); and physical violence (19 per cent).
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