MSF will continue to build on collaborative approach to supporting families: Masagos

Straits Times

3 days ago

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli reiterated the Government's upcoming plans to support families. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
MSF will continue to build on collaborative approach to supporting families: Masagos
SINGAPORE – Shortly after getting married in 2021, social worker Eleanore James and her husband Timothy James started trying for a child – something Mr James had always wanted.
But two months in, she experienced a sharp abdominal pain which landed her in the hospital. A battery of tests found cancer in both her ovaries.
She said: 'My oncologist told us the very devastating news that it is not possible for us to have children.
'I felt like our world crashed. I had to make a difficult decision to propose an annulment to Timothy since we were still newly married.'
But Mr James refused: 'I did not even want to reconsider. I remembered my wedding vows towards her – in sickness and in health.'
On May 31, the couple's story was featured in an interactive exhibition at the launch of this year's National Family Festival.
The showcase features a selection of stories about the ups and downs of family life submitted by over 500 families for a campaign run by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) called 'Real Families, Real Stories'.
Mrs Eleanore James and her husband Timothy James participated in MSF's "Real Families, Real Stories" campaign because they wanted to bring hope to other couples.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF TIMOTHY AND ELEANOR JAMES
Mrs James, now 36, and Mr James, a 43-year-old halfway house operations assistant, chose to participate because they wanted to bring hope to other couples.
The launch event was held at the Singapore Expo, and marks the start of a series of events across the island in June.
Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli gave a speech at the festival's launch – his first since the general election and being sworn in on May 23.
He reiterated the Government's upcoming plans to support families, such as the increase in shared parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks in April 2026, and more benefits for couples who have two or more children announced at the 2025 Budget.
He said: 'Family is critical to our journey in our life, and also as a nation... As our society evolves, so do the needs of our families. They change, and therefore we must ensure that familial support systems remain relevant and robust.'
These moves were implemented as part of a plan launched three years ago – 'A Singapore Made for Families 2025', he said.
'This marked a pivotal shift in how we support and uplift families. Through the plan, we established a collaborative approach, where we integrate government support across every stage of family life, to ensure that families have a comprehensive ecosystem of support.'
The launch event for this year's National Family Festival at the Singapore Expo marks the start of a series of events across the island in June.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
MSF will continue to build on the progress of the last three years, Mr Masagos added.
At the Forward Singapore engagement sessions, many shared their hopes and concerns for the future, including in areas such as cost of living, housing accessibility and affordability, and fostering more family-friendly practices, he noted.
'We have heard you, and will continue to enhance our support for families,' he said.
The Government's vision is to build a Singapore made for families, but this is not something it can do alone, Mr Masagos said.
'We cannot realise this vision on our own. Throughout the decades, we have seen community participation and partnership playing a significant role in the success of our nation, and therefore in fulfilling this vision.'
With the partnership between the community, corporates and the Government, efforts are amplified and more lives are reached, he added.
'We all have a part to play in this journey. Let us continue to build a Singapore in which every family feels valued and supported, wherever they may be in life,' he said.
One family at the event was retired contractor Toh Chee Keong, 57, and housewife Vu Thi Sam, 42, with their six children aged between four and 18.
Mr Toh said having a large family is a joy, but good finances are the most important ingredient in making it work.
He said: 'I'm lucky enough that I can support my family... We have two helpers to do the housework, which really lessens our burden. So we just enjoy watching our children and playing with them.'
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