“You’re not just a housewife”: Madam Halimah Yacob celebrates women’s unseen contributions

Graced by Guest of Honour Madam Halimah Yacob, chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former president of Singapore, the 2025 Her World Women of the Year Awards gala paid tribute to the women who have shaped – and continue to shape – Singapore’s social and cultural fabric.

Honouring our pioneers

Reflecting on the magazine’s 65-year history during her keynote speech, Madam Halimah described Her World as both a “mirror reflecting how far women in Singapore have come, and a compass pointing towards what still lies ahead.” Since its launch in 1960, the publication has chronicled women who dared to challenge expectations and leave their mark on society.

Highlighting trailblazers, she spoke of Hedwig Anuar, Singapore’s first female library director; Puan Noor Aisha, an advocate for women’s rights and persons with disabilities; Georgette Chen, whose art captured the young nation’s soul; and Chan Choy Siong, one of Singapore’s first female legislators.

“These women were not just ahead of their time – they shaped their time,” Madam Halimah said.

Our everyday heroes

She also reflected on women’s often-overlooked contributions to Singapore’s industrialisation. “Electronic factory workers – primarily women – came out in droves to work in these factories,” she said.

With her characteristic humour, Madam Halimah highlighted the vital yet invisible work of housewives. “If you are not running the home, certainly it would be very difficult for your spouse to be able to contribute wherever he works. The only difference between you and a worker – someone who works for an organisation – is that you have no overtime… and there’s no limit to your hours of work,” she said.

Drawing also upon her own experience as a 2003 Woman of the Year award recipient, she reflected: “It was the first magazine on women I read… Her World has always inspired me – as it has inspired so many others – to believe that women’s voices can move communities, shape institutions, and redefine what leadership looks like.”

Mentorship matters

She underscored the power of mentorship and collective support in building continuity for future leaders. “We cannot underestimate the power of role models, especially for young women. [Mentorship ensures] every young woman who dreams of leading will find someone who believes in her,” she said, citing the Her World Mentorship Programme and the magazine’s partnership with the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations.

Looking ahead, Madam Halimah also called on the magazine to continue reflecting the full spectrum of women’s experiences – from entrepreneurs and artists to caregivers, teachers, and everyday heroes. “Each story, no matter how small, contributes to a larger truth: that women’s progress is society’s progress,” she emphasised.

Concluding her speech, she celebrated the current award recipients while honouring the legacy of those who came before. To Her World, she expressed gratitude: “Thank you for six and a half decades of lighting the path forward – may you continue to tell the stories that make us proud to be women of Singapore.”

The Her World Women of the Year 2025 gala was made possible with the generous support of official sponsors Cle de Peau Beaute, Shopee, Singtel, and Resorts World Sentosa.