Quantcast IMOW - Growing up in a Modern City
Stories
Themes
Love
Relationships in changing times. See the Stories>>

Money
Working women talk finances. See the Stories>>

Culture and Conflict
Are we destined to disagree? See the Stories>>

The Future
Envisioning the next 30 years. See the Stories>>

Highlights
Highlighted stories in film, art, music and more. See the Stories>>

War & Dialogue
Speaking from war. Advocating peace. See the Stories>>

Young Men
Our generation: young men speak out. See the Stories>>

Motherhood
Women get candid about pregnancy, parenting and choice. See the Stories>>

Image and Identity
Appearances aren't everything, or are they? See the Stories>>

Online Film Festival
31 films from women directors around the world. See the Stories>>

A Generation Defined
Who are young women today? See the Stories>>

Best of Contest
You came, you saw, you voted. Here are the winners. See the Stories>>
Conversations
What Defines Your Generation of Women?
selected theme



HOME  |   EXPLORE OTHER THEMES     |   STORIES     |  CONVERSATION    |  EVENTS  |  TAKE ACTION  |  ABOUT
Search:  
  GO  
REGISTER  |  LOGIN Change Language»    Invite a friend »
STORY OPTIONS
READ STORY IN
PRINT
SAVE TO YOUR SAVED STORIES
SUBSCRIBE TO STORY
SEND THIS STORY TO A FRIEND
ADD YOUR STORY
TAKE ACTION
Support the Fair Trade of Products made by AFEDES
IDEX’s Partner AFEDES makes scarves that are sold through Mercado Global, an online fair trade organization.
Give a Gift of Conscience to ensure Food Security of our partners GRAVIS, Sahyog Sansthan and Manavi.
Give friends and family meaningful gifts on any special occasion – Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries.
STATISTICS:
In countries such as Australia, Canada, Thailand and the United States, over 30% of all businesses are now owned or operated by women, with Thailand topping the list at almost 40%.
Growing up in a Modern City
Ping Ping Han
SingaporeGALLERYCONVERSATION
Stepping into the 21st Century, I feel that much more opportunities have been opened to me, as compared to those that were available to my mother or grandmother.

One of such opportunities was certainly the ability to enjoy an education. An education was considered an expensive recourse back in my mother’s generation, and more so during my grandmother’s.

In my university, I am strongly involved in advocating social entrepreneurship, through avid participations in my school club, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), an international non-profit organization. With greater opportunities, come greater responsibilities. Through the past year in SIFE, I have been involved in projects that seek to provide women with skills and knowledge to improve their lives.

I was personally involved in a project that was spearheaded by a female executive who left the corporate world to impart skills to women who were the sole breadwinners of their families because of certain tragedies that had befallen them. This was a cottage industry that focused on candle and soap making.

Through this project, I had the opportunity to work with these women, imparting the skills of entrepreneurship. We also had to ensure sustainability of this cottage industry by securing contracts for the soaps and candles made by the women in the Cottage with corporate firms such as spas, resorts and hotels; instead of merely depending upon passer-by consumers. These skills now provide them with a livelihood. Being involved in improving the livelihoods of these women is challenging, because I have to ensure that my entrepreneurial idea is not only sustainable, but also profitable! My team and I had to spend much time brainstorming for the above-mentioned solutions to the problems that were faced by this Cottage industry. Through this collaboration, we saw an increase from 6 to 26 women that could be employed by the cottage, and a 300% increase in revenue for this Singapore cottage industry.

By equipping women with skills instead of providing mere monetary donations, I feel that we will be able to make a difference in their lives, and to instill a sense of confidence in themselves by having the ability to provide for their families.

As the eldest child of three in my family, I have had my fair share of responsibilities, and opportunities as well. I am blessed to be born in Singapore, where there is an ocean of opportunities. I pride myself as a confident, independent and determined, and given the environment that is present in Singapore, I am certainly able to better improve myself, through rigorous academic challenges, as well as learning the ways of society and life by engaging in collaborative efforts with external organizations.

In 2006, I will be 21 years old! This seems to be an important milestone in any individual’s life. Thus, I am anticipating what 2006 will bring to my family and me. I am also currently in the second year of my tertiary education in the Singapore Management University (SMU) in Singapore. As the eldest in a family of three, I would also have to play the role of “adviser” to my siblings aged 19 and 12.

I hope that my small contribution in the form of my essay will encourage female peers all around the world to also pen down their opinions and thoughts. I feel that it is only through sharing can one learn the most. I would also hope that my work in society through SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) would help better the lives of those families impacted.
FLAG THIS STORY FOR REVIEW
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS STORY
Add
Gina (United States)
Like Pin Pin Pang, I believe that education is a great investment because helps and changes people's life. These women are not only gaining more confidence in themselves but also are becoming part of their society. And these small changes allows increase other women's chances to develop in other areas outside the household.
ashley Vance (United States)
It's amazing how globalization has spread through education throughout the world to help women. This story really proves how important education is in getting women into the public sphere and out of "invisible work", but not so much out of the private sphere. It's amazing that Ping Ping Han has made her way into the public sphere of work, but still has many responsibilities in the private sphere.
Kramer Blake (United States)
Many of the stories I've read recently are concerned with the advancement of education/career leading to a decrease in culture. I love that Ping Ping Han is using her education to help to educate other women in making good wages while still at home. This way they can better their status in their community without giving up their cultural identity.
Chester Ng (Singapore)
I totally agree that women in today's world should be freed from bias and freed from the stereotype of being the less inferior species. Women in today's metropolitan world are getting fitter and stronger in their ability to handle situations, Respect! Interesting viewpoint.
Venetia (Australia)
indeed the women in singapore have been fortunate to develop themselves in the myriad of amazing opportunities. even the young are made aware of the limitless borders!
 
ADDED STORIES (0)
Add
RELATED ITEMS (18)

 
Lorena Ochoa
Mexico
I started playing golf at the age of five. We lived next to...
GO TO STORY »
Katherine Zavala
Peru
I consider women of my generation to be the children of...
GO TO STORY »
Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya
India
Despite the extensive academic training I have received, I...
GO TO STORY »
Odette Mukeshimana
Rwanda
I live in Rwanda with my younger sisters Brigitte...
GO TO STORY »

©2008 International Museum of Women / Privacy Policy and Disclaimer / Translated by 101translations / Change Language
The content in this exhibit does not necessarily represent the opinions of the International Museum of Women, or its partners or sponsors.