Intergenerational lunch to celebrate International Women's Day

Singapore

IN celebration of International Women's Day 2019, WINGS (Women's Initiative for Ageing Successfully) organised an intergenerational lunch on Saturday to celebrate the lives of women who are over the age of 40.

Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources & Ministry of Health, was the guest of honour.

Guests were encouraged to attend the lunch with the women in their lives whom they consider to be special and inspiring to them - a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, mentor - to thank them for the impact that they have made on their lives.

Funds raised at the lunch will go to supporting WINGS initiatives which empower women to embrace ageing with confidence through educational programmes that look to their physical, mental and financial well-being.

It is projected that, in a matter of 10 years, the silver population of those over 65 will increase from 14 per cent currently to 21 per cent, or more than one-fifth of the country's population.

WINGS thus sees opportunities in having the silver generation teach younger Singaporeans important life skills, believing that while the young can teach seniors, they can also receive mentorship from them.

Founding president and former Nominated Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Soin said: "As older people live longer and healthier lives and as they continue to work or volunteer their services, they are creating human, financial and social capital."

"Social capital refers to the creation of relationships among persons that facilitate and enhance their actions and interactions. Grandparents play an important role in creating and protecting the family's social capital in times of conflict, ie divorce, and in times of peace, in value transmission, care and support of family members."