Women Entrepreneurs in Singapore: From Representation to Voice
On 18 March 2026, as part of the continued observance of International Women’s Day, the Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Circle convened a timely gathering of founders, professionals and community leaders — a reminder that in Singapore, the conversation on women’s advancement is moving beyond representation towards voice, resilience and influence.
Guest-of-Honour Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development, and Member of Parliament for Punggol West, brought policy weight to that message. Her presence reflected a broader national reality: women today own about one in four resident-owned businesses in Singapore, or roughly 36,000 enterprises — clear evidence that female entrepreneurship is no longer peripheral, but an established force in the economy.
A defining moment of the event came from Elsie Liow 廖茹芩, Founder of Adepture, who was invited as the only Singapore female entrepreneur speaker on stage. Her remarks did not dwell on slogans. Instead, they illuminated what leadership often demands of women in real life: the strength to carry family responsibilities, the courage to endure personal trials, and the clarity to speak up for one’s own dignity and future.
It was a message delivered with grace, conviction and warmth — and one that stayed with the room long after the session ended.
