Married to Singapore : what are migrant wives saying 'I do' to?

Abstract

Migrant wives are a significant community in Singapore, where nuptials between migrant women and Singaporean men contribute to a quarter of all citizen marriages. Despite being wives and mothers to Singaporeans, migrant wives are still sidelined when it comes to immigration policies, social benefits, and employment opportunities.

Coming from developing nations in Asia, many enter Singapore with little social ties and a lack of knowledge about their rights, leaving them more susceptible to family violence than local wives. Last year, the pandemic had brought to light the severity of family violence cases in Singapore, but the specific issues that abused migrant wives face are still shrouded in darkness. Despite the challenges, some individuals and groups refuse to give up lobbying for these women’s rights.

This feature explores the challenges that these women have to overcome, the Singaporeans who fight alongside them, and the complexities that come with marrying into Singapore.