Statute Details
- Title: Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024
- Full Title: N/A
- Act Code: WC1961-S406-2024
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation
- Commencement Date: 1 June 2024
- Parts: N/A
- Key Sections: 1. Citation and commencement, 2. Places of safety, 3. Revocation
- Related Legislation: Women's Charter 1961, Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2014
What Is This Legislation About?
The Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 is a piece of subsidiary legislation enacted under the authority of the Women's Charter 1961. Its primary purpose is to establish a list of designated "places of safety" for the purposes of Part 11 of the Women's Charter. Part 11 of the Women's Charter deals with the protection of women and girls, including provisions for removing them from situations of abuse or exploitation and placing them in safe accommodations.
This Order serves to formally identify and designate certain facilities and institutions as officially recognized "places of safety" where women and girls can be housed and cared for under the framework of the Women's Charter. By specifying these places of safety, the Order provides clarity and guidance to authorities, social workers, and others tasked with implementing the protective measures outlined in the Women's Charter.
What Are the Key Provisions?
The Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 contains three key provisions:
1. Citation and Commencement (Section 1)
This provision states that the Order is titled the "Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024" and that it comes into operation on 1 June 2024.
2. Places of Safety (Section 2)
This is the core provision of the Order, as it lists the specific facilities and institutions that have been designated as "places of safety" for the purposes of Part 11 of the Women's Charter. The 13 places of safety named in the Order are:
- Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home
- Darul Ihsan Lilbanat
- Gladiolus Place
- Good Shepherd Centre
- HCSA Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre
- Marymount Centre
- Melrose Home
- MWS Girls' Residence
- Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls
- Pertapis Children's Home
- Salvation Army Gracehaven
- Singapore Girls' Home
- Sunbeam Place
3. Revocation (Section 3)
This provision revokes the previous Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2014, effectively replacing it with the current 2024 Order.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 is a relatively short and straightforward piece of subsidiary legislation. It consists of only three sections:
- Citation and commencement
- Places of safety
- Revocation
The bulk of the content is contained in Section 2, which lists the 13 designated places of safety. The other two sections provide the legal framework and context for this list.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 is primarily relevant to authorities, social workers, and others tasked with implementing the protective measures outlined in Part 11 of the Women's Charter. By designating specific facilities as "places of safety," the Order provides guidance on where women and girls can be housed and cared for when removed from situations of abuse or exploitation.
The Order itself does not directly impose any obligations or requirements on the general public. However, it supports the broader framework of the Women's Charter, which aims to protect the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in Singapore.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 is an important piece of legislation because it helps to operationalize and give effect to the protective measures outlined in Part 11 of the Women's Charter. By formally designating certain facilities as "places of safety," the Order provides clarity and guidance to those responsible for implementing these protective measures.
Without such an Order, the authorities and social workers tasked with removing women and girls from abusive or exploitative situations would lack a clear, standardized set of approved accommodations where they could be safely housed and cared for. The Order helps to ensure a consistent and effective application of the Women's Charter's protective provisions.
Moreover, the Order's revocation of the previous 2014 version demonstrates the government's ongoing commitment to reviewing and updating this legislation to ensure it remains relevant and effective. This reflects the importance placed on protecting vulnerable women and girls in Singapore.
Related Legislation
- Women's Charter 1961 (the primary legislation that this Order is enacted under)
- Women's Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2014 (the previous version of this Order, which has now been revoked)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Women’s Charter (Places of Safety) Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.