Introduction

Rani, then aged 26, came into Singapore as a foreign bride and married her 46 year-old Singaporean husband in 1997. She was constantly abused both physically and mentally and marital rape was common in their relationship. She was persuaded by her mother to carry on for the sake of her daughter and that this was her lot in life. Her husband only got worse as he eventually lost his job and the only livelihood the family was relying on as the abuse intensified. When he finally passed away in 2007, her marital woes did not end. She was left stranded without a house as she had always been under a social visit pass and she was not qualified to receive PR status despite living in Singapore for over 10 years and having a daughter. This also excluded her from free or subsidized healthcare and job opportunities because she is seen as a foreigner in the eyes of the law. Rani only finally obtained her PR status on compassionate grounds through the continued efforts of social workers in 2008 but without qualifications, she could only work as a cleaner with salary of $600 to support both her daughter, her family in India and herself.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Genevieve Jiang. More foreign brides suffering in silence. The New Paper, March 13, 2009. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/2656]

The tale of Rani is not exclusively her lot in life. Similar stories are becoming commonplace among the growing numbers of foreign brides in Singapore, some of which unlike Ranis case, ends in tragedy.[footnoteRef:2] National statistics shows a sharp rise in marriages among Singapore citizen (SC) grooms and foreign (Non-SC) brides, with figures around 6,360 in 2008, making up about three quarters of the total marriages between SC and Non-SC.[footnoteRef:3] SC-grooms aged 40 and up make up over 30% of these marriages and about 27% of these marriages involved non-SC brides under 40.[footnoteRef:4] These numbers are set to increase as Singapore increasingly becomes an attractive immigration spot for these foreign brides, joining countries such as Japan and South Korea.[footnoteRef:5] The local demand for these brides has also encouraged a proliferation of foreign bride matchmaking agencies in Singapore, with about 70 of such agencies in operation since 2006.[footnoteRef:6] Reported cases of marital violence in these marriages however remain elusive and often underreported but analysts estimate that foreign women are three times as likely to face domestic violence than the general public[footnoteRef:7] while non-government organizations such as Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant People (ACMI) have reported receiving up to 30 of such cases in Singapore during 2011.[footnoteRef:8] Other local NGOs have also reported similar increase in trends of foreign brides seeking refuge over domestic abuse cases in the last few years.[footnoteRef:9] [2: Channel NewsAsia. 13 November 2005. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://unwomen-nc.org.sg/resources/2005/13Nov2005_AWARE%20believes%20some%20foreign%20brides%20mum%20on%20spousal%20abuse.pdf] [3: National Population Secretariat. Marriages between Singapore citizen and non-Singapore citizens, 1998-2008. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. https://www.nptd.gov.sg/content/NPTD/news/_jcr_content/par_content/download_4/file.res/Marriages%20between%20citizens%20and%20non-citizens,%201998-2008.pdf] [4: ibid] [5: Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM). Psychological Profile and Perspectives of Foreign Brides. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/psychosocial_profile_0807.pdf] [6: Patricia Gauthier & Adelyn Lim. Beyond Happily Ever After: Making A Match Between Singapore Grooms and Foreign Brides. AWARE Position Paper, November 2006. Accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-Happily-Ever-After.pdf] [7: April Thomson. Love For Sale: The mail order bride industry. Asian Geographic No.6, 2007. Pp 68-77. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aprilwrites.com/articles/community/LoveforSale.pdf] [8: Amanda Phua. Brides are not commodities The New Paper, February 24, 2012. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://acmi.sg/Files/Documents/TNP%20Article%2024022012.pdf] [9: AWARE Singapore. General Recommendation 19: Violence against women. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Pp 1-16. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/ips/docs/events/CDD_CEDAW%20Report_050312/CEDAW%20Shadow%20Report%20GR19%20AWARE_2011.pdf]

AimThe aim of this paper is to highlight the urgent concerns of the foreign bride arena on three areas and provide modest policy recommendations to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to address them. One, the current patriarchal arrangements in these marriages breeds a highly hostile environment for these foreign women, leaving them extremely vulnerable to abuse and marital rape by their spouses without any avenues to seek justice. Second, the foreign bride market is not adequately regulated to prevent manipulation and malpractices that exploits both foreign brides and the local grooms, putting them at greater risks of marital problems and promotes human trafficking. Lastly, the current policy framework in place is not sufficient or even detrimental in addressing the issues listed in the first two areas, allowing more victims to fall through the social security nets. As an organization that fundamentally believes in achieving gender equality through the removal of gender based barriers, we (AWARE Singapore) assert that the more can and should be done in this marital arena, especially towards the women. Issues and ConcernsThe patriarchy of mail-order marriages leading to domestic violence in SingaporeThe nature of such marital arrangements is often highlighted as willing parties within a social exchange arrangement seeking out the best for themselves. SC-grooms seek the demure, traditional and family-oriented foreign brides in exchange for an easy opportunity for the women to escape poverty and a chance at a better standard of living. Stereotypical images of Singaporean men being more faithful to their wives and hardworking breadwinners than their local counterparts also contribute to foreign women seeking Singaporean men.[footnoteRef:10] In reality however, the current issues in these marital unions go beyond just mere willing social exchanges and puts the sanctity of these families at serious risk. [10: Theresa Tan. More Singapore men marrying foreign Asian brides. The Straits Times, 02 October 2013. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/18558]

The first issue is the element of slavery in these marriages. The demands of the SC-grooms of their foreign brides are often regarded as commodities that are justified by the price paid for the marital union. Thus, by paying a mere $10,000 for the expenses[footnoteRef:11], the men often think they are buying the womb of the woman for offspring, the body for sexual pleasures and her labor for his care.[footnoteRef:12] To the SC-groom, he views his spouse as his woman which he has alleviated from the misery of poverty back in her hometown. Thus, the power relations in the relationship is often already skewed in favor of the SC-groom and when their spouses resists in the demands, the men may not feel guilt or even feel entitled to force his will upon her. Thus, the social exchanges may not even exist between the two individuals and in place instead is more akin to an economic exchange between the SC-groom and an agent for the bride. [11: Youtube Vietnamese Mail-Order Bride #2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FScBxMqC9cI#!] [12: Amanda Phua. Brides are not commodities The New Paper, February 24, 2012. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://acmi.sg/Files/Documents/TNP%20Article%2024022012.pdf]

The second issue follows the power relations from the first but in the perspectives of the women. The primary concern is that despite knowing that they are in desperate conditions, these women often feel that it is a normal outcome and their lot in lives, reflecting the situation in Ranis case earlier. This is the result of the patriarchal bargain mechanism that is prevalent in many of these Southeast Asian regions, especially in areas such as rural China or Vietnam.[footnoteRef:13] Many of these foreign brides are brought up in societies that are highly patriarchal as well as patrilineal, and are not accustomed to resist violence and abuse from both male and more senior female actors in their societies.[footnoteRef:14],[footnoteRef:15] In many of these societies, the significance of the bride price also functions as a legitimate exchange for the obedience of these women to be subjugated to the lower ranks in the family.[footnoteRef:16] As such, these foreign spouses are more tolerant of domestic violence and regard atrocities such as marital rape as their husbands rights. Their importing of patriarchal marital union standards from their societies into Singapore puts these women at greater risk of accepting abuse and not seeking help beyond the private sphere because they may be seen as shameful or undutiful.[footnoteRef:17] [13: Nazli Kibiria. Power, Patriarchy, and Gender Conflict in the Vietnamese Immigrant Community. Gender and Society, vol. 4, No. 1, March 1990. Pp 9-24. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.udel.edu/anthro/psw/kibria.pdf] [14: ibid] [15: Deniz Kandiyoti. Bargaining with Patriarchy. Gender and Society, Vol. 2, No. 3, September 1988. Pp 274-290. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.smi.uib.no/seminars/Pensum/kandiyoti,%20Deniz.pdf] [16: ibid] [17: Nazli Kibiria. Power, Patriarchy, and Gender Conflict in the Vietnamese Immigrant Community. Gender and Society, vol. 4, No. 1, March 1990. Pp 9-24. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. ]

The third issue involves the mismatch of networks available for the foreign women to seek support or refuge once she arrives into Singapore. Most of these women do not know who to turn to during distress nor do they know their rights.[footnoteRef:18] Language barriers also often become an issue when the women are unable express their situations.[footnoteRef:19] At the same time, these women are often not aware of the profiles of their spouses during the time of the marriage nor do they remain in connection with the agents that brought them into Singapore.[footnoteRef:20] Thus they are at a severely disadvantaged position when the spouses, who are supposed to be their only local financial and legal guardian, become the primary perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse.[footnoteRef:21] These women are forced to endure abuse for fear of being repatriated through divorce and returning home in shame.[footnoteRef:22] Moreover, their application for PR status, social visit pass and daily subsistence is solely under the control of their spouses.[footnoteRef:23] The combination of all these factors creates even greater inertia towards reporting against or resisting their spouses even if the legal system offers equal protection for foreign wives. [18: Amanda Phua. Brides are not commodities The New Paper, February 24, 2012. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://acmi.sg/Files/Documents/TNP%20Article%2024022012.pdf] [19: April Thomson. Love For Sale: The mail order bride industry. Asian Geographic No.6, 2007. Pp 68-77. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aprilwrites.com/articles/community/LoveforSale.pdf] [20: Amanda Phua. Brides are not commodities The New Paper, February 24, 2012. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://acmi.sg/Files/Documents/TNP%20Article%2024022012.pdf] [21: April Thomson. Love For Sale: The mail order bride industry. Asian Geographic No.6, 2007. Pp 68-77. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aprilwrites.com/articles/community/LoveforSale.pdf] [22: Channel NewsAsia. 13 November 2005. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://unwomen-nc.org.sg/resources/2005/13Nov2005_AWARE%20believes%20some%20foreign%20brides%20mum%20on%20spousal%20abuse.pdf] [23: Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Singapore. http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=175&secid=171]

Malpractices in matchmaking agenciesInadequate regulation of the foreign bride matchmaking market in Singapore has also exacerbated the issues listed above. To date, regulations towards the industry have only been categorized under the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) jurisdictions.[footnoteRef:24] Regulations that aim at accrediting best practices in these foreign matchmaking agencies are not legally required or are enforced, even when a framework is available from the Social Development Network agency (SDN).[footnoteRef:25] In the foreign bride industry, matchmaking agencies remain absent in associations such as the Association for Dating Agencies and Matchmakers (ADAMS).[footnoteRef:26] Compared to other similar migrant-related industries such as domestic help agencies, the foreign-bride matchmaking agencies are far more prone to exploitation and in certain cases have already breached laws concerning human trafficking-related issues in overseas.[footnoteRef:27] These agencies also act as potential instruments in sham marriages and sex-trafficking cases in Singapore due to the lack of proper corporate governance in these areas.[footnoteRef:28],[footnoteRef:29] This puts foreign brides at greater risks of sex-related exploitation by their spouses and agencies when they are rejected and sent away after being taken advantaged without legal protection.[footnoteRef:30] [24: Ministry of Social and Family Development: Media Queries. http://app.msf.gov.sg/PressRoom/Marriagemediaqueries.aspx] [25: ibid] [26: Association of Dating Agencies and Matchmakers (ADAMS). http://www.adams.org.sg/] [27: Crystal Chan. Were bride brokers, not human traffickers. The New Paper, December 28, 2009. Last Accessed on 17th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/6731] [28: Crystal Chan. Sham marriage ring exposed The New Paper, June 14, 2010. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20100614-222065.html] [29: AWARE Singapore. Article 6: Trafficking and Exploitation of Women. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/ARTICLES-6.pdf] [30: Patricia Gauthier & Adelyn Lim. Beyond Happily Ever After: Making A Match Between Singapore Grooms and Foreign Brides. AWARE Position Paper, November 2006. Accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-Happily-Ever-After.pdf]

Assessing other policy measuresApart from the various policies mentioned above, the current policies involving subsidized/free healthcare services, employment regulations and finance related issues has created further implications to the plight of these foreign women and the couples family. Although the introduction of the Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus promised greater coverage[footnoteRef:31], the bureaucratic process and discretionary approval rates often leave affected families with uncertainties, frustrations and lost economic opportunities.[footnoteRef:32] These women are also often excluded from financial instruments such being able to open a bank account, or acquire legal loans and personal insurances because of their foreign status with little to no income, depriving them of the means to savings and protection for them and their children.[footnoteRef:33] Current policies have also not attempted at addressing the social stigmas which many of these foreign brides face during their residence that often undermine their rights as a woman.[footnoteRef:34] Meanwhile on the international stage, the lack of a serious consideration within the policies to tackle issues of potential trafficking, domestic violence and marital rapes in the foreign brides arena puts Singapore at risk of being seen as not only condoning modern slavery, sexual exploitation, trafficking and double standards in rights compared to local women, but in fact supporting these atrocities, in regards to the treatment of foreign brides in Singapore.[footnoteRef:35] [31: Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Singapore. http://www.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12665] [32: Straits Times Singapore. February 12, 2013. http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/dilemma-foreign-bride-no-long-term-pass-20130212] [33: AWARE Singapore. Article 4: Special Measures. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/ARTICLES-4.pdf] [34: April Thomson. Love For Sale: The mail order bride industry. Asian Geographic No.6, 2007. Pp 68-77. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aprilwrites.com/articles/community/LoveforSale.pdf] [35: United Nations General Assembly. Women Anti-Discrimination Committee Commends Singapore on Progress, but presses it to withdraw reservations to convention, strengthen domestic legal framework. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/wom1647.doc.htm]

Policy RecommendationThe recommendations brought forward to the MSF aims at providing the following resolutions: (1) Empowering foreign women in such marriages through awareness, education, legal protection and enforcement as well as a proper social support strategy through the Many Helpings Hands (MHH) approach. (2) Increased regulations within the foreign-bride matchmaking industry with an added legal enforcement and persecution complying with the strict anti-trafficking stance in Singapore. (3) Adequately address the issues of access to healthcare, employment and financial instruments through a revamp on the current areas of exclusions and discriminations in several policies, including the Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus. Empowerment strategies through the Many Helping Hands approach.Resources and public awarenessAligning with the current stance of the Singapore Governments in addressing social issues as an enabler, we first propose that the concerns of these foreign brides and their family be incorporated into MHH approach as an entity with its own funds set aside instead of being categorized under the low income or VWO donations segment of the amount in the budget.[footnoteRef:36] This creates the much needed resources for the various bodies in the MHH approach to step up in its research and program coverage specifically in this area. Government agencies such as the National Council of Social Service should coordinate with Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs) that are already dealing with such marital violence to collect more data and analysis so as to further understand this phenomenon, especially in severely underreported areas such as marital rape. This fund allocation also creates the much needed emphasis for this issue to be raised into public discussions as well as parliamentary debates. [36: Braema, Mathi & Sharifah Mohamed. Unmet Social Needs in Singapore. Lien Centre for Social Innovation Social Insight Series. October 2011. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg/downloads/Unmet_Social_Needs_in_Singapore.pdf]

Additionally, the MSF should take a leading example by setting an agenda for a campaign aimed at raising awareness, dispelling stigmas and providing avenues of social support for families with foreign brides within this year. This campaign will go hand-in-hand with the United Nations mission of ending violence against women through action[footnoteRef:37], signaling a positive attempt by the Singapore government to take matters concerning human rights and the dignity of women seriously. At home, this move will help to raise the general level of awareness among Singaporeans to further curb passivity towards reporting domestic violence of their neighbors and friends. [37: United Nations. International Womens Day 2013. Last Accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/]

Reconnecting relevant agencies under the MSFMany of these couples in such marriages are not exposed nor informed about the importance and the availability of marriage courses provided by agencies such as the Marriage Central and other Family Service Centers (FSCs) even though they are the target group that often require such services. We recommend a mandatory free marriage preparation program scheme for all couples who wish to solemnize their wedding in Singapore as long as one of their partners is a foreigner. This would also apply to foreign marital solemnization when the couple returns to Singapore. This course should focus on an integrative approach in helping the couples to understand their roles in this marriage as two proper individuals in the cultural context of Singapore. The Social Development Network (SDN) must also play an integral role in extending its focus to the nature of the courtship phenomenon within such marriages. As an agency that promotes marriages in Singapore,[footnoteRef:38] the SDN must work alongside with matchmaking agencies to ensure that these marriages are properly introduced with the information of the bride and groom readily and accurately accessible for both parties. Both parties should also sign an undertaking with the matchmaking agencies held legally liable as a proper intermediary in regards to disclosure of personal information such as personal health, financial status, criminal record and other personal obligations. Also, the SDN should carry out a mandatory information session for newly arrived foreign women on the Women Charter as well as their rights and how they can access legal aid. The SDN is also capable of building up new social support networks by bringing together couples in these similar circumstances to share their experiences through the list of activities available. The purpose is to naturalize the process of these arranged marriages to reflect courtship habits similar to the mainstream standards so that these couples do not feel excluded from society. [38: Social Development Network. http://app.sdn.sg/AboutSDN.aspx]

The FSCs available also play a significant role in providing social assistance and refuge. We recommend that major FSCs or FSCs that has experience dealing with such cases in their vicinity to be equipped with a translator or social worker capable of conversing in Thai, Vietnamese and Burmese language. This lifts the language barriers that often discouraged the foreign brides to seek redress. Additionally, FSCs can work closely with grass-root organizations and activities such as the Meet-The-People session volunteers to collate and identify households that have requested appeals for social visit passes. From there, they can work with VWOs to conduct personal visits as well as provide a listening ear and advice to these families. These visits help to curb opportunities of domestic violence from occurring or managing them before it is too late. FSCs could also work with community centers to provide English language and basic skill courses for the foreign women to better equip them with the skills needed for communication in Singapore. Increased regulation for foreign bride matchmaking agencies.Corporate governance in agenciesWe recommend the MSF to bring forward the issue of the lack in corporate governance in these agencies to other relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in relations to the monitoring the movement of foreign brides. We advise to disallow matchmaking agencies to bring in awaiting foreign brides under any circumstances unless a reliable prospect is willing to undertake a meeting. With the increasing availability of computers and the internet use in emigrating countries, we propose that agencies can first set up an online meeting between the two individuals before applying for the womans trip into Singapore. The woman should also have access to the mans profile before consenting to come to Singapore. Agencies should also declare the backgrounds of the foreign women which they are arranging the marriage from and undertake legal liabilities for their declaration. This will motivate agencies to be more stringent in their selection process of both males and female candidates.Legal persecution associating with traffickingMatchmaking agencies that flout the law regarding matters of foreign matchmaking should be handled as a trafficking offence. This will serve as a stern reminder of the serious stance the Singapore government takes in breaking down trafficking syndicates in the region and send strong signals against potential malpractices.[footnoteRef:39] Also, the MSF should support foreign bride matchmaking agencies to adopt the best practices in accordance with prominent agencies in the region so that a proper legal framework can be achieved where agencies are committed to ensuring honesty and due diligence in matching individuals. [39: Ministry of Manpower. National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons: 2012-2015. http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/tip/tipbooklet_080812.pdf]

Policy Review: Healthcare, employment and residenceHealthcareWe recommend a policy to include foreign women that are not under the LTVP+ (long term visit pass-plus) to be eligible for healthcare services and subsidies similar to LTVP+ holders if the following clauses are met: (1) if the woman is receiving medical treatment associating with fertility related issues, (2) if the woman has suffered physical or mental injuries during her residence in Singapore and, (3) if the woman has declared a pre-existing condition that requires medical attention during her residence in Singapore. Additionally, the women should be given autonomy to decide her access to healthcare as her own sponsor instead of her spouse. Financial assistance schemes and support should be made available for the foreign women so that they are not fully reliant on their spouses and that it helps these families to alleviate costs.EmploymentWe recommend the MSF to advocate for an employment scheme catered towards allowing these foreign women to seek work with benefits accorded to an employee. For those who choose to be homemakers, we recommend periodic visits by social workers to ensure that these women are well adjusted into their roles. By allowing these women to work, it will help to provide greater economic opportunities for the families and alleviate some financial burden from their spouses.ResidenceWe recommend the MSF to explore arrangements such as other than the spouse, VWOs can act as a sponsor for the application of the long term visit passes. In applying for PR status, VWOs could work with spouses as co-sponsors to increase the chances of success and prevent abusive spouses from manipulating their wives by withholding PR status. We also recommend the application process of the LTVP+ to be more transparent and collaborate with VWOs to hasten the application process. This is to provide greater protection for these women who do not need to live in fear under their spouses.ConclusionSingapore is increasingly becoming a major player in the foreign bride market and international marriages are set to increase ahead.[footnoteRef:40] Despite the growing trends, the chronic lack of support, research and advocacy towards protecting the rights of foreign brides remain alarmingly problematic. Many of these women often bear untold suffering in the comforts of their own homes by the spouses that were supposed to be their only chance at a better life. The acts of slavery, commoditization of marriage and family and the cries of sexual exploitations must stop now. As advocates in AWARE Singapore condemn these practices, we believe the MSF has both a moral and a legal duty in protecting these women from inhumane standards of living. Only by condemning such acts through the nation-level initiatives recommended will Singapore redeem itself as a nation that preserves and respect the basic rights and liberty of women in Singapore regardless of nationality. [40: Patricia Gauthier & Adelyn Lim. Beyond Happily Ever After: Making A Match Between Singapore Grooms and Foreign Brides. AWARE Position Paper, November 2006. Accessed on 20th March 2013.]

Bibliography

AWARE Singapore. Article 4: Special Measures. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/ARTICLES-4.pdf

AWARE Singapore. General Recommendation 19: Violence against women. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Pp 1-16. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/ips/docs/events/CDD_CEDAW%20Report_050312/CEDAW%20Shadow%20Report%20GR19%20AWARE_2011.pdf

AWARE Singapore. Article 6: Trafficking and Exploitation of Women. AWARE CEDAW Shadow Report 2011. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/ARTICLES-6.pdf

Association of Dating Agencies and Matchmakers (ADAMS). http://www.adams.org.sg/

Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM). Psychological Profile and Perspectives of Foreign Brides. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/psychosocial_profile_0807.pdf

Channel NewsAsia. 13 November 2005. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://unwomen-nc.org.sg/resources/2005/13Nov2005_AWARE%20believes%20some%20foreign%20brides%20mum%20on%20spousal%20abuse.pdf

Chan, Crystal. Were bride brokers, not human traffickers. The New Paper, December 28, 2009. Last Accessed on 17th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/6731

Chan, Crystal. Sham marriage ring exposed The New Paper, June 14, 2010. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20100614-222065.html

Gauthier, Patricia & Lim, Adelyn. Beyond Happily Ever After: Making A Match Between Singapore Grooms and Foreign Brides. AWARE Position Paper, November 2006. Accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-Happily-Ever-After.pdf

Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Singapore. http://www.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12665

Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Singapore. http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=175&secid=171

Jiang, Genevieve. More foreign brides suffering in silence. The New Paper, March 13, 2009. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/2656

Kibiria, Nazli. Power, Patriarchy, and Gender Conflict in the Vietnamese Immigrant Community. Gender and Society, vol. 4, No. 1, March 1990. Pp 9-24. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.udel.edu/anthro/psw/kibria.pdf

Kandiyoti, Deniz. Bargaining with Patriarchy. Gender and Society, Vol. 2, No. 3, September 1988. Pp 274-290. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.smi.uib.no/seminars/Pensum/kandiyoti,%20Deniz.pdf

Mathi, Braema, & Mohamed, Sharifah. Unmet Social Needs in Singapore. Lien Centre for Social Innovation Social Insight Series. October 2011. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg/downloads/Unmet_Social_Needs_in_Singapore.pdf

Ministry of Social and Family Development: Media Queries. http://app.msf.gov.sg/PressRoom/Marriagemediaqueries.aspx

Ministry of Manpower. National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons: 2012-2015. http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/tip/tipbooklet_080812.pdf

National Population Secretariat. Marriages between Singapore citizen and non-Singapore citizens, 1998-2008. Last accessed at 20th March 2013. https://www.nptd.gov.sg/content/NPTD/news/_jcr_content/par_content/download_4/file.res/Marriages%20between%20citizens%20and%20non-citizens,%201998-2008.pdf

Phua, Amanda. Brides are not commodities The New Paper, February 24, 2012. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://acmi.sg/Files/Documents/TNP%20Article%2024022012.pdf

Straits Times Singapore. February 12, 2013. http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/dilemma-foreign-bride-no-long-term-pass-20130212

Social Development Network. http://app.sdn.sg/AboutSDN.aspx

Thomson, April. Love For Sale: The mail order bride industry. Asian Geographic No.6, 2007. Pp 68-77. Last accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.aprilwrites.com/articles/community/LoveforSale.pdf

Tan, Theresa. More Singapore men marrying foreign Asian brides. The Straits Times, 02 October 2013. Last accessed on 19th March 2013. http://www.divaasia.com/article/18558

United Nations General Assembly. Women Anti-Discrimination Committee Commends Singapore on Progress, but presses it to withdraw reservations to convention, strengthen domestic legal framework. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/wom1647.doc.htm

United Nations. International Womens Day 2013. Last Accessed on 20th March 2013. http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/

Youtube Vietnamese Mail-Order Bride #2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FScBxMqC9cI#!