The Women's Charter is a legislative act that was passed in 1961 to protect and advance the rights of women and girls in Singapore. It is a wide-ranking charter that brings together the regulation of the relationship between husband and wife and the relationship between parents and their children, termination of marriages and division of matrimonial assets. Furthermore, it provides protection against family violence and penalty for offences against women and girls.
The Women’s Charter applies to all men and women in Singapore, with the exception of persons married under Muslim law who are excluded from parts of the Women’s Charter concerning divorce, division of matrimonial assets and maintenance.