» ‘Let Her Shine!’ ShineSpire Conversation 2026 – Address by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development and President, SINDA

Good afternoon, and very happy to join everyone today.

When we started ShineSpire a few years ago, we intended for it to be a platform for women — whether students, working professionals, community leaders or homemakers — for them to connect, to engage in meaningful conversations and importantly, to learn from each other’s experience, all with a view to empower them at whatever stage of their life journey they may be at.

At its heart, ShineSpire is a space for young women to build confidence, broaden their horizons, and find their voice.

Supporting Young Women to Thrive

ShineSpire is part of SINDA’s broader Let Her Shine! programme, which we began in 2022, and the idea was really to go beyond education programmes for young women, and to help them in their personal growth, leadership development and readiness for the future.

This is especially important because we are living in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming — from the geopolitical realities which impact the economy, to disruption caused by technology and innovation, and from concerns about access to jobs and coping with personal and social issues.

Through Let Her Shine!,we want to help young women navigate these challenges with confidence, to help you to see your potential, and hopefully help you to avoid mistakes. But if you do make mistakes — which is inevitable, and it’s a given — the more important thing is how you recover and bounce back from them. We also want you to be knowledgeable about your mental and physical health, so that you can live well. Without good health, you won’t be able to experience and enjoy life to the fullest. Without good mental health, you won’t be able to achieve your fullest potential.

The Let Her Shine! programmes include mentorship, wellness programmes, leadership development, career readiness opportunities and partnerships with the wider community.

We identify areas in which we think young women may need more support or guidance, and one example is the Let Her Shine! Career Clinic Series that we launched earlier this year to help young women make the important transition from school into the workforce.

The programme helps the participants better understand the opportunities available to them and to prepare for the evolving world of work.

Today’s ShineSpire Conversation reinforces and complements that effort by focusing on something equally important which is mindsets, perspectives and the conversations that underpin how young women see themselves and their own potential.

That is why platforms likeShineSpire They are safe spaces for you to ask questions without feeling embarrassed because you know that the ones that are here have been where you are now and can empathise with how you feel. You can explore different viewpoints and learn from the lived experiences of others. It is also a reminder that you are not alone, and that support, guidance and community resources are readily available.

From Conference to Conversation

This shift is intentional. A conference allows us to learn from others. A conversation invites us to take part — to listen, to reflect, to ask and to contribute.

So, this is very much about empowerment and the support structure surrounding it. It is not just about giving young women opportunities, but also about ensuring that they have the confidence, the support, the resources, and the space to step into them.

In many ways, you can see how they overcome the limitations that were reflected in the motion — not just the external restrictions but helping them to overcome the internal pressures that they may have internalised.

At the same time, we must recognise that women empowerment is not a women matter only. All of society, including families, peers, educators, employers, mentors and community groups, have an important role to play in this — when women are empowered, families are strengthened, communities are uplifted, and society as a whole prospers.

Closing

So, today’s conversations are intended to provide you with such opportunities, and I do encourage all participants to listen openly, reflect thoughtfully and contribute confidently.

Continue to ask questions. Continue to challenge limiting beliefs. Continue to support one another and continue to step forward with courage and conviction.

SINDA’s Let Her Shine! programme will continue to create opportunities for young women to learn, to lead and to thrive. We remain committed to helping you realise your aspirations and reach your fullest potential.

My appreciation to all the speakers, the moderators, mentors, partners, volunteers and participants who have contributed to today’s event.

I wish all of you a meaningful, inspiring and enriching afternoon ahead. Thank you very much.