Jacqueline Loh of Aidha shares why upskilling is important for female migrant workers in Singapore

Women across Singapore are driving meaningful change, leading initiatives that uplift communities and create lasting impact. From breaking the cycle of poverty to advocating for financial literacy, healthcare, and corporate responsibility, these leaders are reshaping lives through their work.

In this four-part series, learn how their organisations empower individuals and how you can support their causes.

Creating upskilling opportunities for female migrant workers

Jacqueline Loh, CEO of Aidha – the only migrant charity focused on financial education – on why career development is crucial for female migrant workers in Singapore.

We live in a very inequitable world that is getting increasingly less equitable. Singapore is home to almost 300,000 migrant domestic workers (MDW), most of whom play a critical role in the households they work in. Many of them care for their employers’ families with great dedication. They have made the difficult decision to leave behind their children and families in the hope of creating a better future.

Yet, many women face financial exclusion and debt, making it difficult to save despite their economic contributions. A 2019 study estimated that migrant domestic workers contributed US$8.2 billion ($11 billion) to Singapore’s economy, accounting for 2.4 per cent of GDP that year – a figure that has only grown since.

Our goal is to change the status quo for MDWs and other low-income women in Singapore. Providing them with financial knowledge helps alleviate their struggles, ultimately benefiting the households they support. Our single-session financial literacy short courses are free, while our long courses are offered at modest fees, significantly below the actual cost.

Employers can support MDWs by encouraging them to join Aidha. Most of our students enrol with their employers’ support, and your encouragement can make a significant difference. With completion rates of nearly 85 per cent across our core modules, you can be assured that our students find the courses valuable and enjoyable.

I also encourage you to consider volunteering as a mentor and leading our life-changing classes. I’ve been a mentor myself, and it’s an incredibly rewarding experience as you get to know your students and see their progress. Aidha provides a full set of curriculum materials and guidance notes, ensuring your time is efficiently spent, and you can see first-hand how much value you add to your students’ experience.

For 2025, we want to further expand our impact by reaching more MDWs and finding additional ways to strengthen their financial capability and long-term financial health. For the first time, we will be offering our Module 1 course in Bahasa Indonesia, and are very excited to reach more Indonesian MDWs, who make up the largest group of MDWs in Singapore.

Photography Athirah Annissa
Art direction Adeline Eng
Coordination Chelsia Tan
Hair Aung Apichai / Artistry, using Kevin.Murphy & Angel Gwee, using Davines
Makeup Benedict Choo, using M.A.C Cosmetics

In honour of International Women’s Day and Singapore’s 60th year, we’re celebrating the extraordinary women who have shaped its story. With Shiseido’s support, we honour the Advocators who are amplifying marginalised voices – and building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate Singapore.

To learn more about the 60 women who have shaped Singapore as we know it today, click here.