Access all areas for women at Singapore CC

Women have been allowed into the Singapore Cricket Club Men's Bar and Billiards room on a permanent basis for the first time. The room at the 155-year-old club was the final all-male enclave.

But now, the Straits Times reports, by-laws have changed to allow women access to the room they were previously only allowed in once a year, on New Year's Eve. However, the rule change may be motivated more by concerns for the bottom line than an equality issue. Of late, drinkers at the club have been favouring a unisex sports bar named Stumps.

One female member, and former committee representative, Margaret Cunico told the paper: "If there's a lack of demand, it makes sense to lift the restriction. To leave it there for symbolic sake is to undervalue what it's best for. I think there will be some women who go there."

But some men are still not so welcoming, as the paper reported: "When three women tried to enter while the Straits Times was visiting the bar last night, one merry-making male member ran them out the door the moment they walked in."