31 March 2010 – Some of Singapore’s most talented women will take to the stage in June for a one-night only concert to celebrate women and to mark 25 years of groundbreaking achievements by AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research).

Superwomen in Concert

Superwomen in Concert, to be held at the Esplanade, will feature accomplished women from Singapore’s music, television, theatre and sports circles in a tribute to the ability, imagination and tenacity of women in Singapore who have pursued a life and voice of their own.

Among the performers will be legendary singer Rahimah Rahim and the hilarious Dim Sum Dollies in their only scheduled appearance for the year. (See annex A for full list of performers.)

Conceptualised, produced and directed by the Dim Sum Dollies’ Pam Oei, the concert will be hosted by actor-directors Tan Kheng Hua and Beatrice Chia.

Explaining why she took on the challenge of shaping the event, Pam Oei said:
“I was one of those apathetic members of the public who thought that AWARE was doing a great job and I just left them to it. It took last year’s events with the takeover to make me realise that this is an organisation that I needed to be part of; that I had to stake a claim for all women in Singapore, regardless of race, sexual orientation, language and religion. When Dana approached me to produce this concert, I jumped at the chance to give back to AWARE, to contribute to what they have given women in Singapore for 25 years.”

Selena Tan added: “I’m happy to finally be able to do something with AWARE. So much of who we are now and who we can be as women we sometimes take for granted. If not for organisations like AWARE and for women before us who paved the way for us, who fought so that we can have our equality so easily, life might not be what we enjoy today.”

All the women that Pam approached readily agreed to take part in the concert. Singer Ann Hussein said “a worthy cause is always a good excuse to perform”, and added “plus, I cannot miss the opportunity to be on the same stage and perform with some of the most talented and hottest women in the business!”

Actor-director Tan Kheng Hua, who apart from co-hosting the event will be performing with her daughter, said: “I am a part of this concert because I want to celebrate everything I love
about being a woman, and being with women!”

Dana Lam, AWARE President, said:  “AWARE believes every woman has unique gifts and a distinct calling. This is reflected in the line-up of performers, each an individual in her own right, with a body of work that has been, and continues to be, inspiring and inspired”.

The money raised from this concert will help fund AWARE’s activities which  a Crisis Hotline for women, Legal Clinic, Counseling Services, research projects and training programmes.

Corinna Lim, recently appointed as AWARE’s first Executive Director, said that while fund raising was one aim of the concert, an equally important goal is “to raise awareness of AWARE’s mission, which is to  identify and remove the barriers faced by women in Singapore and to inform and empower women so they can lead the lives they want”.

Concert tickets priced at $150, $120, $100, $80, $50 and $20 will go on sale in early April at SISTIC.

Special VIP seat packages that come with an invitation to a Meet The Stars party are available. For details, call The AWARE Centre at 6779 7137 or email superwomen@aware.org.sg.

Corporate sponsors who have already signed up for the event include:

• KAH Motors
• KOP Group
• Montigo Resorts
• Kim Eng Securities
• Bengawan Solo
• Club 21
• Kim Eng Group
• 36 / 38 Armenian
• Underwater Technologies
• Crumpler
• Booze Wine Shop

For more information, please contact:

Meera Jane Navaratnam

Tel: 9663 3853

Email: mjnava@gmail.com

Superwomen in Concert

8 June 2010

Esplanade Concert Hall

7.30pm

Full list of performers

Dim Sum Dollies (Selena Tan, Emma Yong and Pam Oei)

Rahimah Rahim

Ann Hussein

Rani Singam

Wendi Koh

Pat Chan

Grace Young

Belinda Foo

Michaela Therese

Constance Singam

Karen Lim and daughter Natasha

Tan Kheng Hua and daughter Shi-An

Petrina Kow and daughter Victoria

Kuo Po

Julia Abueva

Lauren Koh

Nadya Liyi Tan

Nathania Ong

Eirene Enriquez

Beatrice Chia-Richmond

Methodist Girls’ School String Ensemble

More information on performers, corporate sponsors & the one night only Superwomen in Concert may be found at http://www.aware.org.sg/superwomen/

About AWARE

AWARE

AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the lives and status of women through education, advocacy, research and social services. As Singapore’s leading women’s rights group, AWARE wants to see an end to gender discrimination. It helps to achieve this by identifying and finding ways to eliminate the societal and other barriers which keep women from realizing their potential in life. AWARE’s overall aim is to help build a society where there is true gender equality – where women and men are valued as individuals free to make informed and responsible choices about their lives.

For more information: http://www.AWARE.org.sg

MEDIA RELEASE

AWARE and ipac to help women better plan for their financial needs

Singapore, 17 September 2009 – Three out of four women in Singapore feel they do not know enough about financial products and services to make good investment decisions.

This was one of the key findings of an online survey conducted in July-August by AWARE and financial advisory services group ipac financial planning Singapore. Some 400 women took part in the survey.

Generally, the women appeared to be in good financial health:
• 80% reported that they had no money difficulties in the past year
• 87% paid their credit card bills in full each month
• 79% had their own life and health insurance policies

However, only about 10 per cent said they were looking at planning for their retirement.

Of the women who are married or in long term relationships, more than two-thirds said the household financial decisions were decided jointly. One third was not familiar with the location and content of their partner’s insurance policies and bank accounts, and two thirds had no idea about their partner’s will.

The survey was conducted by AWARE, Singapore’s leading women’s rights group, and ipac financial planning Singapore in preparation for a couple of initiatives aimed at empowering women through enhanced financial awareness and literacy.

Firstly, the two organisations will work together to present financial empowerment seminars for all women who wish to improve their current financial situation and plan for their future.

Corinna Lim, a member of AWARE’s Executive Committee and head of the AWARE Training Institute, said: “Women are more vulnerable to financial risks as both single and married women tend to be the main caregivers of their families. Many married women take the ‘mommy track’ which affects their earning capacity, retirement funds (CPF) and savings. Yet, they generally outlive their spouses by 10 years or more and have poorer health in old age. Our Helpline receives many calls indicating that women seldom plan for contingencies like the sudden death of their spouse or divorce. When these things happen, they may not even know where to begin to assess what assets the family has and what they can do.”

Gary Harvey, CEO ipac wealth management Asia, said, “The survey showed that while the respondents generally had fairly good control of their finances, the number of those that planned for critical long term objectives was unfortunately low. We see this collaboration with AWARE as a platform to empower more women so that they will have the capacity and opportunity to enhance their current smart money management steps to achieve bigger personal goals, like being their own boss or saving for their children’s education.”

 
Financial clinics to be piloted for women from lower income households

Secondly, AWARE and ipac will also pilot financial clinics for women from lower income households. Targeted at helping women with a household income of less than $3,000 per month, the clinics will aim to help them gain a better understanding of their finances and how to achieve their own personal goals or aspirations in spite of being in the lower income bracket.

Corinna Lim said, “We are piloting financial clinics because we see an opportunity to help underprivileged women in financial distress that approach AWARE’s direct services. The clinics’ goal is to assess their financial needs, help them optimise their resources and manage their expenses while planning for the future. This will be an excellent supplement to our counselling services and legal clinics, and we are excited about offering this as an integral part of our services in future.”

about AWARE

AWARE, or the Association of Women for Action and Research, is Singapore’s leading women’s rights advocacy group. Since our formation in 1985, we have carried out research into gender inequality and other issues relevant to women, and advocated for changes in laws, policies and mindsets that discriminate against women.

Along with our research and advocacy work, we provide a range of direct services for women, such as a crisis help line, counselling, and a free legal clinic.

An important aspect of AWARE’s work is public education – talks, seminars, workshops and other training programmes which are carried out by the AWARE Training Institute.

AWARE is a not-for-profit organisation. We are funded by donations, grants, and member subscriptions. We are a registered charity, so all donations to AWARE are tax-deductible.

about ipac financial planning Singapore

ipac financial planning Singapore is an international financial advice and investment group that has been helping clients achieve their financial and lifestyle goals since its formation in Australia in 1983. It manages more than US$8.2 billion (as at December 2008) for individuals and institutions worldwide. Its financial planning process is practiced in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

ipac is a member of the Global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection and wealth management with assets under management of about €981 billion (as at December 2008).

In February 2008, the AXA Group ranked 20th in the FORBES GLOBAL 100 Survey of ‘The World’s Largest Corporations’.

For more information, contact:

AWARE
Mardiana Abunaim
Public Education Manager
tel: +65 6779 7137
email: publiceducation@aware.org.sg
website: www.aware.org.sg

 
ipac financial planning Singapore
Lisa Chong
Media Relations Specialist, ipac financial planning Singapore
tel: +65 6511 7334
email: lisa.chong@ipac.com.sg
website: www.ipac.com.sg

Anthony Rozario
Head, Media Relations, ipac Asia
tel: +65 6511 7335
email: anthony.rozario@ipac.com.sg

Information about financial clinics and public seminars

Financial clinics:

These pilot clinics will be held at the AWARE Centre in Dover Crescent on 9th October 2009, 4th December 2009 and 29th January 2010. As the clinics are meant to help women who are underprivileged or in need, AWARE will ensure the eligibility of candidates prior to the clinics. Those who want to register for these clinics may contact Ms Mardiana Abunaim at publiceducation@aware.org.sg or call 6779 7137.

AWARE-ipac empowerment seminars:

21st October 2009 A man is not a financial plan
25th November 2009 Money, me and you
21st January 2010 Grow your wealth

The seminars are open to the public. Those who would like further information can contact Priyanka of AWARE at publiceducation@aware.org.sg or call 6779 7137.

AWARE Media Release 6 July 2009
 

At the 2 May EGM several members queried Josie Lau and her Exco about the cost of the EGM. Calls were made, both at the EGM and in media forums subsequently, for the money to be recovered from the members of that Exco.

After taking office, the current Exco formed an internal review team to look into the expenses incurred by the previous Exco and determine whether their decisions and actions adhered to the AWARE Constitution and other established practices.

The EGM cost a total of $99,291.28. This was not quite covered by the $98,765.70 in membership fees paid by the 2,748 people who joined AWARE or who renewed their membership between 29 March and 2 May.

The current Exco wrote to all the companies that provided services at the EGM, explained the financial situation and asked them to consider making a donation to AWARE. So far, Rajah & Tann have donated $5,000 and Deloitte & Touche $3,000, while Boardroom has yet to respond. Suntec and Ape Communications declined on the grounds that they had, in total, given AWARE a 26.5% discount on the facilities and services provided.

The review team found that the previous Exco did not adhere fully to the AWARE Constitution and established practices. Also, they could have avoided some of the costs, for instance, by trying to get pro bono legal advice and asking AWARE volunteers to act as scrutineers.

“We will not, however, be taking any action against the previous Exco,” said Ms Lam. “There are several reasons for this. We recognise that they were handicapped by their lack of NGO experience. Secondly, we have been able to recover part of the costs through the generosity of some of the vendors.

“Most importantly, we want to get on with our work – which is to identify and help remove the obstacles that prevent women from realising their full potential. This is, and has always been, AWARE’s agenda.”

AWARE Media Release 6 July 2009

AWARE launches project to publish State of the Nation’s Women report

AWARE, Singapore’s leading women’s rights advocacy group, is launching a two-year project to reach out to a wide range of women in Singapore and gather their views on the issues that most affect them. These views, together with other research findings, will be published in 2011 in a report titled The State of the Nation’s Women.

In its scope, the State of the Nation’s Women (SNW) report will be similar to the CEDAW shadow reports that AWARE produces and submits to the United Nations. CEDAW, or the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, is regarded as an international bill of rights for women. Countries that sign the convention have to submit national reports at least once every four years on the progress they have made to remove all discrimination against women. Shadow reports are submitted by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and are considered alongside the national reports by the UN’s CEDAW Committee.

Like the CEDAW report, the SNW report will examine the state of Singapore’s women in areas such as employment, health, family, leadership, and media. But a key difference is that the voices of Singapore’s women will feature prominently in the SNW report.

“Our CEDAW shadow reports have identified the inequalities that still exist and the many issues that need to be addressed, such as the lack of sexual harassment laws, stereotyping in the media, the need for more day care centres for young parents and for greater financial security for older women,” said Dana Lam, AWARE president.

“What we will now do, in parallel with our CEDAW work, is reach out to women in Singapore and get their views on all these issues. We want to get the women to talk and we will listen carefully. We want to find out what they see as the key challenges in their lives, what they would like to see by way of changed or new policies and laws. The State of the Nation’s Women report will cover largely the same ground as the CEDAW reports but it will be from the perspective of a cross-section of Singapore’s women.”

AWARE will reach these women in a variety of ways, including a forum series called ‘Stand Up and Speak Out’. There will also be talks and small group discussions, and at least one major conference. Joint projects and other forms of collaboration with the media and with other NGOs will be explored.

ON-GOING PROJECTS

• The CEDAW subcommittee will continue to work on AWARE’s 3rd shadow report.
• The AWARE Training Institute (ATI) will be going full steam ahead with the following programmes to educate, enable and empower women to achieve their highest potential in society:
• ATI’s Body Image Workshops will help young girls to reflect on body image, and concepts of attractiveness and beauty, to enable them to deal with body image and self esteem issues.
• Following from AWARE’s major recent report on sexual harassment which showed that more than 50% of respondents had experienced sexual harassment at work, ATI is currently developing workshops to train organisations to deal with sexual harassment and assault. The sexual harassment team comprising HR practitioners, lawyers and social workers target to provide by the end of the year a comprehensive package of services to train and advise companies on policies and practices to prevent and deal with sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
• The financial training programme for women is being enhanced. The aim here is to help women with financial empowerment. Further announcements on this will be made shortly.
• Women in Conversation is an innovative approach to learning. ATI provides safe spaces for women to get together in small groups to learn from each other and to share their personal and common experiences in matters such as sex, dating, marriage, gender discrimination, career development, leadership.
• AWARE will expand its Direct Services, particularly the Helpline which now operates Mondays to Fridays from 3pm to 9.30pm. With AWARE’s increased membership and a greater pool of volunteers to take the calls, the plan is to:
  1. Extend the operating hours
  2. Handle calls in more languages
  3. Train the Helpline volunteers to handle a wider variety of situations. Collaborations with complementary NGOs may be explored.

  AWARE is also looking into the possibility of extending its Counselling Service and the Legal Clinic.

• A recently launched project is a study by the Singles Subcommittee to identify the attitudes and public policies that affect how single women live in Singapore. The study will examine various categories of singles including ageing singles and single care-givers of the elderly or children.

AWARE TURNS 25

AWARE, which was registered on 25 November 1985, will turn 25 in November 2010. To celebrate its 25 years, AWARE will organise a Festival of Women which will showcase the talent and achievements of Singapore women. This Festival will be spread out over 2010 and 2011, with events that range from the literary and artistic to the entertaining and energetic.