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Communications Letters to Press AWARE Campaigns for Both Men and Women
| AWARE Campaigns for Both Men and Women |
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Letter was published in the Straits Times Forum Page on the 17th of July 2006.
I refer to Wong Hoong Hooi’s letter (ST, July 12). Mr Wong’s letter contains several inaccuracies which we would like to clarify. AWARE has never demanded that anybody be gender blind. We have been campaigning for gender awareness and equity, which is also a focus area for the United Nations. It is a truism to say that men and women are different. Gender awareness and equity celebrates the differences while treating both sexes more fairly. AWARE has since the mid 90s called for legislative changes so that both husband and wife have a mutual duty to financially support each other. In 1996, past AWARE President and former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Dr Kanwaljit Soin made a strong case in Parliament for such an amendment to the Women’s Charter. However, this was forcefully rejected by the male Minister of Community Development and some male Members of Parliament. AWARE has also advocated a broadening of National Service to include community service and for men and women to choose the area in which they wish to serve. Past AWARE President and former NMP Braema Mathi gave a speech in Parliament in 2004 on this point but to no avail. An ongoing AWARE project is the annual White Ribbon Campaign, which includes a workshop for teens to dispel the myths of gender stereotypes, such as the role of men as breadwinners. The objectives of this programme is to encourage youths to break through the chains of stereotyped expectations and to be truly themselves. The issue of discrimination against pregnant employees, as with all forms of discrimination at work, does not just affect the person involved. It also impacts on the health of the entire family, including the husband. It is obviously an issue that needs to be addressed, and our raising this does not mean that we do not recognize other forms of discrimination and injustice. AWARE welcomes men, and women, like Mr Wong, who obviously is passionate about addressing gender inequalities, to join us in our work to promote a society that provides optimal opportunities for women, and men, to realise their highest potential.
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