Singapore's Women's Rights All-Stars Converge for the Launch of AWARE's latest book
 
Monumental book, SMALL STEPS, GIANT LEAPS: A HISTORY OF AWARE AND THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN SINGAPORE was launched on the 17th of March at East Coast Park in conjunction with International Women's Day 2007. The book, published by the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), looks at the history of the women's rights movement in Singapore, both pre- and post-AWARE and was edited by Mandakini Arora.
 
Gracing the historic occasion were nine of AWARE's past presidents: Lena Lim, Kanwaljit Soin, Claire Chiang, Constance Singam,Hedwig Anuar, Zaibun Siraj, Dana Lam, Khoo Heng Keow, Phyllis Chew and Current President Tan Joo Hymn.
 
The launch was the first time that nine past presidents of AWARE gathered together at an event.

Click Here to View Photo Gallery

The book is a history of reform and radical change in the lives of women in Singapore over the past 150-odd years - from missionary efforts to educate girls in the nineteenth century to the struggle against polygamy in the 1950s to campaigns against domestic violence in the 1980s and 1990s. The book includes stories of pioneering women whose achievements in different fields, such as medicine and law have opened new doors for all women.

Says Aware President Tan Joo Hymn: "Many women in Singapore are oblivious to the fights that were waged in the past which got them the choices and opportunities they enjoy today like education and equal medical benefits. I hope that through this book, they can learn about the women pioneers who have bravely paved the way for the next generation of women and men and be as inspired by them as I am."

The launch was held in conjunction with AWARE’s Women’s Outdoor Challenge, a fun-filled women’s sporting event, which saw more than 1000 women running for a good cause at East Coast Parkway. The Book Launch and the Women’s Outdoor Challenge were part of AWARE’s activities to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The book is on sale at all major bookstores.