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Year: 2015

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Open letter to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister

inclusive communityThis open letter from AWARE’s Executive Director, Corinna Lim, was sent to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on the morning of 23 September 2015.

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Dear Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,

I write as the Executive Director of AWARE, to offer my congratulations on your recent impressive success at the ballot box. It was a very intense and hard-fought election, and I am sure you must be heartened by the PAP’s strong results.

As you proceed with Cabinet appointments, I urge you to be mindful of gender equality in the selection of Ministers. With an electoral slate that was 22% women – all of whom won – you have numerous competent female candidates for leadership roles.

I hope that you will form a Cabinet where at least 22% of the full Ministers are women, and that those women are given their own portfolios, where their individual contributions can be more easily distinguished. 22% is a very modest and achievable figure, given that the citizen population of Singapore at large is 50% women.

This is not a question of mere form. The gender composition of our political leadership profoundly affects its ability to truly represent the people of Singapore and their interests. Gender has a deep impact on our lives – for instance, women face far more pressure to provide unpaid care for their families, with significant implications for their social and economic positions.

While men can and should advocate for women, a disproportionately male-dominated Cabinet is badly placed to consistently and meaningfully integrate women’s experiences into its policy deliberations.

Increasing the proportion of women in Cabinet will also help Singapore to better meet its international obligations under the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Moreover, it sets the tone for women’s advancement in other arenas. Ms Grace Fu has urged businesses to increase women’s representation on corporate boards – with women currently making up only 8% of boards of SGX-listed companies. If the government takes the lead by appointing more women as Ministers, this will do much to normalise the idea of women in leadership, with positive effects on the rest of society.

Lately there has been much discussion of succession and renewal. It is widely reported that a number of new MPs will be appointed to the Cabinet, to give relatively junior figures the time and experience needed to develop into confident leaders. We applaud this far-sighted approach toward mentoring the leaders of future, and we hope that you will not exclude women from this process and these opportunities.

Thank you for your time and your kind attention, and my congratulations once more.

Yours sincerely

Corinna Lim

Vote for your favourite sexists for the Alamak! Award 2015

award1The popular AWARE Alamak! Awards are back!

Every year, the AWARE Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have promoted gender equality in Singapore. At the same time, the Alamak! Award is given out to the most jaw-dropping instance of sexism, as decided by you!

The recipients of both Awards will be revealed at our Big Birthday Ball on 7 November.

This year, you have a choice between four candidates. Take a look at their work and cast your votes below. You can cast two votes.

All the anti-mother sexist attacks of GE2015

Notoriously, Cheo Chai Chen called rival Tin Pei Ling’s new mother status a “weakness”, but he wasn’t alone.  Mothership’s Belmont Lay gasped that Kevryn Lim was a single mother (imagine, they exist) and derided photographs from her modelling work as “unmotherly”.   Lim Boon Heng slapped working mothers in the face by suggesting that leaving the house to stand for elections “puts mother-child relationships at risk”.  And TODAY’s newspaper headlines introduced three new male candidates by profession – while labelling entrepreneur Jaslyn Go “mother-of-two”.

 

SlimFit’s SG50 ‘bust enhancement’ ad

#simisaialsoSG50, with an incoherent sexist twist. Seems like the best way to celebrate and honour the hard labour of Samsui women is to… go for ‘bust enhancement’. After all, aren’t breast shape and size the crowning achievement for every woman? NewNation skewered this well.

 

 

Ogilvy & Mather’s ‘Mums and Maids’ advertisement

Fathers?  What are those?  It’s all your fault, working mothers, that domestic workers have inadequate labour rights – nothing to do with exclusion from the Employment Act or a sexist culture that devalues childcare because it’s ‘women’s work’.  A sexist culture that, it so happens, this video reinforces.  O&M were advised about this from the early stages of the project, so they had the opportunity to change their approach, but they refused.  No wonder the ad was roundly criticised by many, including advocates for migrant workers.

 

Jack Ripper burger stall

11334146_760338397420600_178081118151025533_oA man targets women for gruesome, sadistic murders. Apparently this is hilarious? Or ~*~cOoL & eDgY~*~? Who knows – but this kopitiam burger stall thinks it’s somehow attractive to name its food products after victims of misogynist violence. ALAMAK!

 

 

 

Cast your votes (you have two votes!):

[poll id=”8″]

Voting is open from now till 1 November 2015. Do share this post with your family and friends so they too can vote for their favourite sexists!

The winner will be revealed at our fundraising gala, the Big Birthday Ball on 7 November. Don’t forget to watch this space, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook to find out who won!

If you’d like to support us as we strive for gender equality, do consider contributing to our gala as a donor or a volunteer!

You can also check out last year’s winners for both the AWARE and Alamak! Awards here.

Candlelight vigil in memory of Amanat

BBB VOLUNTEER CALLOUTWe’ll be having our annual fundraising gala on Saturday 7 November at the Shangri-la Hotel, and we need you to help us make it a success!

The funds raised from our yearly galas are used to finance our support services to assist women in crisis, as well as our research and advocacy efforts for beneficial policy changes.

So if you’re someone who loves to dress up, enjoys interacting with people, and wants the excitement of delivering a memorable event, we need you! Three positions are required:

  • Table Host: Ensure the needs of guests are met
  • Auction Runner: Link between Table Hosts & Auction Manager
  • Lucky Dip Manager: Selling of lucky dip tickets

Volunteers will be required to attend a briefing session at the AWARE Centre. We have two dates for you to choose from: Monday 26 October or Thursday 29 October at 7pm – 8.30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Click here to sign up and be an important part of our 30th Anniversary celebration!

If you have any enquiries feel free to contact Jennifer at volunteering@aware.org.sg.

Dialogue Session: Sons and Daughters

HeaderJoin Yes, All Men and Gender Equality IS Our Culture (GEC) in talking about the different ways sons and daughters are treated in the family. How do religious and cultural ideas about men and women shape your role in your family? What hopes do your parents have of you as a son or a daughter?

It can be difficult to balance our dreams with the expectations of our elders. How can we respond when we disagree with what they want from us as sons or daughters? How do we keep the peace, yet move away from traditional ideas of what a son must achieve or how a daughter must behave?

Share your thoughts and stories in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space. Explore practical strategies for responding to these conflicts in the home.

Details

Date: 26 September 2015 (Saturday)
Time: 7pm-9pm
Venue: AWARE Centre, 5 Dover Crescent, #01-22, Singapore 130005

This session is open to anyone aged 18-25 years old.

Register here.

YAM LOGO
GEC logo final
 

Dialogue Session: Sons and Daughters

HeaderJoin Yes, All Men and Gender Equality IS Our Culture (GEC) in talking about the different ways sons and daughters are treated in the family. How do religious and cultural ideas about men and women shape your role in your family? What hopes do your parents have of you as a son or a daughter?

It can be difficult to balance our dreams with the expectations of our elders. How can we respond when we disagree with what they want from us as sons or daughters? How do we keep the peace, yet move away from traditional ideas of what a son must achieve or how a daughter must behave?

Share your thoughts and stories in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space. Explore practical strategies for responding to these conflicts in the home.

Details

Date: 26 September 2015 (Saturday)
Time: 7pm-9pm
Venue: AWARE Centre, 5 Dover Crescent, #01-22, Singapore 130005

This session is open to anyone aged 18-25 years old.

Register here.

YAM LOGO
GEC logo final

Women have much to contribute in politics

Women's political representation GE2015_smallBy Jolene Tan, Programmes and Communications Senior Manager

Disappointingly, in this election, women form less than 30 per cent of the slate of each political party, despite Singapore’s obligation to improve women’s representation under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination.

Two parties have no female candidates at all.

Gender affects everyone’s experiences of society. It deeply impacts the societal pressures an individual faces and what kind of support they may receive from others.

For example, women face much more pressure than men to provide unpaid care and domestic labour to their families, and women are also much more likely to face sexual harassment or violence.

Men can and should advocate women’s rights. But a disproportionately male Parliament is badly placed to consistently integrate women’s experiences into its policy deliberations.

For instance, how MPs see caregiving affects their view of employment relationships. Do they see caregiver support as fundamental to workers’ rights or as an exceptional accommodation?

The stereotype that women don’t belong in political life because of childcare ignores alternative modes of care, notably male caregiving.

It also overlooks the possibility that a candidate can be desirable precisely because they bring a caregiver’s perspective to the table.

Dismissing female candidates because of their caregiving role sets up a vicious circle. If we elect fewer women, caregiving will be given less support by the state. This, in turn, makes it harder for women to participate in public life.

It is not uncommon to see male candidates’ professional qualifications highlighted, but when it comes to women candidates, it is their reproductive status that gets highlighted.

Female candidates have also been discussed in sexist and belittling terms, with more attention being given to their clothing and appearance than to their ideas and opinions.

Far from being harmless, this kind of gender prejudice sets up additional hurdles for women who might otherwise aspire to politics – potentially depriving society of their talents.

We can all help to eliminate these unnecessary barriers to political participation, by being more mindful about gender equality in our political conversations.

This letter first appeared in The Straits Times Forum on 9 September 2015.

Training Workshop: Peer support and counselling

handsA friend tells you about their relationship woes. Your mind races with questions. Are they being abused? Should you say something? You wonder what to do. You worry about being intrusive. You’re not sure that what you say can really help at all.

Sounds familiar?

Come to this training session by experienced peer support trainer Jolanda Nava and learn how to create safe, non-judgmental spaces for your friends to share their feelings, work through any self-blame or shame, explore the choices available to them and make decisions about their situations.

This workshop will give you the tools to be an effective listener and empower you to support the people you care about. You will get the chance to:

  1. Learn the skill and importance of “active listening”
  2. Know what not to say
  3. Understand the difference between giving advice and providing options
  4. Practice constructive ways of responding in different scenarios, including sexual harassment, abusive relationships and bullying.

Why is this important?

Too many people feel they can’t speak up – or act against – abuse, assault and harassment in their lives. Violations against them happen in private spaces, behind closed doors, where police cars don’t patrol and the state shies away from interfering. It seems like nothing can be done.

But we – as family, friends, colleagues, classmates or neighbours – can change this, by creating an environment of support for those around us who are violated. We have the potential to be a great resource to someone in crisis.

Details

Date: 10 October 2015 (Saturday)
Time: 1pm-4pm
Venue: AWARE Centre, 5 Dover Crescent, #01-22, Singapore 130005

Register here.

About the trainer:
Jolanda is a We Can! Change Maker who has been training and serving as a peer supporter since 2012. She started a peer counselling group in her university (Yale-NUS) and the group now comprises 15 trained students and offers a drop-in service every weeknight. Jolanda also has extensive experience facilitating conversations in big and small groups.

Register now for this free training and take a further step towards creating safe, supportive communities. Slots are limited!

*Note: Peer counselling is NOT a substitute for professional counselling. We believe it is important for individuals to receive support from their communities as well as have access to the professional services they require.

AWARE Update: August 2015

 
Check out the latest news and happenings at AWARE
August 2015
Any questions, comments or suggestions?

Send an email to aware@aware.org.sg
HELPLINE
1800-777-5555
(Mon – Fri: 3pm – 9:30pm)
AWARE Centre

Blk 5 Dover Crescent
#01-22
Singapore 130005

Tel +65) 6779 7137
Fax (+65) 6777 0318

www.aware.org.sg

AWARE is back in Dover!
The AWARE Centre at Dover Crescent has been given a fresh new look! Check it out! All our services are now available, including the acceptance of drop-in clients.

Big Birthday Ball 2015
Join us as we strive towards gender equality! We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary at Shangri-La hotel, 7 November 2015. It will be a spectacular night hosted by Ivan Heng and Oon Shu An. More details are in our microsite.

NEWS & VIEWS

Election fever hits AWARE
Find out how political parties can earn our vote, see how parties have failed in promoting female representation, and read our letter showing how the representation of women in politics is important.

Gender equality in the public eye
Read our media letter describing how doctors’ judgemental attitudes can affect healthcare. Don’t miss our commentary calling for society to acknowledge the reality of racism.

RALLY: for art, music and conversations for change
On 6 December, RALLY: We Can! Arts Fest will be held at the Singapore Art Museum! Expect music, performances and interactive panels for a day celebrating community and collaboration. Check out this link for updates.

WHAT’S ON

Training Workshop: Peer support and counselling
Come to this training session by experienced peer support trainer Jolanda Nava and learn how to create safe, non-judgmental spaces for your friends to share their feelings. Click here more information and to sign up.

We Can! Change Maker workshop
Be a part of the We Can! campaign to fight gender-based violence by coming for the workshop and becoming a Change Maker on 24 September. Sign up now!

 

Judgmental attitudes towards sex can affect healthcare

doctorsBy Jolene Tan, Programmes and Communications Senior Manager

We share Dr John Hui Keem Peng’s sentiments that doctors should show respect and empathy towards patients and others (“Provide positive work culture for young doctors”; Tuesday).

The ethical code for doctors sets out important standards, including that doctors should provide “compassionate” care and “shall not allow personal beliefs… to influence (their)management of patients”.

Many doctors in Singapore strive to embody these values. However, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) is concerned that some patients encounter doctors who display judgmental attitudes that affect access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.

One unmarried woman reported multiple negative experiences with doctors when seeking reproductive healthcare. One doctor lectured her on abstinence from sexual activity.

Another doctor, after being asked for emergency contraception, avoided eye contact with the patient for the rest of the session, and answered her questions in a contemptuous tone.

Another patient who needed emergency contraception also reported difficulty. Her doctor suggested that a married woman had no reason to avoid becoming pregnant, and required her to describe her finances and living situation in detail, in order to justify her request for the medication.

This effectively disrespected the patient’s stated wishes, based on the doctor’s own views about marital status and reproduction.

Yet another patient saw a doctor who concluded, initially, that the patient required a vaginal swab test for diagnosis. However, on learning that the patient had not had sex before, she refused to perform the test, although the patient made it clear that she preferred to have the test done to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

In essence, the doctor placed personal beliefs about the patient’s “virginity” above the need for treatment. These beliefs were not shared by the patient.

Doctors may have strong views about sexuality, but their duty to their patients must come first. Patients need to feel safe disclosing private, even socially controversial, aspects of their lives. They should not have to run the gauntlet of a doctor’s disapproval to receive treatment.

Hopefully, these cases do not reflect the majority of healthcare experiences. But given the especial sensitivity of sexual and reproductive healthcare, those involved in training and educating doctors may wish to pay particular attention to the question of respect, empathy and non-discrimination in this context.

This letter was first published in The Straits Times Forum on 20 August 2015.