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Position Filled: (Senior) Executive, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory

We are no longer accepting applicants for this role.

AWARE’s Advocacy, Research and Communications department is looking for a (Senior) Executive to ensure adequate and timely support to people via AWARE’s Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (WHDA).

Position: Executive or Senior Executive, Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory
Department: Advocacy, Research and Communications
Commitment: Full-time, Monday-Friday
Term: 1-year employment contract
Salary range: SGD$3,370 – 3,750

Job Description

  • Ensure adequate and timely response to people reaching out to WHDA
  • Conduct intake interviews, provide client support and management of cases (case work), including providing and arranging for WCC and SACC services, as well as external referrals (i.e. to TAFEP)
  • Perform regular data management and filing for reporting and analysis
  • Liaise with internal teams on case management procedures, Red System platform usage and changes, updates to referrals processes, training new staff on WHDA’s service
  • Assist in promoting AWARE’s services and mission by organising and publicising events and liaising with external partners and stakeholders
  • Provide support for infographics, illustrations and media queries relating to workplace harassment, workplace sexual harassment and workplace discrimination
  • Draft reports for budget submissions as requested by the fundraising team
  • Provide support on relevant data analysis required by ARC team (i.e. WHDA numbers, statistics, case examples, etc.)

Requirements

  • 2 years of related experience in client-facing or community work
  • Relevant educational qualifications, like social work, counselling, psychology, law, human resources or related field
  • Experience in law or human resources. Understanding of the Employment Act, workers’ rights is advantageous
  • Excellent inter-personal, empathy and communication skills in English (verbal and written)
  • Good analytical skills
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Proficient with computers, Google Drive and MS office, especially Excel and Word
  • Superb time-management and organisational skills
  • Strong project planning: highly creative, adaptable and a self-starter
  • Ability to work independently to manage projects
  • Competency to maintain positive and effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
  • Experience or interest in supporting or empowering individuals
  • Strong belief in gender equality and the values of AWARE

Read our privacy policy here.

Please note that due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you have any questions about this position, please email careers@aware.org.sg.

 

With 191 individuals across seven communities, AWARE co-produces series of policy wishlists spurring policy-makers to reimagine gender equality in Singapore

This post was originally published as a press release on 8 July 2021.

8 July 2021 – To coincide with the government’s landmark 2021 White Paper on improving gender equality, gender-equality group AWARE held in-depth discussions with 191 members of the public about the changes they most want Singapore policy-makers to enact.

This effort, titled “Reimagining Equality”, culminated in a series of policy wishlists launched today by AWARE, touching on everything from sex education to workplace discrimination.

Of different ages, genders, ethnicities, income levels and backgrounds, the 191 participants were solicited via a public application form and attended 29 virtual community discussions held by AWARE between March and May 2021. Each fell into one of the following groups: single parents; migrant spouses; students, parents and teachers who had opinions on sexuality education; individuals who had experienced workplace discrimination, harassment and/or bullying; students at Institutes of Higher Learning who were concerned about campus sexual harassment; and men who were interested in advocating for gender equality. Each discussion was facilitated by an AWARE staff member and a community member.

This made for “an opportunity to collaborate with people of all ages calling for us to do better for our future generations,” said Daryl Yang, who led discussions on sexuality education. “Drawing on participants’ diverse experiences, the discussions allowed us to brainstorm creative and important recommendations, and build consensus across generational and ideological differences on the changes we need to see.” As Mr Yang noted, discussions were frequently “difficult and painful, as participants bravely shared stories of abuse and discrimination”. Yet this “open and rewarding” quality enabled a rich sharing of ideas.

Terence* (not his real name), who took part in a discussion for men, commended Reimagining Equality for “allowing the masses to have a say on topics rarely introduced in public”. Such an endeavour “may indeed change how future generations look at such topics, spearheading an improvement to many facets of Singaporean life”.

“We applaud the government’s ‘Conversations on Women’s Development’ initiative this year,” said AWARE President Margaret Thomas, “and we are glad to complement their work with these additional insights. While many of the points raised during our discussions corroborated the findings of AWARE’s existing research, there were plenty of revelatory moments, the kind that only arise from intimate and in-depth dialogue.”

Here is a summary of the challenges and recommendations brought up by each group:

Single parents in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, their limited housing options (impacted by their finances and their ability to obtain care and control of their children), and needs assessments that underestimate household expenditure. Divorced parents reported having to apply many times over for maintenance to be enforced, whereas unwed parents worried that their “illegitimate” children were not eligible for intestate inheritance. Policy changes suggested by this group included allowing single parents the same housing and grant options as married applicants; establishing a governmental Child Support Agency to manage maintenance payments; abolishing the concept of “illegitimacy” under inheritance law; and making financial aid criteria more inclusive.

Migrant spouses in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, the prospect of separation from their Singaporean children; their inability to co-own homes; and their limited work options (as LTVP/+ holders cannot hold more than one job at any given time, or do app-based work, and those on short-term visit passes cannot work at all). Policy changes suggested by this group included simplifying access to Permanent Residence (e.g. upon the birth of Singaporean child or death of Singaporean spouse), which would help facilitate home ownership; and granting the automatic right to work without Letters of Consent.

Victims of workplace harassment and bullying in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, a general lack of understanding of workplace bullying and options for recourse; the absence of anti-harassment training programmes for employers, employees and interns; TAFEP’s insufficient powers to assist complainants; and the prospect of retaliation from harassers or employers. Policy changes suggested by this group included introducing national legislation on workplace harassment; mandating relevant training for employers and employees; updating TAFEP and TADM websites to clarify the actions they can take in bullying situations; and establishing an external regulatory body to investigate harassment and audit companies’ HR policies and processes.

Victims of workplace discrimination in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, the lack of comprehensive legal protections for employees experiencing discrimination; employees’ lack of awareness of internal reporting processes; and TAFEP’s insufficient enforcement powers and confidentiality measures (leading to fears of retaliation from employers). Policy changes suggested included introducing comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation (and protections for returning mothers); mandating relevant training for employers and employees; and establishing an external regulatory body to investigate discrimination and audit companies’ HR policies and processes.

Students at Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, the lack of standardised protocol for dealing with campus sexual harassment; policies, processes and staff behaviours that were not victim-centric; and the re-traumatising effect of institutions making police reports without victims’ consent. Policy changes suggested by this group included introducing a National Code of Conduct across all IHLs; implementing a clear protocol of support and resources for victims; mandating relevant training for all students and staff at IHLs; and clarifying “reasonable grounds” for exemption from the legal obligation to report cases.

Students, parents and teachers of sexuality education in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, the mainstream curriculum’s default sex-negative approach and inadequate focus on consent and gender-based violence; teachers perpetuating problematic ideas such as victim-blaming; LGBTQ students’ feelings of exclusion during sex ed classes; and overall lack of engagement from students. Policy changes suggested by this group included teaching about consent and gender-based violence; adopting a fact-based instead of scare-mongering approach; and fostering respect for different sexual orientations, gender identities, family structures, etc.

Male advocates for gender equality in Singapore were concerned about, among other things, the reproduction of rigid ideas of masculinity during National Service (NS); stereotypes and stigma produced by media portrayals of gender and diverse sexual orientations; and gendered laws such as those pertaining to paternity leave. Policy changes suggested by this group included reviewing how gender, sex and sexuality issues are taught in schools; mandating Diversity & Inclusion training for NS instructors and other educators to better support people with different gender identities and expressions; codifying the prohibition of negative stereotypes related to gender and sexuality in media; and increasing paternity leave.

“One of the many reasons I participated in AWARE’s community discussions is that I hope my children will grow up in a world where they can be whoever they want to be and love whoever they want to love,” said content writer Janice Leong, who took part in discussions on single parents and sexuality education. “It was very insightful hearing the thoughts of other parents in Singapore—knowledge is power.”

“It was heartening to see male allies stepping up to lend our voice, emphasising that we want to make a better society for all,” said student Didi Amzar, who took part in a discussion on sexual harassment at IHLs. “Notably, the discussion did not occur in a vacuum, as we actively listed possible policy solutions to overcome the challenges within our institutions. I look forward to a society where we can freely live on equal and fair terms.”

“We thank all Reimagining Equality participants for bravely sharing their lived experiences and their far-reaching visions for Singapore’s future,” added AWARE’s Ms Thomas. “These policy wishlists are truly by the community, for the community. We are glad that AWARE could serve as a vessel for these individuals, amplifying their concerns to the national stage.”

AWARE will also submit a comprehensive “omnibus report” of recommendations, based on its own research and advocacy positions, to the government in late July.

Read the policy wishlists by each community:

  1. Single parents
  2. Migrant spouses and transnational couples
  3. Workplace harassment and bullying
  4. Workplace discrimination
  5. Campus sexual harassment at Institutes of Higher Learning
  6. Sexuality education
  7. Male advocates for gender equality

For victims of stalking, a new court may relieve some of the bitter agony

This op-ed was originally published in Channel NewsAsia on 2 July 2021.

Five years ago, in June 2016, a man was jailed for 12 months for stalking and harassing his former lover.

It was a historic case – the first conviction of a stalker under the Protection from Harassment Act, or POHA.

Until POHA came into force in November 2014, there was almost nothing people who were being stalked could do about it. Unless there was physical violence, the police could do little beyond issuing a warning.

Stalking and other forms of harassment were simply not criminal offences. To try to get a harasser to stop, you had to file a civil suit to get an injunction.

FOUR YEARS OF HARASSMENT

The closest there was to a law under which stalkers could be taken to task was the Miscellaneous Offences Act. In 2011, a woman was convicted under this law for having harassed former journalist Joanne Lee for four years.

Over those four years, Joanne’s mental health deteriorated to the point where she dared not answer her office phone. She was in a constant state of anxiety, suffered panic attacks and became withdrawn.

Joanne had to file three police reports and produce hundreds of letters and emails, hours of voice messages, and countless gifts she had received from the woman, before the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) decided there was enough evidence to prosecute.

The stalker, who was found to have schizophrenia, pleaded guilty and was fined S$4,000.

If POHA had been in existence then, Joanne could have been spared some of the distress she suffered.

She could have applied for a protection order against her stalker. If the stalker persisted with harassment, the police could have stepped in and the AGC could have prosecuted her. And if found guilty, the stalker could have faced not just a fine but also a jail sentence.

POHA criminalised harassment, stalking and other anti-social behaviour, in recognition of the many ways in which such behaviour manifests, and the seriousness of its impact.

And starting this month, a specialised Protection from Harassment Court and streamlined processes, including online filing of claims, will make it easier for victims of stalking and other forms of harassment to get Protection Orders, and for cases to be heard more quickly.

REDRESS FOR VAST NUMBERS OF VICTIMS

POHA was passed too late for Joanne, but it has brought relief and redress for a good number of victims of harassment since it became law.

In May 2019, when the Law Ministry made some amendments to the Act, it was revealed there had been more than 1,700 prosecutions under POHA.

Details of these prosecutions are not known, but undoubtedly some would have been for stalking. Police say they handled an average of about 50 stalking cases a year between 2016 and 2020.

But these are likely to be just a fraction of the actual incidence.

In the UK, it is thought that one in five women and one in 10 men experience stalking during their adult life, according to Paladin, a stalking advocacy service. In the US, the 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey says that one in six women and one in 17 men have experienced stalking in their lifetimes.

To some — especially those who believe physical violence to be more serious than psychological violence — stalking might seem to be relatively mild or harmless behaviour.

This notion is likely exacerbated by irresponsible narrative tropes too often found in popular culture, which laud a prospective lover for his “persistence” even after he is rejected by the object of his affection.

Yet for those who have experienced stalking, which these days includes cyber-stalking, the effect can be devastating and life-changing: Constant anxiety, fear, anger, terror, panic attacks, depression, self-doubt, insecurity, loss of self-esteem. These affect both mental and physical health, which in turn affects their work and social lives.

After all, stalking, like all forms of sexual violence, is ultimately about asserting power and control over another person – in regularly reminding them that their privacy is being eroded and their life is not entirely their own.

With today’s multitudinous points of access into someone’s life – not just at their homes or workplaces, but on their social media and other digital accounts – perpetrators have so many more ways to do just that.

A CASE OF PROLONGED AND VICIOUS STALKING

In the 2016 case of the first stalker to be jailed under POHA, the teenage victim had suicidal thoughts during the three years she was harassed by a former boyfriend.

After their brief sexual relationship, he insisted on accompanying her to school and back. When she tried to avoid him by blocking him on her phone, he posted nude pictures of her on her school’s social media platforms and distributed flyers with these pictures in her neighbourhood.

In sending the stalker to jail, District Judge Lim Keng Yeow said the man’s acts and threats were prolonged and unrelenting, and acute and vicious.

They were, the judge said, “aimed at keeping the victim trapped under his power so as to do his bidding and calculated to cause as much embarrassment and inflict as much humiliation as possible”.

VICTIMS OTHERWISE SUFFER IN SILENCE

Psychologists say there are several types of stalkers, including those driven by lust, the love-scorned (usually an acquaintance), and those who stalk celebrities.

Most commonly, however, stalkers are current or former intimate partners. And, as with other forms of sexual violence, victims of stalking may not seek help because they do not fully understand what is happening to them or realise that it is illegal.

They may not know where they can go for help. They may blame themselves for “having landed themselves in such a situation”, or they may think no one will believe them.

For one woman who called AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre, her anguish was compounded by the fact that her stalker was a man with whom she had had an extramarital affair. Despite the affair ending, her ex-lover stalked and harassed her persistently, repeatedly demanding that she come away with him.

In Singapore, the legal framework is in place, with what constitutes stalking and harassment clearly defined. And it has just been made simpler and easier for people who are being harassed to seek redress.

As Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam recently said, people need to know that they do not have to suffer in silence because there is a system to protect them.

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

What is now needed is outreach and education so people know they have recourse to help (for example, the National Care Hotline) if someone is causing them distress and pain.

But in the longer term, we have to educate our children about such matters. We need comprehensive sexuality education in our schools to prepare young people for the relationships they will have in life, both good and bad.

They need, for instance, to understand the psychology and power dynamics behind stalking behaviours. They need to know why acts such as these are wrong, and what to do if it happens to them – or if they find themselves drawn to such behaviour.

While there are, of course, female stalkers and male victims of stalking, the statistics show that like so many facets of sexual violence, stalking is linked to a gendered power imbalance. So ultimately, as Minister Shanmugam declared in September 2020, we can only hope to reduce the incidence of sexual violence if there is gender equality.

“Every boy and girl must grow up imbibing the value of gender equality,” he said. “They need to be taught from a very early age that boys and girls are to be treated equally, and very importantly, with respect. It has to be a deep mindset change.”

Let’s hope this does not take a generation or two. Much will depend on whether we as a society can come together and commit to this vision of gender equality.

A good start will be made if the Government’s White Paper that is due later this year paints a bold and inspiring picture of what can be, with a clear pathway of the practical steps that will be taken to get us to the goal of a gender-equal Singapore.

Margaret Thomas, President, AWARE

Position Filled: Specialist, Business Operations, Catalyse

We are no longer accepting applicants for this role.

Are you excited by the idea of being part of a team pioneering Asian-centric diverse and inclusive workplaces? Are you passionate about learning & development (L&D) and how it transforms life? Are you excited to join a fast-growing boutique training and consultancy firm that is rapidly expanding in SEA? Do you want to be a part of a fun, caring, professional team that is committed to bringing out the best in you? If this sounds like the perfect place for you, we want to hear from you!

Catalyse is the corporate advisory, consulting and training arm of AWARE, Singapore’s leading gender-equality advocacy group. We partner with organisations to build Respectful, Inclusive, Safe and Empathic (RISE) cultures where people can truly maximise their potential. Our expertise is focused on workplace harassment and bullying, diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias, inclusive leadership and empathetic communication in an Asian context.

Position: Specialist, Business Operations
Commitment: 1-year contract
Work schedule: Full-time, Mon-Fri

Job Description

  • Keeping administrative matters in meticulous order
  • Supporting functional teams on daily operational tasks, including sales, marketing, training, finance, IT, etc.
  • Supporting sales activities including inbound enquiries
  • Ensuring CRM is always updated
  • Interacting effectively with clients on administrative matters
  • Performing Data management and analytics
  • Performing any other reasonable duties assigned to you

Requirements

  • Degree and above
  • Minimum 3 years of related experience
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Professional command of English; professional fluency in one other Asiatic language (desirable)
  • Well-developed presentation skills
  • Clearly demonstrated problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Eager to learn, team-oriented
  • Highly organised, dependable, with a sense of integrity and strong time management skills
  • Strong sense of responsibility and ownership, self-motivated to deliver excellence
  • Willing to take risks and own the results

Read our privacy policy here.

Please note that due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you have any questions about this position, please email careers@aware.org.sg.

Position Filled: Managing Director and Consulting Principal, Catalyse

We are no longer accepting applicants for this role.

We are looking for a passionate, highly driven individual to lead and shape Catalyse in its next stage of growth.

Mission of Catalyse: Catalyse is a corporate advisory, consulting and training business unit within AWARE. Catalyse’s mission is to advise and support clients in building diverse and inclusive workplaces where employees feel safe, are treated with respect and dignity, and have the opportunity to achieve their potential. Its approach is based on and benefits from a unique insight into diversity issues in Asia. Clients include local and multinational companies in Asia and North America, public sector and government organisations and institutes of higher learning.

Position: Managing Director and Consulting Principal
Contract Term: Full-time, permanent

Job Description

Reporting to the Executive Director of AWARE, the Managing Director and Consulting Principal (MDCP) of Catalyse has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the direction and execution of Catalyse’s programmes, staff and volunteers. The MDCP operates in a broad role with key commercial targets in place, holding ultimate accountability for strategy, thought leadership, product development and sales, as well as consulting execution and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and sustainably grow Catalyse in a way that is consistent with the values of diversity and inclusion, gender equality and respect for others
  • Formulate and oversee implementation of Catalyse business plans, budgets and programmes, ensuring their quality and effectiveness in meeting strategic goals and financial targets
  • Develop and manage productive client relationships to grow a portfolio of meaningful and successful engagements
  • Strengthen and enhance the Catalyse brand through effective engagement with key influencers and the media
  • Provide thought leadership and guide the development of content to effectively equip clients to meet diversity, equity and inclusion goals
  • Lead the team of Catalyse employees and consultants in the development and delivery of products and services, ensuring a positive, high-performance work culture and sustainable talent pool
  • Engage and work with the Catalyse Board Committee (which serves a governance and advisory function) by providing timely and accurate information and insights
  • Liaise with AWARE staff to communicate Catalyse’s goals and collaborate with AWARE’s senior executives on strategies to support the success of both AWARE and the company
  • Uphold the highest ethical standards as well as ensure organisational accountability and compliance with the law

Requirements

The candidate must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident with the following qualifications and proven competencies:

  • University degree, preferably in disciplines such as Organisational Development, Psychology, Business
  • Minimum 15 years’ work experience in areas such as Diversity & Inclusion, Organisational Development, consulting, training, coaching, change management, and/or human resource management, with significant experience leading professional teams
  • Deep understanding of organisational behaviour and diversity and inclusion issues in a corporate environment
  • Ability to manage a profitable enterprise in a way that is consistent with AWARE’s mission, vision and values of diversity and inclusion, gender equality and respect for others.
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to develop new business and retain clients
  • Ability to attract, develop and retain the right staff in the right roles

The following attributes will be critical for success in this role:

  • Personal credibility with key stakeholder groups; able to work effectively and diplomatically with a wide range of people across organisational levels in both private and public sectors
  • Outstanding communication skills with the ability to adapt language and style to suit the audience and occasion
  • A collaborative mindset and positive outlook with a drive for results
  • Strong organisational skills and technological savvy to ensure effective information management, efficient processes and measurable outcomes

Read our privacy policy here.

Please note that due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you have any questions about this position, please email careers@aware.org.sg.

Position Filled: Helpline Executive, Sexual Assault Care Centre (Part-time)

We are no longer accepting applicants for this role.

AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) is looking for a part-time Helpline Executive to serve as a first responder for sexual assault survivors, and to support staff and case managers in various projects.

If you are passionate about helping survivors reclaim control of their lives after experiencing trauma, join AWARE in its fight against sexual violence. You’ll play an essential, hands-on role at SACC—the only centre of its kind in Singapore. Read more about it here.

Position: Helpline Executive 
Commitment: Part-time (four hours/day: 10am – 2pm or 2pm – 6pm, Mon to Fri); two-year contract
Starting date: September 2021 and January 2022
Salary: S$15/hour
Citizenship: Singapore citizen/PR

Job Description

  • Ensuring high-quality and timely response to people reaching out to SACC through calls, WhatsApp, emails, walk-ins, referrals and other platforms
  • Scheduling clients with case managers, counsellors, etc. via phone, emails and/or face-to-face
  • Documenting and filing confidential notes, intake forms, etc.
  • Identifying and improving current processes, and coordinating updates of SOPs
  • Supporting staff and volunteers on various projects and ad-hoc programmes as required
  • Providing administrative and operational support to SACC

Requirements

  • At least 1 year of work experience in a related field
  • Relevant educational qualifications such as social work, counselling, psychology or related field preferred
  • Must be proficient in English (verbal and written). Fluency in a second (Mandarin, Malay or Tamil) is a bonus
  • Training on trauma is a bonus
  • Beneficial to have completed the four-month AWARE Helpliner Training
  • In addition to a strong belief in AWARE’s mission and vision, we look for candidates who demonstrate the following:
    • Excellent interpersonal, empathy and communication skills in English (verbal and written)
    • Good analytical skills and commitment to confidentiality
    • Superb organisational and time management skills
    • Ability to use initiative and judgement to solve problems independently
    • Experience or interest in supporting or empowering individuals
    • Computer-savvy, proficient in Google Workspace and MS Office (Word and Excel)

Read our privacy policy here.

Please note that due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you have any questions about this position, email careers@aware.org.sg.

A Recap: Navigating the civil divorce process in Singapore (webinar)

Written by Lee Chong Ming, AWARE intern

On 25 May 2021, AWARE hosted a free webinar with Lim Shu Yi from Parwani Law LLC on navigating the civil divorce process in Singapore.

The webinar had 88 attendees from many walks of life. While most of the attendees were individuals seeking advice for their own personal situations, several social service professionals and students were present to learn more about the civil divorce process.

Since the circuit breaker period, law firms have reported an increase in divorce-related inquiries, possibly due to heightened tensions and stress from working at home and managing childcare. There has also been a rising number of divorces between younger couples in recent years, as highlighted by new data in a Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) report. Hence, women contemplating divorce proceedings need to first familiarise themselves with the proceedings and technical know-how in order to maintain a clear direction throughout the process.

In the webinar, Shu Yi covered practical solutions and resources that women can use to navigate legal proceedings with more ease.

At the outset, she provided clarifications to certain legal terms to illustrate how divorce proceedings can be intimidating and/or confusing, and highlight the importance of being focused during this emotionally turbulent period. For example, Shu Yi explained the differences between the commonly confused terms “care and control” and “custody”. She also described the differences between undergoing uncontested and contested divorce.

Shu Yi then described the renewed vision of family justice, through the framework of therapeutic justice. The Family Justice Courts and family justice community, she said, are trying to engender a shift in mindsets so that the resolution of family disputes need not be adversarial in nature. Therapeutic justice compels us to prioritise the protection of families and children, by steering parties towards amicable and empowering outcomes. We should employ such a “lens of care” to examine how laws and legal procedures, as well as the roles and behaviors of family justice participants, can be damaging in family disputes. This requires a collective effort to rethink laws and procedures and ensure that they are more intentional and helpful for families as they undertake new lives apart.

After setting out the above, Shu Yi guided participants down the roadmap to civil divorce proceedings through useful resources such as the documents readily available for public use on the Family Justice Courts website. She went through a checklist of essential documents and information that parties need to provide over the course of divorce, including methods on deriving a maintenance sum, permutations on the distribution of matrimonial assets and the concept of costs of divorce proceedings.

In rounding out the information provided above, Shu Yi spent some time explaining the need to manage one’s expectations and emotions during the divorce. Many women feel very alone when they undergo divorce, but ideally they should feel empowered to get through the proceedings with confidence. Shu Yi noted that support groups and counselling services may therefore be good options for women to consider when undergoing a stressful divorce. She went through a list of some available counselling services and support centres in Singapore, including the Court Friends/Friends of Litigants-in-Person (FLiP) Programme at the Family Justice Courts (FJC). Hopefully, accessing such services can keep women emotionally grounded and remind them of their priorities: i.e. to start the next chapter of their lives without disadvantage.

Following Shu Yi’s presentation, participants were invited to ask questions on the divorce process and legal proceedings. Many raised queries about the calculation of matrimonial assets and the enforcement of care and custody.

At the conclusion of the webinar, feedback from attendees was collected, with most sharing that they found the session to be informative and helpful—a much-needed avenue for individuals to learn about the divorce process and resources. They also praised Shu Yi for being empathetic and knowledgeable.

“The speaker was clear in sharing about the topic,” commented one attendee. “I liked that she covered the checklist for the proceedings and some of the more important considerations [for divorce].”

If you would like to receive pro bono legal advice on divorce, consider making an appointment at AWARE’s free legal clinic. Read more about that service here.

29 June, 6 and 13 July 2021: Birds & Bees, a workshop for parents about sex education

“How do I start talking to my child about romantic relationships?”

“How can I talk to my child about sex without making it sound like a lecture?

“How can I let my child know that I’m on his/her side and care about what he/she feels?

Most parents believe that it is important to talk to their children about sex, but many are uncertain how to do it. But what happens when you keep putting it off until the children are “older”? Where do your children get answers to questions they can’t ask you? (The internet is one such place, and young people say they are most likely to ask peers and romantic partners.)

Birds & Bees is an experiential workshop for parents, developed by parents, to explore what works for you when talking to your child about romantic relationships and sex. A variety of formats will be used, including opportunities for dialogue, discussion and reflection

Most parents believe that it is important to talk to their children about sex, but many are unsure how to do it. Or, when to start having these conversations and about what. Where do children get answers to the questions they can’t ask their parents? The internet is one source, and young people themselves say they are most likely to ask peers and romantic partners. Wouldn’t you rather they turn towards you? The “ask-able” parent who is open to questions, ready to make an effort to listen without judgement and engage in a dialogue?

Parents with children of all ages will benefit, although parents with tweens and teens are more likely to find the case studies and discussions in groups immediately relevant.

Places are limited, so do sign up quickly!

Date: Tuesdays – 29 June, 6 and 13 July (Participants are expected to attend all three sessions)

Time: 8-9:30pm

Workshop Fee: $20 (in total)

Survey: After you sign up, you will be asked to complete a short pre-workshop survey about the age(s) and number of your children. This is very important so that parents with children of similar ages can be grouped together to that you will get the most out of the workshop.

Special instructions for online workshop: As small-group discussions are a big part of the workshop, participants are expected to switch on their video as well as audio whenever possible, and to join in the discussions for maximum benefit.

Refunds and cancellations: Unfortunately we will not be offering refunds. In exceptional circumstances, if you are unable to attend the subsequent sessions, you will be able to join the next set of workshops if you write in to publiceducation@aware.org.sg in advance giving your reasons.

**If you would like to join the workshop but cannot make it at this time, please fill in the indication of interest form.

Register here.

30 June 2021: Fundraising workshop

Fundraising is so much more than simply raising donations for a charity. It is a vital tool in educating and raising awareness for a cause: be it gender equality, LGBTQ rights or something else close to your heart.

Run by our experienced fundraising team, this session will provide an overview of AWARE’s work, highlight areas where we need support and list ways our enthusiastic and resourceful community members can create impact for us through various messaging strategies.

We will pay particular attention to peer-to-peer fundraising: i.e. when supporters leverage their own professional and social networks to raise awareness and donations. AWARE has benefitted from many incredible peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns in the past, from bake sales to online craft fairs and more. We’ll share our insights on the necessary ingredients for a successful campaign, with creative examples and best practices.

Through facilitated group discussions, we also hope to hear your ideas on strategies for fundraising. We’d love to learn from you as well!

Date: Wednesday, 30 June 2021

Time: 5-7PM

Venue: Online (Zoom)

Register here!