EYES ON AWARE
Global
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| Description: | The Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) is one of Singapore's best-known women's groups, dedicated to supporting gender equality. On March 28, Aware was taken over by a group of newcomers who had only recently joined the organisation. 102 people turned up for Aware's annual general meeting (AGM), which had been relatively less well-attended in the past. 80 of these attendants had only recently joined Aware between January and March 2009. When the election of office bearers began, almost every position was challenged by a member of this group. 9 out of 12 of the executive committee memberships went to newcomers, who were voted in by wide majorities. Mrs Claire Nazar - one of the few old members of Aware to be voted in - became President. She resigned a week into her new term and declined to make any public comment. It is not yet known who will become President. There are wide-ranging suspicions that this "leadership grab" has been orchestrated by conservative Christians seeking to use the name and the resources of a well-respected institution to further their own agenda. These concerns have been expressed not only by onlookers, but by older members of Aware. WHY SHOULD I CARE? ----------------------------------- Besides the fact that Aware is one of the most well-respected and well-run institutions in Singapore dedicated to helping women? And the fact that its takeover, while ostensibly democratic, has more to do with a military coup than an actual legitimate democratic process? 1. Gender Equality Aware is one of the leading voices for gender equality in Singapore, and has campaigned tirelessly on behalf of this cause. Its full list of achievements can be seen here (http://www.aware.org.sg/?page_id=19). When the newcomers were asked whether they believed in gender equality, they refused to answer and "kept repeating they were there to support women and to make sure they got ahead and got all the opportunities given to them" (Dana Lam). We say: This is ridiculous. Aware was set up to promote gender equality. It is completely absurd for it to be taken over by a new executive that not only refuses to state whether it supports the basic principle of the group's existence, but then issues vague, supposedly comforting platitudes about making sure women get what they deserve. 2. Freedom of Sexuality The blog Alice Cheong in Wonderland has found that the new Honorary Secretary, Jenica Chua, has written in to the Straits Times supporting the criminalisation of homosexual acts. Other new members present, Angela Thiang and Dr Alan Chin, have written similar letters to the Forum pages. As Fridae.com has noted, Aware was "one of a number of non-governmental groups in Singapore [...] which have called for both Sections 377 and 377A of the Penal Code to be repealed completely in 2007". In other words, Aware supports sexual equality as well as gender equality - it actively aligns itself against homophobia and anti-gay legislation. None of this sits well with the apparent inclinations of its new members. However, when asked whether or not the newcomers shared Aware's vision and values, Thiang stated that "questions about the new office bearers' religion and their stand on homosexuality were not relevant". We say: That's not what you want to hear from people whose personal beliefs appear to run contrary to the values of an organisation they have been elected to lead. We say: If these people are willing to publicly express these beliefs in the ST Forum pages, then they won't exactly be able (or willing) to put these away in order to run Aware the way it should rightly be - according to values of gender, sexual, racial and religious equality. 3. Outreach and Support Aware runs a comprehensive sexual education programme in Singapore schools, teaching youths how to have responsible, healthy and mature sexual and romantic relationships. It does not support abstinence of "scare tactics" and seeks to "bring sexuality out into the open" (aware.org.sg). We say: If Aware has been taken over by conservative Christians, how long do you think this programme will last? Aware also runs Direct Services, which provides helplines, counsellors, legal advisors and support groups for all women, regardless of race, religion or sexuality. We say: The objective, non-judgemental and welcoming approach of Aware is what distinguishes it from other women's groups, which often align themselves with religious or ethnic organisations. Singaporean women need an organisation like this to exist, and for its agenda to be unspoiled by those seeking to hijack it for their own means. WHAT CAN YOU DO? ------------------- Do you agree with this group? Join it. Invite your friends and your family - Singaporean or not, male or female, Christian and non-Christian, gay or straight. We want to be as inclusive as the new executive is turning out not to be. More importantly, keep watching Aware. Email or write letters to the new executive and let them know that you are concerned for the organisation and hope that its new executive will remain true to the values of Aware. Attend open meetings and express your concerns. (We recommend asking new members of the executive if they believe in feminism. Then watch them try to ramble their way out.) Better yet, become a member. Yearly membership costs $5 if you're a student below the age of 25, or $40 otherwise. (You can join if you're a man.) You can then vote in elections (or stand for election yourself). Voting keeps the new executive accountable to its members and the organisation itself. Guess what? If there are enough of us, voting also has the handy function of kicking out members of the executive. |
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