Overseas S'poreans set up online petition against AWARE new guard
This is new guard team. (From left: Ms Maureen Ong, Ms Josie Lau, Ms Jenice Chua and Ms Lois Ng.)
Save AWARE, plead some overseas Singaporeans, who are concerned that the body is headed in the wrong direction under the charge of the newly-appointed committee, whom they feel oppose the original values of the organisation.
AWARE, which stands for Association of Women for Action and Research, was set up in 1985 to promote gender equality, and as it states in its mission statement, it "has brought women’s perspectives to national issues and has focused on Research & Advocacy, Public Education, and Direct Services. "
The body, however, has been hit by wave after wave of controversy, from its appointment of new president Josie Lau, 48, after the resignation of elected president Claire Nazar,37, who quit just after 11 days into her presidency, to its formation of a new exco which saw the absence of many familiar faces.
The body, however, has been hit by wave after wave of controversy, from its appointment of new president Josie Lau, 48, after the resignation of elected president Claire Nazar,37, who quit just after 11 days into her presidency, to its formation of a new exco which saw the absence of many familiar faces.
The resulting media slingfest saw tempers flare, as the old guard accused the new of shutting it out and of not consulting its members.
The bad blood culminated in allegations of death threats being made against the new committee, in a press conference made on April 23.
SngHE forwarded STOMP a link to the online petition, which was set up on April 22, and as at 10:43 am on April 24, garnered 348 signatures.
The group states:
"As Singaporeans overseas we are very concerned about the take-over of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) on 28 March 2009 by a group of people, whose values are opposed to what AWARE stands for.
"As Singaporeans overseas we are very concerned about the take-over of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) on 28 March 2009 by a group of people, whose values are opposed to what AWARE stands for.
"For nearly 25 years, AWARE has worked to advance gender equality for all women in Singapore, regardless of race, religion, or sexuality. Through its many contributions, AWARE has significantly enhanced women’s capacity to make informed choices over their bodies and their lives."
The group hence calls for public support:
"We call on the fundamentalist group who have taken over to respect AWARE’s vision of ‘gender equality for all’ and its mission ‘to identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change; and support women in realizing their highest potential.’
"We call on the fundamentalist group who have taken over to respect AWARE’s vision of ‘gender equality for all’ and its mission ‘to identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change; and support women in realizing their highest potential.’
"As reported by The Straits Times (10 April 2009), when this new group was asked at the recent Annual General Meeting if they believe in equality, ‘they kept repeating they were there to support women and to make sure they got ahead and got all the opportunities given to them.’ We call on this group to quit AWARE as soon as possible, if they cannot uphold its foundational vision and mission."
The petition also urges supporters to attend an extraordinary general meeting next Saturday, to consider a vote of No Confidence in the new committee.
The petition also urges supporters to attend an extraordinary general meeting next Saturday, to consider a vote of No Confidence in the new committee.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27803.1
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