Response to Education Ministry’s decision to drop AWARE as a vendor for sexuality education programmes

MEDIA STATEMENT – 21 May 2009
Response to Education Ministry’s decision to drop AWARE as a vendor for sexuality education programmes

It is regrettable that the Ministry has seen a need to make this move. However, we recognise that
the ministry has been under considerable pressure from some parents on the matter and we can
understand why it has taken this action.

AWARE still believes our Comprehensive Sexuality Education programme is a much needed resource
for youths. It was drawn up by professionals and, during the two years it was run in schools, there
was no negative feedback. During the furore of recent weeks, many parents made a point of saying
they would be keen for their children to benefit from the objective and frank approach AWARE’s
programme takes to sexuality. We will continue with our review of the programme, and this will be
done in consultation with parents, teachers, counsellors and other relevant parties. At the
appropriate time we may offer it again to the Education Ministry.

The CSE programme, however, is just one of AWARE’s activities. It has been given disproportionate
publicity in recent weeks. It is unfortunate if there are now people in Singapore who associate
AWARE only with sex education.

AWARE has three areas of activity – research and advocacy, direct services, and public education.
The first, research and advocacy, has been AWARE’s hallmark from the start. The work goes on with
the CEDAW shadow report, and research into issues such as sexual harassment at work, work life
balance, the challenges faced by singles in Singapore, and the trafficking of women and children.

The AWARE helpline, along with our counselling service and the Legal Clinic, continues to be
invaluable to women in distress. With our newly expanded membership, we have many new
members who are offering to help in these areas and we hope to improve and expand these services
in the course of this year.

We also plan to step up our efforts in public education, including reviving the talks and forums that
we used to hold in the early years at public libraries and other community locations. The EGM on 2
May showed very clearly that the women of Singapore have strong views on many matters and that
they want to stand up and speak out. AWARE will organise forums and other opportunities for them
to do so. We will make greater use of new media to reach out to members and to create channels
for them to express their views and to network with each other.

Dana Lam, President.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28486.226

MEDIA STATEMENT – 21 May 2009
Response to Education Ministry’s decision to drop AWARE as a vendor for sexuality education programmes

It is regrettable that the Ministry has seen a need to make this move. However, we recognise that
the ministry has been under considerable pressure from some parents on the matter and we can
understand why it has taken this action.

AWARE still believes our Comprehensive Sexuality Education programme is a much needed resource
for youths. It was drawn up by professionals and, during the two years it was run in schools, there
was no negative feedback. During the furore of recent weeks, many parents made a point of saying
they would be keen for their children to benefit from the objective and frank approach AWARE’s
programme takes to sexuality. We will continue with our review of the programme, and this will be
done in consultation with parents, teachers, counsellors and other relevant parties. At the
appropriate time we may offer it again to the Education Ministry.

The CSE programme, however, is just one of AWARE’s activities. It has been given disproportionate
publicity in recent weeks. It is unfortunate if there are now people in Singapore who associate
AWARE only with sex education.

AWARE has three areas of activity – research and advocacy, direct services, and public education.
The first, research and advocacy, has been AWARE’s hallmark from the start. The work goes on with
the CEDAW shadow report, and research into issues such as sexual harassment at work, work life
balance, the challenges faced by singles in Singapore, and the trafficking of women and children.

The AWARE helpline, along with our counselling service and the Legal Clinic, continues to be
invaluable to women in distress. With our newly expanded membership, we have many new
members who are offering to help in these areas and we hope to improve and expand these services
in the course of this year.

We also plan to step up our efforts in public education, including reviving the talks and forums that
we used to hold in the early years at public libraries and other community locations. The EGM on 2
May showed very clearly that the women of Singapore have strong views on many matters and that
they want to stand up and speak out. AWARE will organise forums and other opportunities for them
to do so. We will make greater use of new media to reach out to members and to create channels
for them to express their views and to network with each other.

Dana Lam, President.