Support Aware to be inclusive, secular, and diversified!

Over the past two week, I was deeply upset, disturbed and digusted with the recent hostile take over of Aware by a group who doesn't understand what Aware stands for and our legacy. Yes, objectively, the old Aware team is not perfect either...BUT how dare they? What audacity to sack Breama as Chair of CEDAW and then all the heads of the Sub-Committee and then to replace them with her own Exco - all within the first 2 weeks of their term. Their plans are not stated transparently (picture this: Josie and her cats are hiding away reading the files at Aware office I suppose), their vision is not align with Aware's philosophy too. Sly and sneaky people can't be trusted. Chatted with my girl friends, Siya, Lydia and Michelle - friends whom I have made through Aware to rant... Watching the recent interview on CNA with Josie makes me fuming mad! She knows nothing much about Aware and uses words like "consolidate" and grow depth.. Hello, Aware is not a corporation! Yes, I am not impress, respect or believe in her team. I trawled through the net and online blogs, media to understand what outsiders think, and their perspectives - in case I get too emo and can't think objectively anymore. haa Internal politics aside, many lessons can be learnt from this saga too (next post). Interestingly, the Aware saga opens up and livens up the Civil Society as a whole with the open discussions and myriad of perspectives. Just wanted to point out that - the new leader, J and half of her team aren't interest in Aware mission nor volunteer with us before. When The previous leaders fought with blood and sweat, with their heart to lobby for institutional changes over the last 25 years. It's not something that that the new Exco can change our mission and philosophy. I simply can't stand the way they try to put across their personal agenda and DARE to inflitrate such a reputable and respectable organisation which is known for being vocal. Don't mess with us! For the latest happenings, read about it here and the myths demystified Let your voices be heard. If you are a member of Aware and care enough, join us at the EOGM on 2 May, Sat, 1pm.
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AWARE is a secular organization that embraces diversity in race, religion, culture and sexuality. In its 24 years of existence, it has worked ceaselessly to build up its body of knowledge, expertise and experience in women’s issues and has contributed significantly to advancing women’s rights in areas of domestic violence, marital rape, gender discrimination in the Civil Service and medical school, sexual harassment and many others.
Its success is based on the expertise, knowledge and experience of its members, some of whom have been with AWARE since 1985. It is founded and has until now, always been operated on an ethos of inclusiveness which ensured that it recognized the needs of all women, whatever their background. AWARE provides its services as a secular organization, without the bias of any religious ideology.
The foundation of AWARE as an inclusive and secular society has been challenged. At the AGM on 28th March 2009, a group of women who were mostly entirely new to AWARE (generally, 2 – 5 months experience) orchestrated a takeover of AWARE to further their own agenda.
We, concerned members of AWARE, are working with former AWARE Committee Members and Founder Members to petition for an EGM to consider a vote of no confidence in the New Exco.
OUR GROUNDS INCLUDE:
1. Lack of Transparency The group has to-date not once communicated its plans and specific goals to its members, despite questions raised by the media. The secrecy of the group is disturbing and gives rise to greater suspicion.
2. Lack of Experience 8 of the 9 new members have been in AWARE for less than 5 months; none of them has served in AWARE committees nor participated in AWARE initiatives as volunteers.
3. Unjustified Termination and Disregard of Experienced Volunteers The new Exco has terminated all the current heads of the AWARE sub-committees, including the summary dismissal of Braema Mathi, Chairperson of AWARE's CEDAW Committee (CEDAW stands for Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women). Ms Mathi is Singapore's leading NGO expert on CEDAW. Constance Singam and Claire Nazar have resigned from the new Exco on the grounds that their advice and direction have been totally disregarded by members of the new Exco.
4. Undermining of Fundamental Values The new Exco have not openly declared their intentions but there is strong evidence of religious ideology that goes against AWARE’s values, such as full equality in the home between wife and husband, the right of a woman to choose to have an abortion, and tolerance of homosexuality.
HELP US SAVE AWARE: JOIN US AT THE EGM
If you support AWARE's stand on inclusiveness and want to see it continue its work on the empowerment of all women, please attend the EGM to pass a vote of no-confidence in the new Exco.
EGM DETAILS
Date: Saturday 2 May 2009
Time: 2 - 5pm
Venue: First Choice Auditorium, 3 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #01-01 HSR Building Singapore
IF YOU ARE NOT YET A MEMBER (or your membership has lapsed) sign up at http://www.aware.org.sg/?page_id=1078. Membership costs $40, you can pay by credit card or paypal. You have voting rights if you are Singaporean or Singapore PR, 18 years and above and female. Voting by proxy is not permitted.
This is the Aware I believed in, gave my heart, and time volunteering over the last 2 years. Please Save Aware! Buzz me at my mobile for a chat or discussion! .................................................................................. Interesting read elsewhere: To find one's voice again, by PatLaw Be the Voice, Break the Glass by Michelle, Jolene and Raqvind Singapore Daily