REVISITING THE SINGAPORE WOMEN’S CHARTER @ Orchard Hotel

FORUM ON
REVISITING THE SINGAPORE WOMEN’S CHARTER
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Ballroom 2, Orchard Hotel Singapore

There has not been enough public discussion on the contributions of the Women’s Charter to women’s lives in Singapore. The one-day forum aims to examine the significance of the Singapore Women’s Charter in the first few years of its promulgation since the Charter was established in 1961 followed by amendments made to it more than 10 years ago, and the social impact it has had since then.

The forum consists of two sessions. The morning session titled “Empowering Women: Legal Mechanisms for Advancing Women’s Rights” will consist of three papers dealing with the institutional mechanisms in place in Southeast Asia and, in particular, Singapore to protect women’s rights. The afternoon session titled “Dealing with Divorces and Domestic Violence: The Women’s Charter in Theory and Practice” will consist of two papers dealing with the function of the Charter in addressing domestic violence in relationships and maintenance issues in the case of divorce based on real-life examples.

Specific topics discussed at the forum include: (a) the significance of legal mechanisms in Southeast Asia to protect women’s rights; (b) the historical antecedents leading to the promulgation of the Singapore Women’s Charter; (c) an analysis of some legal highlights contained in the Charter; (d) the shortcomings of the Charter; (e) how the Charter has been crucial in addressing day-to-day problems in failed marriages; and, (f) the psycho-social effects of the Charter on women. A copy of the draft programme is attached.

It is aimed that the forum serves as a platform for extending knowledge on the social implications of the Singapore Women’s Charter among social work and legal practitioners, local academics, and civil society representatives.

Please confirm your acceptance of this invitation by completing and returning the attached Reply Form to reach us by 5 June 2009.

There is no registration fee for this Forum.

For further enquiries, please call May at Tel: 6870-2473 or e-mail .

Yours sincerely
Dr Theresa W Devasahayam
Fellow and Gender Studies Programme Coordinator

A Peace Vigil for the Freedom of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi - TOMORROW

Conducted by: MARUAHDate: Sunday, 31 May 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Venue: Speakers' Corner

The members of MARUAH (Singapore Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism), would like to invite you to be a part of the civil movement to call for the freedom of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This is a peaceful rally to ask you to give two hours of your time to show support to a courageous women, who has been placed under house arrest for almost two decades and now held in a formidable prison.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the democratically-held elcetions in 1990, has been under house arrest for almost two decades. On 18th May 2009, she was charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest and stood trial. She has borne her trials with dignity. Yet they continue unabated. The world has honoured her with a Nobel Peace Prize and lobbied tirelessly for her freedom but there is growing helplessness towards the situation as the Myanmar junta continues to keep her in detention without trial.

We need to show ASEAN solidarity at the civil society level and act together to ask for her freedom. Let us come together throughout ASEAN on the same day at the same time and request for her freedom. Let us show solidarity by wearing some yellow in our clothing, hold a candlight vigil and let off as many yellow-coloured balloons with her portrait, into the skies.
For information about the event, click here. For more information about the advisory, click here


Advisory

This is a peaceful rally to ask as many people in Singapore to give two hours of their time to show support to a courageous women – Daw Aung Sung Suu Kyi - who has been placed under house arrest for almost two decades and now is held in a formidable prison.

We, as organizers, will be upset for you if we, had in any way, not advised supporters to mind themselves so that we all stay within the law while asking that Daw Aung Sung Suu Kyi be released.

So please do not be alarmed by this advisory or be put off by it. Stay true to your heart’s desire of wanting to show support, please come and, if you are a foreigner especially, be just mindful of supporting without breaking any local laws.

Cheers,
Braema Mathi
Chaiperson, MARUAH
Singapore Working Group for ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
19 May 2009
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In Unity for the Liberty of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Speakers’ Corner
Date: 31st may 2009
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Theme: yellow colour; vigil with speeches; candlelight; releasing some yellow balloons with her portrait as a symbol of asking for her to be set free

ADVISORY

1. Only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can participate in the demonstration in the Speakers Corner.

2. Observers – those who are unsure of their immigration status or are not citizens or PRs - please do know that by law you ought not to carry placards, banners, posters or photographs of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or any Burmese opposition leaders.

3. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who are taking part in the demonstration, please comply with the following conditions:

a. Please do not recite anything that is religious or may cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups. Please remember this is a peaceful demonstration. We are showing our solidarity with the people in ASEAN in asking for the release of Daw Aung Sung Suu kyi and also our sadness at the state of democracy in Myanmar(Burma)

b. We do not encourage placards or banners except for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s photograph, which we strongly encourage. If there are placards or banners they must not contain violent, lewd or obscene material.

A reminder: The organizers can request members of the public to leave the area demarcated for the demonstration should their actions be considered as flouting the terms and conditions of licence granted by the National Parks of Singapore for this demonstration or any other laws regulating public demonstrations in Singapore.

The AWARE Singapore Collective

International press talking about AWARE

The Star | Enter citizen awareness

A lightning takeover of the women’s rights organisation Aware by an anti-gay group and its subsequent ouster was a lesson well learnt. SINGAPORE is in the process of rapid transformation, and one of the biggest changes is of its people.

The Economist: Taken unawares | Singapore's NGO fu...

A BLOODLESS coup instigated by a septuagenarian “feminist mentor”; a death threat sent to the new president’s husband by a self-proclaimed “jihadist sleeper”; a 3,000-person showdown. The tiny world of Singapore’s usually timid NGOs has never seen anything like it.

Reuters: Women's group coup awakens Singapore civi...

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A power struggle in Singapore's top women's advocacy group has awakened the conservative city-state's civil society and created rare public debate about the taboo issues of sex and religion.

Christian fundamentalists hijack Singaporean feminist group ...

AWARE held its annual general meeting (AGM) on 28 March 2009. .... Singapore's a slow news country. The local press have pretty much done this ..... Boing Boing is a trademark of Happy Mutants LLC in the United States and other countries.

Following AWARE
http://twitter.com/weareaware
http://delicious.com/awaresg/news

Aftermath of AWARE saga

Extracted from SIngaporeDaily.net

Weekly Roundup: Week 19

Posted by singaporedaily on May 9th, 2009

We at Singapore Daily wish all our readers a Happy Vesak Day

“I’m on page 73.”
Thio Su Mien

“the defining moments of this whole episode — one side being about Shut-Up and Sit Down, and the other side being about Stand up and Speak Out.”
Mathia Lee

“The battle for Aware should be seen instead as a struggle over how – not whether – to insert faith-based values into public life.”
Cherian George

“Economic growth should benefit all Singaporeans, not just the rich and well-connected.”
Avery Chong, Gerald Giam, Nathaniel Koh, Watson Chong and Yaw Shin Leong

“The thrown chair could have killed somebody.”
Lim Hwee Hwa

This week’s roundup and recommended reads after the break.

AWARE Takeover Aftermath
- TOC: AWARE: Lessons from a fiasco [Recommended]
- …thrills, spills & flatliners: FUNDIES, EXIT… STAGE LEFT
- still me.: Asian societies and the Chinese Gentry
- The Wayang Party: Aftermath of Aware EGM: Time for some house-keeping
- Youth.sg: AWARE: a case study in respect
- Alice Cheong in Wonderland: Moving on from EOGM
- Singapore Alternatives: Lesson from AWARE SAGA - Defending our National Core Values
- Sgpolitics: An open letter to new AWARE president Dana Lam and her team
- God’s in his heaven, All’s well with the world: I am AWARE, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore
- Mr Wang Says So: Thank God the Christians Were Defeated
- Singapore Dino: “Feminist Mentor” Thio Su Mien’s gang thrown out of AWARE
- My Little Corner: AWARE saga is finally coming to an end
- Singapore Life and Times: RIP
- Blowin’ In The Wind: Singapore women’s group routs anti-gays, media goes to town
- The Wayang Party: Aftermath of Aware EGM: How Josie and team manage to play the media card the wrong way
- Dee Kay Dot As Gee: The Aware Saga - Time to repair the damages
- ALVINOLOGY: Alvinology goes to the AWARE EGM
- Illusio: An issue of statements I
- Diary of A Singaporean Mind: AWARE : One Saga, Many Lessons…
- Yawning Bread: Lessons for the PAP from the Aware EOGM
- Sgpolitics.net: My response to the ST article: “Process, pluralism, protection”
- The Wayang Party: ST ploy using the Aware saga to justify shameless PAP gerrymandering via the GRC
- TOC: Letter to TOC: Aware - readers’ views
- groundnotes: How to win an EOGM and lotsa friends
- Chemical Generation Singapore: An Insidious Thiology
- Nomed Letters: Our Evil Gains from the AWARE Fiasco
- The Wayang Party: If you think good won over evil in AWARE, you better sit down, take a stress pill and think it through again!
- Tricia: I’m a hooligan and proud of it
- The Christian Post: What the ‘Aware Saga’ really is (and what it is not)
- Angry Doctor: On the same page?
- …thrills, spills & flatliners: FUND RAISING SHOUT OUT
- Mathia Lee: Things I’ve learnt from the AWARE saga [Recommended]
- Siew Kum Hong: What I took away from 2 May
- Talkiew: The Christian Post find offense in secular nature of our Society
- As My Life Is: Speak Out and Stand Up!
- Writing-Yoga-Living: Already Plotting Next Move
- TOC: The government’s strategic intervention in the Aware saga
- Sgpolitics: Political parallels of the AWARE saga
- The Wayang Party: Why the civil activism shown in the Aware saga will never be replicated in politics
- Mr Wang Says So: Steeplejacking: The Internal Crisis of Christianity?
- Illusio: Inquiring minds want to know: Caine Teo and Ape Communications
- Diary of A Singaporean Mind: More than just a Mentor…
- Singapore Kopi Tok: In the Name of Christianity
- Almost Infamous: The Authoritarians - AWARE Edition
- catherinelim.sg: Fallout of the Aware saga: A letter to concerned parents
- Empty Vessel: A response to Ms Catherine Lim
- catherinelim.sg: The Aware controversy - The Real Casualty
- Mathia Lee: AWARE’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) : Re Homosexuality, anal sex, pre-marital sex
- The Wayang Party: MOE succumbs to intense lobbying to suspend Aware’s CSE
- The Wayang Party: The CSE controversy: Let us be guided by pragmatism and scientific evidence
- The Wayang Party: LEAKED: Appeal to Prime Minister on values of marriage and family
- Tampines Court enblc/anti-enbloc: Has MOE lost it’s mind?
- Scholar at Large: AWARE and the secular conscience [Recommended]
- Glass Castle Blog: The future of Singapore’s feminism
- irreligious: Ringside seat at Aware EGM [Thanks Terence]
- Me and my thoughts: Aware - the last word
- Today In Singapore: Bulletproof Your Exco
- naif’s journal: The ‘i’m on page 73′ game [Thanks Jerome]
- Yawning Bread: Education Ministry suspends AWARE’s sexuality education program
- The Wayang Party: The AWARE steeplejackers and their deep connections to Joel’s Army and American dominionists [Recommended]
- Almost Infamous: Josie and the DBS Credit Card Boycott
- Singapore Life and Times: Silvery tongue
- defragment.me: Stop feeding the fear mongers
- Project Lucy: Let’s have an omelette for gaiety [Thanks Project Lucy]
- The Lycan Times: CSE and the role of MOE
- Sex sells, so does Politics: How an IT guy will teach school sexuality programmes

AWARE Weekend Special
AWARE Aftermath
- The Bosonic State: The Aftermath of the AWARE War
- Random Thoughts Of A Free Thinker: AWARE is saved; It is all over?
- Siew Kum Hong: We won :)
- Sam’s thoughts: AWARE restored
- Feed Me To The Fish: Why PAP leaders cannot match up to Braema Mathi
- Everyday’s Life in a Snapshot: Pastor Hong, hongkan liao lah!

AWARE EGM at Suntec
- Sayoni Speak: AWARE EOGM Results - Old Guard Returned (Singapore)
- TOC: Josie Lau and team resign from Executive Committee
- Sgpolitics: Josie Lau’s team removed, and a new leadership at AWARE has been voted in!
- TOC: Voted out but still willing to contribute
- The Wise Old Owl: AWARE EGM…Bravo to 1414 brave women!
- Motion Pictures: AWARE EGM 02 May 09
- TOC: Aware members demand: “Account for our money!”
- TOC: Chaos - “Shut up and sit down”
- The Wayang Party: Thio Su Mien asked the crowd to show her some respect during Aware EGM
- ADRENALYNNE: Aware egm starts
- The Wayang Party: LIVE from Suntec: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009
- TOC: More than a thousand turn up for Aware EOGM
- The Wayang Party: Photo Gallery: AWARE EGM, 2 May 2009 (before the EGM outside the hall)
- the DEATH of A MILLION is JUST A STATISTIC: 65% Vote of No Confidence at AWARE EGM
- TOC: Aware EOGM - Damien Chng’s photos [Pics]
- TOC: AWARE victorious and rejoice [Vids]

AWARE’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education
- Warblings Of A Little Bird: AWARE Takeover: Not a debate between gays and fundies, but between bigotry and the 21st century

Christians Speak Out
- inter alia: Gwee Li Sui’s notes: to praise or not to praise?

General Discourse
- Yawning Bread: John Dorhauer on the steeplejacking of AWARE
- Illusio: Aware’s new events management company
- Singapore Life and Times: The Other Page
- You paint the morning sky with miracles in mind: Aware and the Press
- Alamak: Today, Singapore tore up the Twitter-sphere with #awaresg being…
- My Note Book On The Web: AWARE EOGM : Twitter, Twitterfall and Twitpic the new media world

Funny CLip

A time for watershed: 25.25.25.

2.May. 2-5pm, AWARE is 25 years old this year. (same as me :)

AWARE was inspired and originated from the 1984 seminar “Women's Choices, Women's Lives”.
http://helpsaveaware.blogspot.com/2009/04/what-has-aware-done-for-women-in.html?showComment=1241194920000#c7084926040870041389

Numerology is one of my favourite reads of all time.
Numerlogist often said that when things occurs 3 times, something BIG will happen.

Symbolism

• Represent the Universal Word of God, according to Abellio.

• According to saint Augustin, the number 25 represents the Law.

• Represent the multiplication of creatures which overlap on the double world of the spirit and the matter, according to R. Allendy: "it is the life graduating on all plans and evolving by the opposite polarity game".

http://www.ridingthebeast.com/numbers/nu25.php

What will happen to AWARE tomorrow at EGM?

.........................

Understanding your rights as a women (in singapore)

1. Women's Charter

An Act to provide for monogamous marriages and for the solemnization and registration of such marriages; to amend and consolidate the law relating to divorce, the rights and duties of married persons, the protection of family, the maintenance of wives and children and the punishment of offences against women and girls; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.

[15th September 1961, Revised 1997]

Dr. Kawanjit Soin (NMP, Ex-Aware President and founder member, and TKGS alumni) pushed for amendments in Women's Charter in 1997)

Relevant links: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/gems/eeo/law/singapore/wc97.htm
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51529.htm
Singapore Statues:
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-353&doctitle=WOMEN%92S%20CHARTER%0A&date=latest&method=part


A Summary:
The Women's Charter is an Act which provides the legal basis for equal rights and responsibilities between husbands and wives in the management of children and the home.

Section 46 states the duties and rights of a husband and wife in the management of the home and children as follows:

a. They are mutually bound to co-operate with each other in safeguarding the interests of the union and in caring and providing for the children.
b. They have equal rights in the running of the matrimonial household.
c. They have the right separately to engage in any trade or profession or in social activities.
d. The wife has the right to use her own surname and name separately.

Section 51 ensures the legal capacity of married women in respect of ownership and as a contractual party:

a. in acquiring, holding and disposing of, any property;
b. in being liable in respect of any tort, contract, debt or obligation;
c. in suing and being sued in her own name either in tort or in contract or otherwise and in being entitled to all remedies and redress for all purposes; and,
d. in being subject to the law relating to bankruptcy and to the enforcement of judgements and orders.

Section 52 guarantees that a married woman can own property and dispose of it or hold it for her separate use in equity. Property belonging to her at the time of her marriage as well as property acquired separately during the marriage also belongs to her.

Section 54 stipulates that the money and property derived from any housekeeping allowance of a matrimonial home shall, in the absence of any agreement between the spouses to the contrary, be treated as belonging to the husband and the wife in equal shares.

Section 69 makes it obligatory for a husband to maintain his wife and children during marriage. Any married woman whose husband neglects or refuses to provide for her reasonable maintenance may apply to a District Court or a Magistrate’s Court and that Court may order the husband to pay a monthly allowance or a lump sum for her maintenance.

Section 112 to 116 provides a divorced woman with rights to an equitable share of the matrimonial assets as well as to maintenance from her former husband for herself and their children under her custody.

.....................................

2. Extracted from CEDEW (Convention On the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women) report 2007

This report was submitted by AWARE to UN and MCYS.
Full downloadable report here>>

Archaic notions of marital obligations

16.123 The marital rape exemption is at worst an archaic vestige of bygone times when women were deemed mere chattels, as part of her husband’s property (with the resulting implication that the forced sexual intercourse was really little more than a man making use of his own property)71, and at best, a feeble attempt by the law to uphold and promote consortium in a marriage.

16.124 Unfortunately, the marital rape exemption is not tenable in the 21st Century when women have, through education and the mass media, become more aware of their rights and liberties. A woman’s dignity and integrity is not to be circumvented, nor in the least compromised, by the marital rape exemption.

16.125 Society has also come to terms with the notion that a marriage is a partnership between the husband and the wife. Section 46 of the Women’s Charter states:
“Upon the solemnization of marriage, the husband and the wife shall be mutually bound to co-operate with each other in safeguarding the interests of the union and in caring and providing for the children.
The husband and the wife shall have the right separately to engage in any trade or profession or in social activities.
The wife shall have the right to use her own surname and name separately.
The husband and the wife shall have equal rights in the running of the matrimonial household. ”
16.126 There is no reason why the husband should be given free rein to assert his “right” for marital intercourse and the wife has no corresponding liberty to decline.

EGM - Support AWARE to be for all women: Respect for Diversity, Dignity, and Choice. Make a difference tmr!

Do you believe in AWARE's 25 years of work, and fight for equal gender opportunities and empowerment for all women in Spore? If you care enough,
PROTECT AWARE and civil society to be secular.
STAND UP for AWARE to be for all women - respect for choice and diversity, regardless of religion, race, and ethnicity.
Make a DIFFERENCE at EGM tomorrow!

SAVE AWARE: Check out www.we-are-aware.sg for info kit, or buzz me on my mobile.
Be there early as large crowds are expected.
-Shan, AWARE member and volunteer since 2006.

>>Read more about the CEDEW report 2007 that AWARE submitted to UN.



Interview with Ex-AWARE's President, Ms Dana Lam (1999 - 2000, 2000-2001)
Dana Lam, 57 is a past president of the Association
of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and a member of The Working Committee 2 (TWC2), currently registered as Transient Workers Count Too. She's also a mother of 2.

What should a women's organisation like Aware stand for?

One of my friends ask me about what's the real story behind Aware...some of my thoughts and reflections.

I firmly believe that one need not have to be an organisation like Aware to make a difference to women.
But, really, this big saga made me probe deeper and think about Aware too ....about what is Aware really about, and what should a woman's organisation stand for, and why the tussle (between the conservatives, moderates and liberals) often poses many questions and is becoming a very complex issue.

Well, the real issue is that NGOs (and AWARE) are always secular. But Aware is now being hijacked by these Christian fundamentalists who have a religious agenda. While they are properly elected, its method has sown distrust among the members and the public. (more so, with the emergence of the secret "feminist mentor"..ha) From their recent behaviour, they have also shown much disrespect to the old guards, and failed to communicate or clarify their stand to us (members)…and not keen to have open dialogue. This lack of transparent is disturbing to many. Besides, none of the new Exco has shown interest in the organisation, otherwise why didn’t they participate in any of Aware’s activities or volunteer before.

Check out this quote by the self-proclaimed, "feminist mentor":
“Please ask your like-minded friends to join Aware so that you can give the vote to those who wish to be an agent of change for the Lord.. Unfortunately, I cannot surface but shall be assisting in the background. I attach the Aware membership application form for your use. The Aware application form has a section as to who (if any) told you about Aware. You can just leave it blank.” - SuMien, one of the leaked emails.

In my opinion, if these Christian fundamentalists were to start their own organization, it would be labelled a Christian organization and therefore seen as biased and less popular. As mentioned in the media, it seems like Aware has become a convenient organisation for them to further their cause -- and particularly, Aware has built up a strong reputation over the past 24 years, as well-established organisation internationally (e.g. UNIFEM).

Whichever, the new team it is, I hope they can address and protect the interests of all women, and not focus their energy on politicking. It really saddens me that the whole discussion -- and the mainstream media is focusing on the “homosexuality” (pro-gay) issue... which leads to the divide between Christian Right and the Gay Lobby.

To me, Aware stands for inclusiveness and secular - allows for diversity of views, and protects the interests of Singaporean women. I have really learnt a lot from this organisation, the volunteers and people that I have worked with - are very dedicated females and respestable leaders who cares so strongly for something that they will stand up for injustices and speak up!

As a Singaporean woman, I’m deeply worried for the future of Aware, and how this new Exco can continue advocate for changes for all women in Singapore, regardless of religion, age, and race.

Since 1985, Aware has been advocating for equal gender opportunities for women....and improved the progress of women through: public education, leadership/financial intelligence workshops, direct services, Befriender, helpline to distress women; Research on CEDEW, White Ribbon Campaign (campaign for elimination of violence against women), workplace harassment, work-life balance, body-image, and lobbied for institutional changes – children of overseas Singaporean women to be successfully granted citizenship since 1999. Hence, the homosexuality debate should not be the focus, and both sides should not use this platform to fight for their own interests...

To most of us, this is a fight for civil society to be secular.

This saga certainly opens up a v.lively debate among the civil society and the online community. Some interesting blogs you can check out:
http://singaporedaily.net/2009/04/25/daily-sg-25-apr-2009-aware-weekend-special/
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/we-cannot-have-people-acting-like-moral-vigilantes-says-awares-old-guards/
http://blog.alicecheong.com/?p=415

Dear friends, do give me a buzz if you have any thoughts/strong concerns, or wish to speak up about this. Thanks!

Just wanted to do my little part as a member of aware over the last 3yrs and, hopefully, to dispel some myths ...

Love to hear from other SIngaporean women, what they hope for in Aware in advocating for equal gender opportunities for women.

Sleepless Shan

.........................

the eogm is happening next Sat, 2 May.

Support Aware (and civil society) to be secular !

Save Aware: Why An Extraordinary General Meeting

1. Values of the New Exco are not the Foundational Values of AWARE (updated)
Given the religious convictions of the new Exco and their Advisor & "Feminist-Mentor", AWARE will now stand for a particular vision of Christian morality that is fundamentally opposed to AWARE's foundational principles of gender equality for all women regardless of ethnicity, culture, religion and sexuality. 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.

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.

You can't run Aware like a corporation!

I share the same sentiment as this reader>> I Want An AWARE Reconciliation Too.

This statement from Josie Lau’s interview troubled me:
But Ms Lau said change was needed because Aware had lost its focus and diversified too much, going into too many different areas. The result was that it did not have enough depth.
‘Like any good corporation, if you have diversified too much, consolidate,’ she said. ‘And as with any new committee, we know that resources are always limited, (so) let’s take a look and review what is done in the past that is good, let’s keep that, and what new ideas we have, bring on.’
Especially the ‘like any good corporation’ bit.

Support Aware to be 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.
...........................................
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

Blogs to read about alternative perspective about Aware:

Takeover of AWARE

- The Void Deck: Conspiracy Theory Awareness

- blankanvas: aware: to find one’s voice again

- Writing-Yoga-Living: I Want An AWARE Reconciliation Too.

- The Wayang Party: Supporters of AWARE old guards step up internet campaign against new exco

- Traces from elsewhere: An Open Letter on AWARE, Singapore

- Information Read by Me: Old Guards of AWARE are BUYING VOTES? [Thanks Jaunty Jabber]

What you can do to save Aware, my beloved organisation!

My personal note to friends on facebook: Dear friends, please help me save my beloved organisation, Aware - one with many respectable female leaders who fought dedicatedly for the progress of Singapore's women over the last 25 years. Support the original AWARE mission to be secular and diversified, and respect for individual choices. For more details, you may read : www.we-are-aware.sg/what-h
appened. This online petition is open to all Singaporeans and PRs at home and overseas, any gender. If you believe in the cause, pls sign the peitition at this website: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/gender-equality-for-all.html
Thank you!! -Shan


................

From Singapore Social Workers facebook group:

I am sure many of you would be familiar with the saga involving AWARE by now. As one of the more prominent women's rights group in Singapore, AWARE has been taken over by a group of relative unknowns who have not made their agenda or their policies regarding women's rights clear. Even though I am concerned about the new exco's stand on sex and sexual minority issues, what is unfortunate is that the gay vs conservative right wing christian polarity was the angle that got played up in a disproportionate fashion. What I found more disconcerting, however, was the way the new executive committee got into the governing council of AWARE due to the organisation's constitutional weakness. According to the old AWARE members, none of the members of the committee has ever volunteered for the organisation and all have only been members for 3 months or fewer. Will the new ex-co safeguard the values that AWARE has always stood for, which is equality, inclusiveness, and respect for diversity? As a social worker, such values are important to me. If you would like to support AWARE's 'vote of no confidence' campaign, please sign up as a member and vote at their Extraordinary General Meeting (EOGM) on 2nd may. More details about the EOGM and what happened can be found on this website http://www.we-are-aware.sg/ Best, Jolovan Many thought-provoking discussions on facebook group: We believe that the recent events at Aware concerns us all. >> An ethicist speaks on Aware: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/topic.php?uid=72296674515&topic=7894

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.
...........................................
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

Controversy or Conspiracy?

New team pledges to work for full equality of the sexes, really?

As a member since 2007,i'm not in favour of the new team... seems like another elite team and, from what it seems, religious-based too. SIGH

____________
New team pledges to work for full equality of the sexes

THIS is the statement issued by the new team at Aware shortly after midnight. It included an updated list of the executive committee, but did not provide any details about the women in charge:

'Aware, Singapore's leading women's advocacy organisation, is delighted to announce that its new president is Ms Josie Lau. She is joined by a dynamic, fresh and committed group of women forming the executive committee, who hail from diverse professional backgrounds drawn from the business, banking, finance, legal, education, management, human resource and social service sectors.

2009 marks the jubilee of our nation (50 years of self-government). In this period, the cause of women has made many great strides in many respects. The new team at Aware wishes to remember and honour the work of past Aware members for their vision and endeavours to advance the cause of women in all areas of society through advocacy and community work.

The new team intends to build on the solid foundations laid by the founders of Aware and will continue to promote the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of our society. The goal remains to bring about full equality of the sexes and to end all forms of discrimination against women.

Aware will build on existing advocacy, research (eg. attitude and policies towards singles) and education to empower women to deal with various forms of discrimination, raise their awareness of rights and responsibilities, and promote their welfare in tandem with the standards in the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw). In 1995, Singapore became a party to Cedaw which contains benchmarks against which to measure the elimination of discrimination against women on a national basis.

Singapore has made much progress in areas like education and health but can do better in other respects. In particular, the new team will seek to promote the role of women in politics and public life as Article 7 of Cedaw affirms. We endorse the Cedaw committee recommendation that women's participation in public life should reach a minimum of 30 per cent to 35 per cent, sharing the conviction that this will revitalise political and public life.

The new team will, as a paramount objective, seek to empower women to be leaders in our society, in politics, business, the professions and in all areas of endeavour which will benefit our nation.

President Josie Lau says: 'In these challenging times, the new team will actively seek to collaborate and align Aware with other women's organisations with outreach to girls and women who are affected by the current economic downturn.

'The new team aims to empower women who have been retrenched and equip them with new skills. In this context, we will work with training agencies and launch a series of programmes of practical assistance, such as grooming, budgeting, finance and debt management, career planning and management of change. We will continue to provide emotional, psychological or legal support for women.'

We call on all women of Singapore to rise to the challenge of taking on leadership roles in our nation. We invite volunteers to help make Aware a positive agent of change for the beneficial transformation of our society, where all people, regardless of race, religion or sex, are valued and have a place under the sun.'

Unknown takeover AWARE: Crisis

Diva Asia
http://www.divaasia.com/article/3089

Little People Press
http://littlepeoplepress.blogspot.com/2009/04/160-aware-members-call-for-meeting-to.html

http://singaporedaily.net/

Takeover of AWARE
- Chemical Generation Singapore: Chemical Generation Singapore
- Sam’s Thoughts: MediaWARE
- The Itch To write: Could this had been a conspiracy or pure coincidence?
- Sam’s thoughts: The Straits Times needs some ‘queer’
Sam Ho from CNM, NUS.

- Simply Jean: Be aware?
- Tan Kin Lian’s Blog: Protecting a democratic institution

Project Heidi

By Chris Connelly

Hate to sound so seen-it-all, but let’s face it — supermodels can disappoint in the flesh. Mostly because there’s so little of it on them. The scorchingly thin figure that makes clothes look elegant can seriously underwhelm without the curvature the camera adds. So as I wait for Heidi Klum in the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel, I’m braced for a letdown.

It never comes. Even across the dining room, Klum is mesmerizingly lovely: tight jeans tucked into boots; a black leather jacket over a striped cashmere top that makes her look like the world’s sexiest gondolier; blonde hair that spills out of a knit beret. All that’s missing is that leonine spark familiar from photos and TV appearances. This Heidi looks almost ... cuddly.

Klum orders some hot tea and hovers over it, her face looking as crisp as a Macoun apple. Unbelievably, this is how she looks in morning-after mode. She was out until 3 a.m. last night at a party following the taping of a Victoria’s Secret special that she also hosted. Already this morning, she has fed her kids, inhaled some leftover goulash that her mother had made, driven her eldest child, 4-year-old Leni, to preschool, and conferenced with Leni’s teacher. Meet the Sane Supermodel, for whom the greatest blessings aren’t found in the cordoned-off VIP area but around the family dinner table.

“I always wanted to be a mom,” Klum says in her lightly accented English. “At Thanksgiving, I have my parents there, I have screaming kids, I have a big fat turkey — 18 pounds — sitting in the middle; legs are being ripped off that thing, you know what I mean? There’s life in the house. I don’t want to be wondering about how skinny I am, wondering what I’m going to eat because I don’t want to gain and I want to look hot and young, always and forever.”

Of course, at 34, Klum looks absurdly hot and young. How, I wonder aloud, is that possible after three kids in four years?

“I always think, Look at how people were before they were pregnant,” Klum says. “If you were a toned, healthy, energetic person, most likely you will be like that again.” Cold comfort to the untoned and unhealthy, but the straight dope is sort of refreshing. “A lot of people come to me, and they’re like, ‘Will I look like you after I have the baby?’ And I say, ‘Well, how were you before?’ You can’t kid yourself.”

In 1992, Klum won a modeling contest in her native Germany — even though her look wasn’t particularly in vogue at the time. “When I started, Kate Moss was the hottest thing,” she says. “It was not about being proud and upright with the smile glowing — a powerful woman. It was more about being a crushed, crumbled person in the corner, the beaten-down girl looking a little sad and tired.”

Klum was never going to be anyone’s idea of a crushed, crumbled person. To find success in the waif era, she knew she had to be resourceful. “There were still other things out there for people who were normal-looking,” which meant modeling for catalogs — JCPenney, Spiegel, and Newport News. Then, in 1996, Klum got the call to do catalog work for Victoria’s Secret. It didn’t hurt that Klum’s European upbringing left her completely at ease with stripping down for the camera. “I come from a place where we’re not that shy about our bodies,” she notes. Then, in 1998, Klum’s distinctive décolletage made a memorable star turn on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Since then, she’s proved herself much more than a pinup, hosting Project Runway for four seasons now, critiquing contestants with Cowellian directness — dismissing their designs as too “Holly Hobby” or “home-sewn” when warranted. Says Klum, it can be just as cringey during the judging as it looks. “We’re in this dark, tiny room, and I have 15 people in front of me who are terrified. It’s not like, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ You can hear a mouse fart in that room.”

In August 2003, five weeks pregnant with daughter Leni, conceived with Italian businessman and soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend Flavio Briatore, Klum was walking through the lobby of the Mercer hotel in New York when she ran into the singer Seal. “I was not looking for anybody,” says Klum, who has a five-year marriage to hairstylist Ric Pipino behind her. “He was just there. He walked in the door, and there he was. He looked good. I was like, Wow.”

Surely she has never wanted for attention from attractive men, I say. What was it about Seal?

Klum looks at me like I’m a little dim. “Well, I mean, have you ever met him? He’s a very big man, very dark, very intriguing — and it’s like a mystery, do you know what I mean? He has these dark eyes, and they’re very intense ... but he is a gentle giant. He is so warm, and he is so well-mannered, so like a gentleman.”

The chemistry was immediate. In December of the following year, Seal proposed to Klum during a snowboarding trip, atop a glacier in the Canadian Rockies. “He took me by helicopter,” she says. “He had an igloo built there, and they’d brought up everything: a bed with sheets inside the igloo, rose petals everywhere, candles. Very, very romantic!” Her eyes blaze at the memory. “There was food and champagne, and then the helicopter left. It was a little scary, too, because you’re so cut off from the world. No trees, nothing — it was hard-core. But I was ecstatic. I loved it. It was wonderful.” With that, Klum turns toward the mirrored wall behind our booth and checks out her face, quickly dabbing at some imperfection.

Klum and Seal were married in 2005, in a small ceremony on the beach in Mexico. They’ve since had two sons — Henry, almost 3, and Johan, 18 months. Seal brings his patient, fatherly energy to the raising of Leni as well, providing a relaxed contrast to Klum’s gotta-get-it-done mind-set. “I’m a little different in my head than he is,” she says. “He takes his sweet old time. When he explains things to them, he explains them.”

Klum brims with the joy and the challenges of child-rearing. When Seal checked out local preschools, he and Klum agreed the more permissive ones weren’t right for their kids. “I’m all for expressing yourself, but you also have to clean up after yourself,” she explains. “When Johan was attempting his first steps, I kept telling him, ‘Johan, you’re the last one. The others walked when they were 1. Get cracking!’”

Leni, Klum tells me, just had her first haircut — she chose a Dora the Explorer ’do. It’s not hard to imagine that being the daughter of Heidi Klum might someday present challenges, but for now it’s all good. Before a fashion show Klum was working last fall, Leni said, “Mommy, I want to go on the runway with you, but you have to hold my hand.” “So we just walked back and forth a little bit while my mom and dad took pictures of her,” Klum says. Then, as if needing proof it all really happened, Leni scooped up some glitter from the runway and put it in her little-girl purse.

Suddenly, Klum’s eyes start following a tall, coiffed man making his way to a table at the back of the Polo Lounge. “Look! There is David Hasselhoff!” Sure enough. I start to giggle.
“Well,” she whispers, “he was huge in Germany.”

"CELEBRATING WOMEN - CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES" AND THE LAUNCH OF WISE (WOMEN INTERACTIVE SERIES)

MCYS SPEECH NO: 10/2008 DATE OF ISSUE: 20/02/2008

SPEECH BY MRS YU-FOO YEE SHOON,MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS, AT THE SEMINAR ON "CELEBRATING WOMEN - CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES" AND THE LAUNCH OF WISE (WOMEN INTERACTIVE SERIES), 20 FEBRUARY 2008, 7.00 PM AT NTUC CENTRE Mdm Halimah Yacob, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC & Director, NTUC Women’s Development Secretariat, Ms Diana Chia, Vice-Chairperson, NTUC Women’s Development Secretariat, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening, INTRODUCTION I am delighted to be here this evening for the launch of the Women Interactive Series or WISE. I congratulate the NTUC Women’s Development Secretariat and the Legal Services Department for organising this Series to educate and engage women on prevailing issues they face at various stages of their personal, working and family life. This excellent initiative serves three objectives. Firstly, for women to voice their aspirations and concerns. Secondly, for NTUC to monitor socio-economic change and trends affecting women so that it could recommend timely and appropriate measures to improve women’s well-being and employment opportunities. And thirdly, to ensure effective integration of women at all levels of decision-making in the trade union movement. NTUC hopes to reach out to at least 2,000 women through workshops and talks which will also cover provisions in the Employment Act, the Women’s Charter, the Penal Code, the Children Development Co-Savings Act, the UN Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW for short) and the ILO Convention No 100 on Equal Remuneration with its commitment on equal pay for equal work. No longer can gender be seen merely as a soft social or human rights issue. It also has economic impact. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP for short), estimated that the Asia-Pacific region is losing as much as US$ 47 billion of output per year from a lack of female labour force participation. And as much as US$ 30 billion because of the gender gaps in education systems. The theme of today’s seminar, “Celebrating Women – Challenges, Opportunities and Responsibilities” is timely because there is much for Singapore women to celebrate. Let me start off by highlighting some significant progress made by our women in recent years. PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Quality of Life Singapore women are now better educated. Our literacy rate for resident females aged 15 years and over was 93.3% in 2006, up from 89% in 2000. Women now make up half of Singapore’s student population in tertiary institutions and are well-represented in traditionally male-dominated courses such as engineering, accountancy and mathematics. More women are joining the workforce – the share of females in the labour force has increased from 50% in 2000 to 54% in 2007. 60% of single females are working while 56% of married females are working. More are climbing up the corporate ladder, in both public and private sectors. Women now make up 40% of Managers, Professionals and Technicians, up from 36% in 2000. A number of women leaders from other countries, including some from developed countries, told me that the percentage surpassed theirs. While males still dominate the business scene, female entrepreneurs have been making their mark. In October 2006, two female entrepreneurs (out of a total of 16) were awarded the Top Entrepreneur Award at the Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 - a Rotary-ASME Award ceremony. They were Mdm Annie Gan Giok Em of Jian Huang Construction Co Pte Ltd, and Ms Yvette Chiang of Rustic Nirvana Pte Ltd. In 2006, Mrs Helen Khoo of Wing Tai Retail Pte Ltd emerged as one of the three winners of the International Management Action Awards, administered by the Chartered Management Institute, Singapore and the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (Spring Singapore). The number[1] of women-only professional and business networks is growing. Of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations’ (SCWO) 53 member organisations, 16 of them cater to business and professional women. One of the more established associations, the Financial Women's Association of Singapore has seen its membership figures almost double to 400 members since 2005, following the growth in the financial industry. The wage gap between women and men has also narrowed. In 2006, women earned 86% of what the men were earning, up from 83% a decade ago. This income level gap is comparable to that of a number of developed countries in the West, although we still lagged behind countries such as Norway, France, Australia and Portugal. And in the younger age groups, some of our women are earning more than their male counterparts. Females within the age group 25 to 29 earned higher median gross wage than males in three major occupational groups, namely, managers (10.8 per cent more), professionals (6.7 percent more), and sales and service workers (31 percent more) in June 2006[2]. In politics, 24.5% or 23 out of 94 Members of Parliament are women. Prior to the 2006 General Election, 16% or 15 out of 93 elected Members of Parliament (MPs) were women. Within the civil service, 57% of senior officers in Division 1 and Superscale level are women. Our women have access to quality healthcare. The life expectancy rate for women has increased from 80.1 years in 2000 to 81.8 years in 2006. For males, life expectancy was 78 years in 2006, a difference of almost 4 years. In terms of causes of death, females registered a higher proportion in cerebrovascular disease as well as kidney and disorders of the urinary system.[3] Singapore is lagging behind in total fertility rate. The total fertility rate was 1.26 in 2006, a slight increase of 0.01 from 2005. This is low especially in comparison with Australia (1.81), France (2.0) and the Scandinavian countries – Norway 1.9, Sweden 1.85, and Denmark 1.85. Our women are also having children later. The peak age-group has moved from 25-29 years in 1996, to the age-group 30-34 years in 2006[4]. Our women also enjoy comprehensive legal protection under the law and equal civil rights. TURNING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES However, despite these achievements, challenges remain. In a world where innovative ideas, information and creativity become increasingly valuable, women can be employed in an increasing variety of jobs. And more will attain executive positions. We need to do more to increase the number of women in decision-making positions and as entrepreneurs. According to a recent study conducted by Mastercard, there is a significant gender gap in entrepreneurial activity of 8.76%. Women are also less able to sustain their business beyond 42 months – 2.5% compared to 7.49% for men. And with women now living longer than their husbands, we can expect to see an increase in the incidence of widowhood and lonely aged women. The younger women need to be prepared to take of their aged relatives. And they too need to be prudent and be financially prepared for their old age. We also need to help these women age actively. Today, there are more opportunities for skills upgrading and training to keep us up-to-date with workplace changes. This is especially important for women who want to reintegrate into the workforce. They have to upgrade relevant skills such as computer literacy and language. Companies who wish to rehire these women should have a database of employable former women employees. This will enable the companies to keep track of such employees and help them to refresh their skills and knowledge to help them re-enter the workforce. More Dual-career Couples With better education and training opportunities, we are seeing a rise in the number of dual-career couples. In 2005, dual-career couples formed 44% of married couples in Singapore, up from 41% in 2000 and 27% in 1980[5]. Their average monthly income was $7,600, twice the income of sole-career couples where only one person, usually the husband, was working. Interestingly, the wives were also contributing an increasingly bigger share to the family income. The average income share of working wives among dual-career couples increased from 42% in 2000 to 44% in 2005. Among all dual-career couples in 2005, 35% obtained at least half of their combined income from wives’ earnings. This shows the importance of the working wives’ contribution to the family income. With more women in the workforce, we need to work toward providing even more accessible, affordable and quality family-friendly support services such as child care and elder care services to help women transit more smoothly from and into the work force. The Tripartite Workgroup on Enhancing Employment Choices for Women, chaired by Mdm Halimah, will be coming up with recommendations to further enable and empower women to make viable work options which harmonise their personal, family and work commitments. The preliminary findings of a 2007 survey of 3,000 (Singapore Citizens and PRs) baby boomers in Singapore, showed that about 30% of female respondents had never worked before. This could affect their financial situation in their old age. The study also indicated that 42% of economically active female Singapore citizens and 50% of economically active female PRs preferred to work during their post-retirement years, either on a part-time or flexi-time basis. While the key reason cited was to receive an income, the respondents also indicated their wish to keep active and to do something meaningful and stay connected. More details on this study will be released later. Skills Training I encourage women to learn new skills continuously so that we can stay relevant in this fast changing knowledge-based economy. Let me share with you what a lady in my constituency is doing to improve her family’s financial situation. Mdm Wong Siew Buay used to distribute newspapers every morning and collect cardboard in her free time. She earns about $290 per month to supplement her husband’s variable income of $950 a month. With their household income of about $1,200, they support four school-going children. Mdm Wong decided to enrol in a Certificate in Business Administration last October. The PSB course is held twice weekly, from 7-10pm and she is sponsored by CDAC. Mdm Wong will graduate in Nov 2008 and she looks forward to becoming an Administrative Assistant, with an expected monthly income of $900 to $1,000. This will double their current household income. Mdm Wong’s family is supportive of her studies. Her perseverance in improving herself is an inspiration to us. It is an example of the important role women play in enhancing the family’s financial security and in fostering self-reliance. The Women’s Register With more women returning to work, there is also a need to ensure that women are given more avenues to take on leadership positions, where they can make the most impact. This evening, I am pleased to release the latest updates on the number, profile and outcome of the Women’s Register, which is a bold initiative by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations with the support of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. Launched on International Women’s Day in March last year, the Register is an online database resource aimed at increasing the level of female representation in leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. There were 306 registrants as at 31 December 2007 and 27 corporate users. 4% of the registrants have PhDs, 28% with Master’s degrees, 44% bachelor’s degrees and 11% are diploma holders. In terms of occupation, 42% of the 306 registrants are managers, 18% executives, 3% doctors, 7% entrepreneurs, 14% trainers/teachers. The impressive educational and occupational profile reflects the talent pool which the public, private and people sectors can tap for committees and boards. To date, more than 20% of the corporate users have tapped the register to identify women leaders to become mentors and board members. I understand that more than 80 Register members have volunteered their services for the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) Hotline. The SCWO and the Singapore Institute of Directors are also exploring opportunities to include suitable registrants on boards. This is cause for celebration because the increase in the number of talented women on executive committees and boards bodes well for women’s progress and leadership. CONCLUSION We recognise that there is no one best way for women to lead their lives. Each and every one of us has a choice to make for ourselves, whether it is in the workplace or at home – as wives, mothers, daughters, workers, or leaders. What is important is that we are equipped with the right skills and mindset to ensure that we are well-placed to cope with the challenges and remain as active, healthy members of society. For ultimately, when women have the opportunity to be the best that they can be, our families, our community and our nation will flourish. It now gives me great pleasure to launch WISE - the Women Interactive Series. I wish all of you a fruitful evening of learning and sharing. Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] "Women-only business and professional networks sprout", 26 Nov 2007, www.straitstimes.com [2] Source: Report on Wages in Singapore 2006, released in June 2007. [3] Source: Report on Registration of Births and Deaths 2006 [4] Source: Population Trends 2007 [5] Source: "Trends in Dual-Career Couples, 2005". Singapore Department of Statistics, December 2006.