What this govt doing, allowing such "boliao" interest
group?
If these women really, if I mean really, meant well by
helping the underprivileged, they should explicitly called
themselves "Women for lowered income, abused, uneducated,
underprivileged" or something like that.
What the fark "action and research" they talking about? These words
already sound so elitist. And helping the lower rung?.....smoking
who?.
Hi, I have been
reading some of the posts from this thread. I am just replying to
4sg’s post out of convenience (so no offense ok, 4sg?) and feel
that I should clarify some points about Aware that has been raised
by others too.
I am an old Aware
member (so sad, now I have to state old or new Aware). Aware is a
registered society but it is NOT a charity. It is an advocacy
group. This means that its aim is to improve society by advocating
changes in law. While doing charity work and giving donations are
very valuable, at the same time, law changes can be very powerful
agents of change and improvement. Aware pitches at this angle and
level.
Aware stands for
Association of Women for Action and Research. I know to some people
it sounds a bit “cheem” but what this means is that Aware conducts
research, collects data and take action by lobbying for changes in
law. 3 ex-Presidents of Aware have been appointed Nominated Members
of Paliament – Kanwaijit Soin, Claire Chiang and Breama Mathi and
have spoken up for women in Parliament.
Many who do not
follow Aware closely may not know that it has successfully lobbied
for law changes to benefit our women and children. For
eg:
1987 – the
government wanted to give priority of primary school admission to
children of graduate women. Aware, eventhough it has many members
who are graduates, opposed this as it
felt that the children of all women deserve equal rights and
opportunities. The Education Ministry eventually withdraw their
proposal.
1994 – Aware
proposed successfully for a change to the way police handle rape
cases so that victims are treated with more dignity and
care
1999 – Prior to
this, only Singaporean men who married foreigners can sponsor their
spouse's application for PR and citizenship, not Singaporean women.
Aware helped changed that. Subsequently in 2004, Aware again
lobbied successfully so that Singaporean women (and not just
Singaporean men) who married foreigners can apply for Singapore
citizenship for their children. If you have women friends, sisters
and daughters in this situation, you would appreciate
this.
2003 – Aware
contributed to the policy change in lifting the quota restricting
female intake in the Medical Faculty at NUS so that entry is based
on merit.
2005- Aware also
contributed to the equalisation of benefits in the medical scheme
in the Civil Service for male and female officers. If you have
mothers, sisters and wives in the civil service, you would
appreciate this too.
More can be found
at http://we-are-aware.sg/achievements
So, Aware not so
“bo-liao” leh, haha! While charity work
has its rightful place in society, and giving someone fish for a
day is important, it is just as important to teach someone to fish.
That is why for a number of years, Aware has been conducting
financial literacy classes for women to help them better manage
their finances and plan for retirement. The truth is women
generally outlive men, and many women are at a loss when their
spouse dies and they are left
penniless. So part of Aware’s active programme is also about
empowering women, because women who are independent and empowered
will be in a better position to help not only themselves but other
people in society.
It is true that some
people have wondered what does a bunch of educated, privileged
women at Aware can do for underprivileged women. But I think we
should also remember that there are many rich and powerful people
other charities who are active in raising funds and doing charity
too eg Jenny Chua, the ex-GM of Raffles Hotel has been a long-time
volunteer and Chairwoman of Community Chest. My personal opinion is
that only when our bellies are full then we can afford time to look
around and see what we can do to help (what some people call
kaypoh, hehe). So maybe, the more educated and privileged women in
society have more resources to contribute.
Actually, the old
Aware leaders are aware of this accusation. Mindful of this, (not
because they want to deflect criticism) they decided to set up a
helpline in 1991 to help women in crisis and to better understand
what women of all walks of life go through. This helpline not only
gives emotional support, but also acts as a referral to other
sources of help available eg financial assistance or legal aid.
Aware also employs a full-time professional counselor who conducts
face-to-face counseling. The charges are nominal, based on a
sliding scale depending on the woman’s financial
ability.
In addition, Aware
also provides a free legal clinic once a month, managed by
volunteer lawyers, so that women can seek legal advise and explore
their options.
Aware members are
not men haters! Aware believes that men and women are just as
important. That is why, in the last few years, men have been
admitted as members so that they can give feedback and be engaged
as agents of positive change.
I hope this explains
a bit better what the old Aware has been up to. They may not
directly give charity to “help the lower rung” but they do help
improve women's lives and consequently their children's lives
- by advocating changes in law, to eliminate abuse and to ask for
equal rights.
I am just sorry that
at this time of writing, Aware is going through a very difficult
time. As an old Aware member, I really hope to see Aware’s good
work and inclusive stance continue.
Thanks for
reading.
