Last week, immediate past-president of AWARE and three time president, Constance Singam resigned her position as AWARE adviser. In a letter to Aware members, she stated that she is “unable to support, participate, in or sanction the new approach” of the new committee.
We publish the letter below.
AWARE will be holding an EGM to conduct a vote of no-confidence in the new executive committee on May 2. Those interested in becoming members can sign up here.
Dear AWARE member,
These past few weeks have been difficult for me, as you can imagine. You all know of my long-term commitment to AWARE and AWARE’s objectives. In AWARE we have created a space where everyone is welcome; where everyone is respected whatever their choice in life; where I have made life-long friends. But I find myself unable to support, participate in or sanction the new approach of the 2009 Executive Committee of AWARE. I have therefore submitted my resignation from the EXCO as Immediate Past President.
I am writing this email to explain to the AWARE members whose email addresses I have in my personal computer why I have resigned from the EXCO.
The AWARE Constitution states that the immediate past president shall be on the EXCO as an adviser. Members of the 2009 EXCO referred to me as a ‘rock’ and ‘the foundation’, and a source of continuity and point of reference to AWARE’s history and culture. But at the first two meetings of the 2009 EXCO, when I offered my advice on a number of issues it was ignored.
I was particularly unhappy that my advice on the subcommittee chairs was totally disregarded. When the EXCO proposed to replace all subcommittee chairs with EXCO members, I protested and said it was AWARE’s long-standing practice to give more women, especially young women, the opportunity to acquire leadership skills and empowering them through experiences in sub-committee work. I reminded them that the coordinators have been working on these issues for some time and that summarily replacing them would be disrespectful and counter-productive. But EXCO ignored my advice.
The removal of the chair of the CEDAW Committee, Braema Mathi, is especially disturbing as Braema is the Singapore expert on CEDAW. Her work on CEDAW is respected internationally and there is arguably no better person in Singapore to lead the effort to produce the CEDAW shadow report. Yet, she was dismissed summarily without any stated reasons or even a simple thank you.
I am also very concerned about the possible ideological opposition of many members of the 2009 Executive Committee to AWARE’s historic fundamental values. The possible opposition to these values, or at least a lack of understanding of them, was obvious at the AGM when these new members failed to affirm Aware’s values. Several times those who were standing for election were asked to declare their understanding of feminism and the objectives of AWARE. The responses were, at best, non-committal.
Our values, which are the essence of this organization, are based on the fundamental rights and responsibilities of women as women. These include being treated as informed individuals capable of choice; being deserving of opportunities equal to those of men in education, marriage and employment; and being able to control their own bodies, particularly with regard to sexual and reproductive health. Upholding and promoting these values is at the core of AWARE, and I expect
members who want to serve on the EXCO, particularly as office bearers, to understand and support this.
What the EXCO said in the press release issued on 15th April was a sharp contrast to the behavior of many of its members at our internal EXCO meetings. In their public statement the EXCO said: “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.” But in private meetings the EXCO showed a complete lack of respect for me, ignoring my advice and even keeping me out of an EXCO meeting when I had the right to be there as stated in the constitution.
News coming to light each day adds to my concern about the intentions and ability of the EXCO to lead AWARE. I was shocked to read the statements made by DBS in the last two days about the conduct of the new AWARE president, Josie Lau. DBS said – “We are disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice. Such an attitude is not one that DBS, or any other organisation, can condone in a leader.” AWARE certainly should not.
I was even more concerned by the reports that Josie led the marketing team in DBS’s credit card campaign last year which supported the evangelical Christian organisation Focus on The Family. And this morning I discover in the media that Josie, Charlotte, Jenica, Maureen, Sally and Irene apparently attend the same church. AWARE is a secular organisation that embraces diversity of race, age, religion, culture and sexuality, and it must remain so. I am not at all confident that the current EXCO intends to ensure this.
Though I am resigning from the EXCO I remain committed to AWARE and its work, and I hope you will too. AWARE’s values and its work over the last 25 years are important for Singapore and we must do all we can to ensure it continues to be a voice for women in Singapore and a champion of diversity, tolerance and transparency.
Yours sincerely,
Constance Singam
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#30) smallvice,
Perhaps you’re right. Make sense to me.
Still, we cannot deny the fact that our decision-making process will somehow be influenced by our various social, political and environmental inclinations.
You do realise that we can never be totally secular. Not here in Singapore, not anywhere in the world. There will always be a mixture of ethnic, racial, political and religious influences, therefore, pluralism, whether we like it or not.
You will agree with me that decisions like having the IR and legalizing Euthanasia are but two examples of how religions play their parts in debunking secularism.
Being pluralistic, and even allowing ourselves to be influenced by our beliefs, we can however still take into consideration the bigger picture, and make compromises where necessary. A secular society may adopt a no-compromise stand which invariably will go on to offend those who oppose.
Please corrrect me if I am wrong.
disbelief.. wow.. you’re not gay are you?
it doesn’t matter because I think gays are cool but seriously, this AWARE saga is a joke and each day, the old team seems to be a little more desperate, a little more sore and running high on emotions.
I read today’s paper that the Josie lady had come to clarify that AWARE is a secular organization and it will not have a religious agenda attached to it but she wants to push for more depth. The current team kept quiet during this period because they do not want to say the wrong this and watch before they act.. that’s a sign of maturity.
This Josie lady has guts and intelligence. But then again, let’s wait for more to come.
Have patience.. don’t make your judgment so fast. As I’ve said, ST cannot be trusted on the accuracy of their reports.; more needs to be heard and seen.
Hmm.. maybe the guys should form an organization AMEN to help push for gender equality in Singapore. I think we men are being marginalized…
Go Constance go!
Sure you were blindsided once, but now that you know how the enemy operates, its time to cut the head off the dragon.
Here’s a scene from “The Untouchables” for inspiration :
You want to know how to get Capone? He pulls out a knife, you pull out a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue! That’s how you get him!
Go get them! Get your Capone…
LOL AMEN. Association of Men Easily Neutured
Good one Josh! Ha! Ha! Ha!
I want to join, where to register?
AWARE stands for Association of Woman for ACTION and Research.
When asked Josie simple question about her view on women being discriminated in work because of sexuality. We were all puzzled to see her being too quiet and than suddently shun it off as controversial topic. If a woman cannot protect another woman’s basic rights in society, than how can she represent woman in the society at large?
Obviously she has no solution, no inclusive agenda, and do not believe in most of the things & system from the old guards who have spend decades building up the harmonious association.
She and her gangs joined office briefly and than stormed AWARE with only one belief, wipe out the old and their systems, bring in the same gang from the church and took the leaves from there to run AWARE. When questioned such motive, she appeared lost, and simply brushed off the bad image as “last man standing” without concrete agenda. Without concrete agenda and still want to be in control?
How can such exteme fundamentalist be representative of women in the group made of different profile, background, races and religion & belief? Is she also trying to exclude transgender and lesbian because their church believes these people have no place in society?
Another lie she spewed on national media was that everyone must agree to disagree and move forward. Having said that, has she and her team, where they came from, agree with gay and lesbian’s strong disagreement of their view about gay and lesbian rights in society though many of them (elite and non elite) have contributed equal effort to built Singapore? If she cannot harness an inclusive society and believe people who go against their belief are evil, than she & teams are just apt to remain in her church and work her cause from there instead of damaging AWARE’s long built reputation to be an inclusive society.
AWARE needs to be diversified, rather than consolidate, because the environment and the people kept changing. The world will not stop for you to remain focus (in dept) and than realized what your new team pursue becomes outdated. Using corporation consolidating business as analogy to bring its concept into AWARE is a very naïve excuses. Why than doesn’t our govt consolidate one single bill, to stop protestors, instead of having so many bills and Acts in place to control the media, the street protest and gathering, the film act…etc
It appears more frightening when she has new agenda called “winds under wings” to groom young woman into leadership. It may seems that there is potential of grooming these group of “juvenile” to become another fundamentalist like them too?
By not saying the obvious openly does not mean such speculation does not exist.
Singapore has painstakingly built a cohesive, inclusive and equal society for all and if this new woman group cannot be pro to the fundamental of a harmonious society, than Josie and her team have to be ousted before our country become divided again between religion, sexuality, and among women. The first impression, in many people eyes, about the orchestrated takeover of old guard in an “unhealthy manner” is appalling.
Germami, you need to be neutured first.
Never mind, neutered or neutral, I am not fighting, I am easy. I just want to be part of an association for men. So you see, I have 3 of the criteria out of four (I am looking to join an association. I am a man. And I am easy. I can replace the last criterion and be neutral).
From the various comments by the old guards, it seems that if the new exco were to issue a statement to say that “we support gays and lesbians”, all is forgiven.
So, let’s just call a spade a spade. The old guards are pro-homosexuality and the new exco are not for it.
The issue is clear – let’s vote !
David posted:
>>When asked Josie simple question about her view on women being discriminated in work because of sexuality. We were all puzzled to see her being too quiet and than suddently shun it off as controversial topic. If a woman cannot protect another woman’s basic rights in society, than how can she represent woman in the society at large?
>>
Let me take this discussion to another level. What if a woman is discriminated in work because of her religion? What if she is asked to take off her Muslim headscarf or her crucifix?
What is AWARE’s stand on the above? There are many companies who disallow religious dress – the headscarf being the main target.
My point here is why must non-discrimination of sexuality be the central issue for AWARE, when there is already discrimination against women because of their religion – yet no one seems to be saying AWARE must look after these women.
So is there really not a gay agenda behind the EOGM? If there isn’t, why only talk about equal treatment for sexuality but no talk of equal treatment for religion?
Democracy usually works. However some basic assumptions include an informed and legitimate electorate. This ensures that decisions made are in the best interests of the organization.
In this case, ELECTION ENGINEERING occurred- this is not democracy in action! The Old Guard are NOT being sore losers for contesting the results in an EOGM. They were swamped by an electorate with little stake in the organization, and thus questionable intentions for its well being.
There is reason to be concerned with the religious issue here. HAD they been all-christian, but hailed from various churches, I would be less wary. However, they seem to have come from COOS, a known homophobic church (various banners with overt “pray the gay away” tones often hang outside it), led by pastor Derek Fong, who’s quite homophobic, to say the least. There is thus legitimate cause to be concerned specifically about the issue of gender orientation in this issue, as AWARE HAS to remain an INCLUSIVE organization.
I’m straight as a flagpole (arrows are nice and flexy so I won’t use that metaphor here), let me be clear. However I believe in equality and choice for all. I’m not pro gay (I do NOT condone same-sex marriage and less so same-sex adoption) but I’m strongly anti-homophobia.
13)Nicky
“…both pro-gay and anti-gays!’”
The fact that you only see 2 sides is revealing. I don’t know about others, but I am just anti-anti-gay, which is not necessarily pro-gay. Pro-gay has an active connotation that does not apply to me.
e.g I can’t be bothered to attend any gay parade if any, but I would speak out if people try to impose their values on others.
It’s the same story about when They came for Jews, and I didn’t speak because I am not a Jew. In the end, when They came for me, no one else to speak for me. Hence I WILL speak out when They go for anyone.
Move on , Singam. Get your old committee members to form another advocacy group with rights of gay and lesbians as core mission and vision. If you cannot craft these statements let me help you. If you are not fussy about Engrish they should read like this.
MISSION.
Because of our 24 years’ of repeated experience and not much has been done to improve the well being of the single mothers and to eliminate poverty of abandoned old women we have decided to shift our focus to another group of people whose gender is confusing and we aim to find them a place to rehabilitate them and turn them into ‘women’ or ‘men” and the place is in our association.
VISION
We hope that our work will be recognised and that society will accept them as the fellow third gender.The long term goal is show that ‘men’ and ‘women’ can switch roles at a flick and so to bring about an equality of the ‘sexes.’ which in fact there is only one sex.
My advice to Constance Singam: Leave graciously. You’ve lost. Don’t lose more of your dignity and respect because every time you open you mouth, you spew and vomit rubbish!
60) Baggage –
I am straight, I vote for the new exco.
Aware should be for the promotion of our women welfare and not for the homosexual lifestyle promotion…
Religion got no place in TOC!
The phrase “pro-homosexuality” makes no sense to me. The opposite of “anti-gay” is not “pro-gay”. Promoting a lifestyle and accepting a lifestyle are two entirely different things. I don’t recall any AWARE campaigns directed at the conversion of straight people into homosexuals.
This in essence is what bugs me about the new EXCO, The choice we are facing here is not between Gays and Christians or even between two opposing points of view. We are facing a choice between diversity of thought and homogeneity. I think we all know which of these values Singapore society is based on.
If the new members truly respected the diverse opinions of womankind, they would have been content to represent like minded women amongst their constituents. Instead, they have sought to dominate by the systematic expulsion and exclusion of those not deemed to be part of their club.
How can these people represent women when they have not even understood that “Woman” is a term that encompasses so much? There are many different types of women, with differing and sometimes conflicting wants. If the new members were truly committed to representing the entire female population of Singapore, the responsible thing would have been to say “Oh dear, it seems like too many of us with the same fundamental beliefs have been voted in. We fear that this will diminish our capacity to accurately represent and respond to the needs of Singaporean women. Therefore, some of us will step down and leave space for other representatives whose views we might not agree with.” That would have been in the best interests of Aware and more importantly, women of our country.
Before any of you say, “Oh, AN, you idealist nutjob! Nobility like that is unheard of in politics! It’s a dirty game!” and allude to PAP victories and a weak opposition, allow me to humbly remind you that this is not a political party we’re talking about. This is an organisation dedicated to the betterment of the lives of women – a cause to which there should not conceivably be any opposition.
If the PAP wins an election because the opposition representatives weren’t strong enough to hold their own, then too bad – the opposition’s lost. If a bunch of blinkered neophytes who are afraid of conflicting viewpoints wins an election, ousting capable, experienced and open-minded individuals – everyone’s lost. This isn’t party politics.
To Aware and the women of Singapore: I would like to personally apologise for my role in this mess. I have always considered myself to be a feminist and someone who is politically aware and socially conscious. However, I never saw the importance of actually committing to a cause. I was not a member of Aware until two days ago. Perhaps, if I had been a member during the elections, my small voice would have made a difference. I’ve learnt my lesson. I have been rudely shaken out of my apathy or rather, it has been shaken out of me!
“Baggage” – don’t you think you’re over-simplying the issue? It’s about AWARE’s platform of being inclusive, irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexuality. This whole saga exploded only because some members from the same church (one would have to be very naive to think they didn’t know each other) decided to “hijack” the Exco and swiftly replaced the chairs of the sub-committees – this is not just a gay and lesbian vs church issue, it’s about a respected NGO being hijacked for a hidden agenda.
I think I’m gonna join this church these women are part of, since they apparently support a subservient role for women. I like my women subservient. :)
52) WeC on April 20th, 2009 11.07 am
“I read today’s paper that the Josie lady had come to clarify that AWARE is a secular organization and it will not have a religious agenda attached to it but she wants to push for more depth.”
An organization is an organization is an oganization. It is the people who give it life, be it secular or otherwise if it is really so as preached. Orelse, it is just an empty shell. Like in any other organization, the culture will be influenced by the most dominant person / group of persons. The public announcement is only good to please the ears.
Ultimately, action is more important and in real life, time will erase short term memory and loss of momentum when the heat is still hot.
“Hmm.. maybe the guys should form an organization AMEN to help push for gender equality in Singapore. I think we men are being marginalized…”
Men do not usually need to form similar organization as they are predisposed not to display too much of this touchy-feely stuff – this is the nature of men. They just manifest in ways that need not have to be brought up here.
who is responsible for all the mess here?
Surely being Christians do not disqualify one from taking office?Surely they belong to
the same church does not matter. How many of the old exco members share common interest like playing bridge, shopping, belong to the same club etc etc?
Do we need to find out more??
Well i like to believe that there are misinformed and misguided Christians out there. In fact there was a statement which said that the no.1 cause of atheism today is that Christians go to church and walk out the door behaving in a totally different way.
But this leaves us to question why people embrace and adopt certain faiths? It is the basic notion of choice. But ultimately one cannot deny that any religion for that matter encourages one to be a better person and bring goodness to the society.
For that, i have to applaud the churches, mosques and temples for their charitable work in reaching out to the poor and homeless in their various neighborhoods.
Vis a vis Christianity and AWARE, perhaps the members truly want to do good to the society via the channel of AWARE and not so much come in opposition of homosexuality.
There are always 2 sides of the coin and my interpretation of the previous president’s email justifying her resignation depicts alot of bitterness. Perhaps this is a ploy by using Christianity and homosexuality to rally support for a no confidence motion?
Its strange how people use sensationalized themes to gain support. Scary.
think many contributors on this TOC forums should be charged for seditions and defamation – its amazing….. I think we will have more fun when the ‘clean up’ team comes…. Would suggest all contributors please watch out your language and what you guys say.
Its DEGENERATING…..
Now women are all so different…maybe men must kawtoy to them now.
My past 5 bosses are all women and they all have a point to prove – maybe they feel insecure?
I am betetr with guy bosses – maybe they are secure and less cheong than women.
As for Aware, maybe the change of guard is a good thing for the organisation – it is always good to have something or someone new to change some gear.
This may not be all bad for the women organisation.
Let us be positive here.
When your time is up, please go.
To 60#
You got the point wrong. The old guards agenda is simple, they do not want the new guard to make enemy with certain sector of the populations and damage AWARE image of being an inclusive NGO. COOS, where the new exco members came from, to a certain extend is already damaged by their own biased and judgemental speech to break up the fabric of our society, and nobody want AWARE to be dragged into similar status and the unsaid ulterior motive by these new women who seem having no other places to go to forward their discriminative “causes”.
You look at the background of these women. Well educated high income earners. They are what they are thanks to the women’s right movement & AWARE contributions to our society. Here they are their life defined by their religion. I’m not saying religion is not good. But please don’t hijack an organization & its agenda & changed it to suit their own religious beliefs.
First it’s about gays & lesbians. Then it’s abortion right. Then it’s womens’ voting right, on & on……
I’m worried our society would become like USA. My rights being eroded again & again…
this is not a gay vs christian debate, the bigger issue here is women’s rights. what is the new exco’s stand on abortion, and a women’s right to choice on reproductive health?
There’s a lot of noise from the new faction about how wonderful and great it is that democracy works, about how the system allows the new guard to challenge the leadership of the old guard fair and square.
I’d like to see how many of them are still saying the same thing if the newly formed EXCO gets voted out on May 2nd.
To Gemami at #26
I don’t think there is a contradiction.
She is saying that she and her committee have always been inclusive.
She then implies that she believes the new committee will not be equally inclusive to all sections of society and therefore she finds herself unable to support them.
She does not say that if she was still in charge, the new faction would not have a place in the organization, as representing one of many views.
There is a difference.
So what do Christian fundamentalists have to say on Single Mothers and Illegitimate Children?
I am baffled at how some people still think that if homosexuality was not promoted, there would be a rise in married couples and that would lead to a rise in the number of birthds in Singapore.
If you really bother to know, to get your facts straight and you won’t end up looking so ridiculous in the eyes of others.
Crocodile tears.
Buayas on the prowls
Looking for fresh meat
15) Peace on April 20th, 2009 12.49 am
The old committee was unfocused. They strayed into non women issues. What has gay got to do with a women organisation?
Can you give us some example of AWARE under previous leadership strayed into gay issue?
Read in TODAY that death threat received by ExCo member. Check it out at
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/315756.asp
The police is now involved , is now involved. Those who are making baseless attacks on the new Exco especially on religion better think again and be prepared to be questioned
2 cents worth.
from an outsider point of view.. the “old guard” has resort to name calling..
quoting “DBS” which is her “private” affairs to attack her..
saying from same church cannot..
Our cabine a lot from RI .. so all cannot? all have to resign??
Use ur ideals and policies to win back the position.. Dont use all these dirty tactics.. I see liao also cannot take it lah..
from
phua choo kang. 2 cents worth of man’s view
If she continues her ways, when do you think she will start terminating gay, or perhaps eventually, non-christian credit card holders of DBS?
And this church that she goes to…. Gosh… what do they preach to their members??!! … guess the most sensible and safest guideline would be … OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
Dear Moderators,
Oops, not sure if my comments are considered as “acts of attack” as they are just my sentiments after reading this article.
Do remove it if you feel it is, don’t wish to encourage public sympathy for her.
Thank you and have a good day. :)
AMEN. Association of Men Easily Neutured
Instead of AMEN we can form another one called RAMEN.
Lets have the Church of the Flying Sphagetti Monster be the one spearheading our EXCO.