The AWARE Brouhaha - A personal view and a PSA

If you have not heard about the ugly news surrounding AWARE lately, this post sums describes the first signs of the women's advocacy group subject to a leadership hijacking. I first got to know about it via Yawning Bread's post, and right after reading it my appetite for dinner was quickly replaced by outrage. I have always had great respect for the work AWARE does, and over 25 years they have established themselves as a logical, reasonable and sensible voice for women in Singapore. They also run a comprehensive sex education program for young women, something that the Ministry of Education has either struggled to do or never tackled correctly. They provide counseling for abused women. They represent what is right for women in Singapore, and most women in Singapore are not even aware of their existence.

And now, instead of a group of women committed to advocating gender equality in an inclusive and secular manner, we have a group of self-righteous homophobes forcing their way into power and ready to avocate a brand of equality that was so intimately explored by George Orwell in the classic "Animal Farm".

AWARE has always been about being inclusive. They know that arguing for equality is moot if they cannot even accept equality among women, and they're right. The "new guard" forced their way into power through clever maneuvering. There is nothing technically wrong, or illegal, about their coup. But there is a distinct lack of integrity and honour about it. If this had happened to a political party I would have applauded the deviously Machiavellian move, right out of a Hollywood movie. But a movie this isn't; we are talking about a group that has done a lot of good for Singaporean women. A group of women with integrity.

And that's what makes this affair even more disgusting. Nothing pisses me off more than a lack of integrity. It is indefensible, inexcusable, and unforgivable in my book.

Much has been said about how to protest this turn of events. Mr Wang has made an excellent suggestion here, which resonates with me because of how he views integrity. Since even DBS is distancing themselves from the antics of Josie Lau, it will hit them where it hurts most. I also encourage all Singaporean women who are concerned with this to register with AWARE and vote in the upcoming EGM on May 2nd. You can keep up with the latest news as well as find more information on We-Are-AWARE.sg.

And to do my part, I'm putting up my views on Facebook and Twitter, as well as making a public service announcement here. This came by way of @missybossy, and I hope that Singaporeans, not just the women, quickly understand what is at stake here.

"Hi all, www.we-are-aware.sg is a site set up by the old guards of AWARE.

There seems to be lot of support in cyberspace, but we dont know how many of those voices will be attending the EGM.

It would be great if all of you who are intending to come to the EGM and supporting the old guards could register on www.we-are-aware.sg, so that we can keep you informed of what to expect at the EGM, dos and don'ts/ etc. It will also help us plan and organise the logistics for the day, and to make sure that the event goes as smoothly as can be expected under these circumstances.

From our viewpoint, what is really at stake is the space for a diversity of views in our cosmopolitan, pluralistic, multiracial, multireligious and multicultural society. The continuance of an all-inclusive and secular AWARE depends on YOUR VOTE.

We hope that you will make the time to attend the EGM and vote for the old Guards."

May inclusiveness and open-mindedness triumph over illogical, religious zealotry and bigotry.

Posted via email from trapper's posterous