You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 18.212.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪Blablubbs‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider or colocation provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts and colocation providers may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host or colocation provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a colocation provider's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a colocation web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host or colocation provider (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host or colocation provider.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and requests should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 08:38, 2 March 2025.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
This IP address range has been globally blocked.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

This block affects editing on all Wikimedia wikis.
The IP address or range 18.212.0.0/16 has been globally blocked (disabled) by ‪AntiCompositeNumber‬ for the following reason(s):

Open proxy/Webhost: Visit the FAQ if you are affected

This block will expire on 01:07, 16 July 2026.

Even while globally blocked, you will usually still be able to edit pages on Meta-Wiki.

If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

Other useful links: Global blocks · Help:I have been blocked

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((Other uses|Aware (disambiguation)))
((COI|date=December 2018))
((Cleanup|date=April 2024|reason=This article needs to be made more cohesive.))((short description|Singaporean not-for-profit organisation))
((Infobox organization
|name            =  Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
|image           = 
|caption         = 
|map             = 
|map_size        = <!-- map size, optional, default 250px -->
|map_alt         = <!-- map alt text -->
|map_caption     = 
|map2            = 
|type            = Non-profit, Non-governmental organisation
|tax_id          = 
|registration_id =
|founded         = ((Start date|df=y|1985|11|25))
|founder         = 
|dissolved       = <!-- ((End date|df=y|YYYY|MM|DD)) -->
|merged          = 
|successor       = 
|location        = Block 5, Dover Crescent, #01-22, Singapore
|addnl_location  = 
|coordinates     = ((Coord|1.30432|103.78227|format=dms|display=inline,title))
|origins         =
|key_people      = Corinna Lim, Executive Director
|area_served     = Singapore
|products        = 
|services        = 
|focus           = [[Gender Equality]]
|method          = 
|revenue         = 
|disbursed       = 
|expenses        = 
|endowment       = 
|num_volunteers  = 
|num_employees   = 
|num_members     = 
|affiliations    = 
|subsid          = 
|owner           = 
|motto           = 
|homepage        = ((Official website))
|footnotes       =
))The '''Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)''' is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for gender equality and provides critical support services for women in Singapore. It is a registered charity with Institute of Public Character status.<ref name=":0">[http://www.aware.org.sg/about/ Official Website] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123143107/http://www.aware.org.sg/about/ |date=23 January 2014 )). ''AWARE''. 2018.</ref>

AWARE believes in the rights of women and men to make informed and responsible choices about their lives and to have equal opportunities in education, marriage and employment, and in the right of women to control their own bodies, particularly with regard to sexual and reproductive rights.<ref name=":0" />

== Founding years ==
AWARE was formed in 1985 following a forum held by the National University of Singapore Society in November 1984. The forum, which was called "Women's Choices, Women's Lives", was organised by Zaibun Siraj, daughter of Mrs Mohamed Sirah, and Dr Vivienne Wee.<ref name=":1">((Cite web|url=http://www.womensaction.sg|title=Women Action's Website|last=AWARE|year=2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422034257/http://www.womensaction.sg/|archive-date=22 April 2018|url-status=live))</ref> Women from various professional backgrounds attended the forum. Speakers included orthopaedic surgeon Dr [[Kanwaljit Soin]], director of the National Library Hedwig Anuar and deputy Sunday editor of the ''Singapore Monitor'', Margaret Thomas.<ref name=":1" />

Participants of the forum were unhappy with the government's rhetoric at the time, along with its introduction of controversial family and population policies. They were especially affected by how women were being singled out as being responsible for the falling fertility rate.<ref name=":1" />

Following the forum, it was felt that there was a need for an organisation that would specifically focus on improving women's social and legal status in Singapore. Other women's groups were mostly social or welfare groups which did not engage in advocacy work. According to Siraj, these groups were not particularly seeking to change the status of women in society at the time.<ref>Siraj, Khatijun Nissa and Zaibun Siraj. Interview with Kirsten Han, 24 February 2015.</ref>

AWARE was launched after a year of discussion, during which the organisation's structure was defined and its constitution written.<ref name=":1" />

==Philosophy==
===Vision===
AWARE seeks to help create a society where there is true gender equality – where women and men are valued as individuals free to make informed and responsible choices about their lives.<ref name=":2">((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/7APR-AR2016-WebVersion.compressed.pdf|title=Annual Report|year=2016|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015090212/http://www.aware.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/7APR-AR2016-WebVersion.compressed.pdf|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=live))</ref>

===Mission===
AWARE seeks to remove all gender-based barriers so as to allow individuals in Singapore to develop their potential to the fullest and realise their personal visions and hopes.<ref name=":2" />

=== Values ===

** AWARE embraces diversity, and promotes understanding and acceptance of diversity.
** AWARE respects the individual and the choices she makes in life, and supports her when needed.
** AWARE recognises the human rights of all, regardless of gender, so that everyone can realise their aspirations.

==AWARE's services==
=== Women's Care Centre and Sexual Assault Care Centre ===
AWARE's Women's Care Centre provides information and support for women who are in distress or at a time of uncertainty in their lives.<ref>[http://www.aware.org.sg/about/ Official Website] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123143107/http://www.aware.org.sg/about/|date=23 January 2014)). ''AWARE.'' 2018.</ref>

The Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) provides free services to those who have experienced sexual assault and harassment, helping them deal with their experiences and make decisions about their next steps.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://sacc.aware.org.sg|title=Sexual Assault Care Centre Website|date=2018|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123734/http://sacc.aware.org.sg/|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> The Centre oversees sexual assault and harassment cases, providing counselling, legal information and befriender services to survivors.<ref name="SACC">((Cite web|url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/aware-launches-crowd-funding-campaign-sexual-assault-care-centre|title=Aware launches crowd-funding campaign for Sexual Assault Care Centre|date=25 August 2014|website=AsiaOne))</ref>

Both the Women's Care Centre and Sexual Assault Care Centre offer experienced counsellors to help women resolve a life crisis, deal with a painful past, adjust to changed circumstances or seek out new directions.<ref name=":4">((Cite web|url=http://sacc.aware.org.sg|title=Sexual Assault Care Centre Website|year=2018|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123734/http://sacc.aware.org.sg/|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

In 2014, the SACC launched a crowd-funding campaign which is supported by local artistes such as [[Zoe Tay]] and [[Judee Tan]].<ref name="SACC" />

=== Women's Helpline ===

AWARE runs Singapore's only specialised hotline catered to women. The organisation's Helpline helps callers with a variety of concerns, and offers empathy, support, information and encouragement.<ref name=":5" /> Clients may also make an appointment to speak to a counsellor or lawyer. These calls and cases are kept strictly confidential.

===Outreach===

AWARE held an intensive five-month training programme for English-speaking Helpliners to equip them with knowledge on dealing with domestic violence, marital problems, mental health and LGBTQ matters.<ref name=":2" />

From March 2018, the Helpline and Befriender services were made available in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin.<ref name=":5">((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-wants-to-extend-its-social-support|title=Aware wants to extend its social support|last=Toh|first=Wen Li|date=9 September 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123754/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-wants-to-extend-its-social-support|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

The organisation has also expanded its knowledge of Syariah law in order to better support Muslim women.<ref name=":5" />

===Counselling===

AWARE provides professional counselling services for women. The organisation's staff is experienced in working with women on issues such as crisis and trauma, family violence, sexual assault and harassment, marital and psychological issues, as well as a wide range of other matters.<ref name=":0" />

AWARE's Sexual Assault Care Centre provides three counselling sessions free of cost for survivors of sexual assault and harassment.

===Legal information===

AWARE offers a free legal clinic twice a month, with experienced lawyers providing women with legal information and advice.<ref name=":0" /> The organisation conducted 93 legal information sessions in 2016, with 85% of clients responding that the advice given by the lawyer helped them to make an informed decision.<ref name=":2" />

===Befriending===

AWARE's Befriender service accompanies women who are victims of violence to the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, police stations, hospitals and other help centres.<ref name=":2" /> The Befrienders' presence helps women who are fearful of facing a Respondent face-to-face at mentions or hearings.<ref name=":2" /> AWARE conducted 45 befriending trips in 2016, with 93% of clients saying that the befrienders were encouraging and supportive.<ref name=":2" /> Befrienders services are arranged by referral through AWARE's Women's Helpline. Support Services staff then respond within three days.

== Research and advocacy ==

=== Research===

====Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)====

Since 1998, AWARE has had a sub-committee that writes and submits shadow reports to the United Nations (UN) [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women|CEDAW]], on the status of women and ongoing gender inequalities in Singapore. This shadow report serves as a complement to Singapore's national submission. AWARE has submitted three such shadow reports: one in 2007, one in 2011 and one in 2017.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/reports/cedaw-shadow-reports/|title=CEDAW Shadow Reports|website=AWARE.org.sg|access-date=20 January 2019))</ref>

AWARE was one of the 13 NGOs that submitted a joint report to the UN [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women|CEDAW]] Committee on 2 October 2017.<ref name=":8">((Cite web|url=https://sgcedawcoalition.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/local-ngos-come-together-to-submit-joint-report-to-the-un-about-gender-inequalities-in-singapore/|title=Press Release: Local NGOs come together to submit joint report to the UN about gender inequalities in Singapore|date=3 October 2017|website=Singapore CEDAW Coalition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124425/https://sgcedawcoalition.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/local-ngos-come-together-to-submit-joint-report-to-the-un-about-gender-inequalities-in-singapore/|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> The report was titled ‘Many Voices, One Movement’.<ref name=":9">((Cite web|url=https://sgcedawcoalition.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/many-voices-one-movement-coalition-report-of-national-ngos-on-singapore.pdf|title=Many Voices, One Movement|date=2 October 2017|website=Singapore CEDAW Coalition|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124707/https://sgcedawcoalition.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/many-voices-one-movement-coalition-report-of-national-ngos-on-singapore.pdf|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> This was the first time that the different NGOs collaborated to produce a joint report. The report highlighted various key recommendations, which included the adoption of gender quotas to improve women's representation in public positions (including the Cabinet); the elimination of the "head of household" concept from policy and decision-making; the implementation of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law to better prevent pregnancy discrimination and discrimination against Muslim women on the basis of religious garb; the decision to allow Muslims to choose to distribute estates in accordance with Muslim or civil law; as well as the removal of marital immunity for all sexual violence offences.<ref name=":9" />

====The Financial Cost of Caregiving====
In 2018, AWARE started a qualitative research project to investigate the financial costs of caregiving for older persons in Singapore. AWARE interviewed 23 primary caregivers aged 45–65 within a span of two months, investigating how families decide on their care arrangements, including: whether to care at home or at a nursing home, whether to engage professional care services or hire a foreign domestic worker, and which family member should be the primary caregiver responsible for housing the care recipient and coordinating their care. Preliminary analysis of the data has revealed the challenges of balancing work and care for female caregivers, with many women leaving paid employment during their prime working years in order to provide care. AWARE's research looks into how this loss in income and increase in out-of-pocket care-related expenses results in financial insecurity for these women as they worry about having enough for their own future care needs.

===Public campaigns===
====#asinglelove: Standing Up for Single Parents====

<nowiki>#</nowiki>asinglelove is a campaign initiated by AWARE in collaboration with Kinetic Singapore and Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT), a non-governmental organisation which seeks to improve access to jobs for lower-income women. The campaign was organised to support and empower single parents, promote more supportive and equitable policies for them, and encourage welcoming and inclusive attitudes towards them.

AWARE conducted in-depth interviews with single mothers in 2016. The data from the research was gathered to provide material for AWARE's submissions to policy-makers. A report on single parents found that 95% of interviewees who sought public housing faced problems, from unrealistic income ceilings and long debarment periods to a lack of transparency and clarity in policies.<ref name=":12">((Cite web|url=http://asinglelove.sg|title=A Single Love Website|year=2018|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124500/http://asinglelove.sg/|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>  The report also outlined the five biggest challenges that they encounter: housing, employment, childcare, poverty and stigma.<ref name=":12" />

AWARE's petition for equal rights for single parents was also featured in various media outlets, including ''Cleo'', a women's magazine.

====Gender Equality is our Culture (GEC) Project====

Gender Equality is our Culture (GEC) was a project running from September 2013 to December 2018, developed in collaboration with Solidaritas Perempuan in Indonesia.<ref name=":2" /> It was funded by the UN Women Fund for Gender Equality.

Through community engagement, the development of Muslim women's authentic voices, and collaborations within regional networks, GEC worked to counter the state's narrative that “culture” inhibits a full commitment to gender equality.<ref>The Singapore government has placed reservations on [http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm#article16 Article 16] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406123853/http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm#article16 |date=6 April 2011 )) of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to "protect the rights of minorities in the practice of their personal and religious law.", as mentioned on page 37 in its state [http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/SGP/CEDAW_C_SGP_5_6007_E.pdf report] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022100/https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/SGP/CEDAW_C_SGP_5_6007_E.pdf |date=15 December 2018 )). It is clear, then, that the state prioritises minority rights over the rights of women as individuals. Additionally, on page 8 of AWARE's [http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/SGP/INT_CEDAW_NGO_SGP_29054_E.pdf CEDAW Shadow Report] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022157/https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/SGP/INT_CEDAW_NGO_SGP_29054_E.pdf |date=15 December 2018 )), it is highlighted that the Singapore state has declined to review its treatment of households as hierarchical, with the male predominantly being the "head of the household".</ref>

==== Aim For Zero ====
In November 2018, AWARE launched a two-year campaign called Aim For Zero, urging Singaporeans to move towards a society with zero sexual violence. This campaign was sparked by the global [[Me Too movement|#MeToo]] movement that erupted in late 2017, whereby women spoke up about the sexual violence they had suffered in their lives. The rise of #MeToo was accompanied by a 79% spike in cases at AWARE's Sexual Assault Care Centre in October 2017.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/speaking-up-on-sexual-abuse|title=Speaking up on sexual abuse|last=Wong|first=Cara|date=November 30, 2018|work=The Straits Times|access-date=January 17, 2019))</ref>

Aim For Zero had an official launch event on 26 November 2018, [[International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women]]. Guest-of-Honour for the opening event was Singapore's Minister for Law and Home Affairs, [[K. Shanmugam|K Shanmugam]]. At the event, AWARE debuted a video featuring 10 Singaporean women talking about their own experiences of sexual violence, many for the first time.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2018/11/30/aware-launches-aim-for-zero-campaign-to-end-sexual-violence/|title=AWARE launches Aim for Zero campaign to end sexual violence|last=F.|first=Kathleen|date=November 30, 2018|work=The Online Citizen|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117231147/https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2018/11/30/aware-launches-aim-for-zero-campaign-to-end-sexual-violence/|url-status=dead))</ref>

=== Working with policy-makers===
====Single parents====
The [[Ministry of National Development (Singapore)|Ministry of National Development]] (MND) had responded to AWARE's in-depth December 2016 study on single parents, saying that it would take the organisation's findings into consideration.<ref name=":14">((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/accommodate-single-parents-in-housing-policies-urges-aware|title=Accommodate single parents in housing policies, urges Aware|last=Kok|first=Xing Hui|date=16 February 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164303/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/accommodate-single-parents-in-housing-policies-urges-aware|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

Following the study, AWARE launched a petition on 15 May 2017, in conjunction with the [[International Day of Families]], to lobby the Singapore government to give more help to single parents.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/petition-to-ease-single-parents-housing-woes|title=Petition to ease single parents' housing woes|last=Toh|first=Yong Chuan|date=14 May 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164422/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/petition-to-ease-single-parents-housing-woes|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> The petition launch was accompanied by a video ("Single Parents Talk Housing"), showing six single mothers discussing the challenges they faced when they attempted to obtain housing.<ref>The video can be found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwTTGBFGcog here].</ref><ref name=":15">((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/2017/05/petition-video-on-housing-for-single-parents-launched-on-international-day-of-families/|title=Petition, video on housing for single parents launched on International Day of Families|date=15 May 2017|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164400/http://www.aware.org.sg/2017/05/petition-video-on-housing-for-single-parents-launched-on-international-day-of-families/|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

Parliamentary push for housing access for single parents also helped to boost AWARE's stance on the issue. On 11 September 2017, [[Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency]] (GRC) MP [[Louis Ng]] submitted a separate petition to Parliament on behalf of seven single parents.<ref name=":15" /> The petition called for amendments to the Housing and Development Act to prevent discrimination based on marital status.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-mp-submits-petition-for-inclusive-housing-for-single-parents|title=Parliament: MP submits petition for inclusive housing for single parents|last=Kok|first=Xing Hui|date=11 September 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164252/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parliament-mp-submits-petition-for-inclusive-housing-for-single-parents|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

MP Louis Ng hoped that the petition would result in the recognition of unmarried parents and their children as a family nucleus to ensure their eligibility for public housing schemes.<ref name=":16">((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/single-parents-mp-to-file-housing-petition?login=true|title=Single parents: MP to file housing petition|last=Kok|first=Xing Hui|date=7 September 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214213928/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/single-parents-mp-to-file-housing-petition?login=true|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> In addition, he hoped to remove debarment periods preventing divorced parents from renting from the HDB or owning subsidised flats.<ref name=":16" />

AWARE's study, its petition, the parliamentary push by MP Louis Ng as well as the personal struggles of single parents were covered extensively by the mainstream media.<ref name=":14" /><ref>((cite news | url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/amend-housing-policies-for-single-parents-womens-group-aware?login=true | title=Amend housing policies for single parents: Women's group Aware | work=The Straits Times | date=15 February 2017 | last=Kok | first=Xing Hui | access-date=14 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022115/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/amend-housing-policies-for-single-parents-womens-group-aware?login=true | archive-date=15 December 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all ))</ref>

====Female caregivers and older women====
In 2017, AWARE cast a spotlight on the needs of female caregivers and older women in its advocacy related to Singapore's national budget.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-calls-for-more-help-for-seniors-and-caregivers?login=true|title=Aware calls for more help for seniors and caregivers|last=Yong|first=Charissa|date=17 January 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164055/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-calls-for-more-help-for-seniors-and-caregivers?login=true|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> With increasing evidence that the impact of the ageing population falls disproportionately on women, the organisation urged the government to budget for care as a social good, rather than leaving its costs for families to address on their own.<ref name=":2" />

As the government moved to enhance protection of older people from abuse with the Vulnerable Adults Act, AWARE also highlighted the importance of balancing the need to empower interventions by public agencies against the [[Right to privacy|rights to privacy]] and [[due process]].<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/vulnerable-adults-act-to-include-protection-for-self-neglect-cases|title=Vulnerable Adults Act to include protection for self-neglect cases|last=Tai|first=Janice|date=15 January 2015|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022235/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/vulnerable-adults-act-to-include-protection-for-self-neglect-cases|archive-date=15 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref> The organisation also emphasised, in the media conversation, the need to place elder abuse in the context of a wider caregiving infrastructure.<ref>((Cite news|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-budget-2015/singapores-aware-calls-for-better-caregiving-infrastructure|title=Singapore's Aware calls for better caregiving infrastructure|last=Cheok|first=Jacquelyn|date=2 February 2015|work=The Business Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164103/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-budget-2015/singapores-aware-calls-for-better-caregiving-infrastructure|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref><ref name=":2" />

AWARE addressed similar concerns in its budget recommendations in 2018 and 2019.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/2018/01/aware-calls-for-a-budget-for-gender-equality/|title=AWARE calls for a budget for gender equality|date=January 12, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2019))</ref><ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/2019/01/budget-2019-4g-budget-for-all-generations/|title=Budget 2019: AWARE calls for a '4G' budget for all generations|date=January 11, 2019|website=AWARE|access-date=January 17, 2019))</ref>

====Migrant spouses====

AWARE has kept the rights of foreign spouses on Singapore policy-makers' agendas. AWARE worked with members of parliament to highlight the lack of rights and support for migrant spouses, particularly foreign wives of Singaporean citizen men, as a key women's rights matter at the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|UN Human Rights Council]] in June 2016.

To mark [[International Migrants Day|International Migrants’ Day]] in 2016, AWARE also released a policy brief calling for key reforms that would particularly help lower-income transnational families.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.aware.org.sg/2016/12/international-migrants-day-aware-urges-equality-and-inclusion-for-foreign-wives/|title=International Migrants Day: AWARE urges equality and inclusion for foreign wives|date=14 December 2016|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019194231/http://www.aware.org.sg/2016/12/international-migrants-day-aware-urges-equality-and-inclusion-for-foreign-wives/|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

=== Strengthening civil society networks ===
'''Power Fund: Women's Fund For Change'''

AWARE announced the launch of the Power Fund: Women's Fund For Change, a fund to provide emerging women's rights groups with seed funding and other resources, at its annual fundraiser, The Love Ball, in September 2017.<ref name=":18">((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-announces-support-services-in-5-languages-and-seed-fund-for-emerging-womens-rights|title=Aware announces support services in 5 languages and seed fund for emerging women's rights groups|last=Toh|first=Wen Li|date=8 September 2017|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164333/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-announces-support-services-in-5-languages-and-seed-fund-for-emerging-womens-rights|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

====Awards, honours and recognition====

In 2015, AWARE was one of Just Cause Asia's top four recommended charities to donate to, out of 10 different women's-focused organisations.<ref name=":2" /> Just Cause Asia's conclusions were based on surveys of staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and partners, together with a review of finances and other key documents of each organisation. AWARE scored particularly highly in these areas: legal, governance and finance, mission and strategy, beneficiary and staff satisfaction and reputation.<ref name=":2" />

A 2015 public value survey on AWARE conducted by Brightpurpose found that respondents valued AWARE's influence on policy and legislation, its visible, vocal role in driving discourse by taking public stands, its "strong hands-on grounding in its Support Services and its longevity and strong organisational ethos".<ref>Brightpurpose conducted in-depth interviews with 24 stakeholders who have experience with AWARE's work, including policy-makers, public agencies, foundations, NGOs, higher education institutes and the media.</ref><ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/2016/09/aware-lauded-for-its-excellent-standards-of-governance/|title=AWARE lauded for its excellent standards of governance|date=29 September 2016|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214164249/http://www.aware.org.sg/2016/09/aware-lauded-for-its-excellent-standards-of-governance/|archive-date=14 December 2018|url-status=live))</ref>

AWARE received gold-standard recognition when Singapore's Charity Council presented Charity Governance and Charity Transparency Awards to the organisation in 2016.<ref name=":2" />

== Controversies==
=== Attempted takeover by conservative Christian group ===
In 2009, the organisation made headlines when a group of conservative Christian women took over AWARE by winning 9 out of 12 available seats on the executive committee.<ref name=":20">((Cite web|url=http://www.womensaction.sg/timeline#year-2009|title=Women's Action Timeline|date=2018|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221115728/http://www.womensaction.sg/timeline#year-2009#year-2009|archive-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> Six out of nine of the new members of the exco had attended the same church, the [[Church of Our Saviour, Singapore|Anglican Church of Our Saviour]] (COOS) located at Margaret Drive.<ref name=":21">((Cite book|title=The AWARE Saga: Civil Society and Public Morality|last=Chong|first=Terence|publisher=National University of Singapore Press|year=2011|location=Singapore))</ref> 80 of the 120 attendees of the meeting were similarly new members from the same church.<ref>((citation|author=Kalinga Seneviratne|title=SINGAPORE: Evangelical Christians Take on Civil Society|date=30 April 2009|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/04/singapore-evangelical-christians-take-on-civil-society/|df=dmy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120023303/http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/04/singapore-evangelical-christians-take-on-civil-society/|access-date=19 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|url-status=live))</ref>

At the time, AWARE's Constitution had allowed new members to stand for elections. These new members, under the leadership of Josie Lau and organisation by [[Thio Su Mien]], then nominated and voted in new women to the executive committee. They had alleged that AWARE was harbouring and pushing a “pro-gay agenda”.

Thio told reporters that she had encouraged the women to take over AWARE because she felt that AWARE's original focus on gender equality had shifted, claiming that “Aware seems to be only very interested in lesbianism and the advancement of homosexuality”.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://we.are.aware.org.sg/2009/04/21/jeanlau/|title=Unpublished Letter by Jean Lau|date=21 April 2009|website=AWARE (Previous website)))</ref> She then attacked AWARE's sex education syllabus, which came under the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]]’s (MOE) Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) programme. Thio claimed that AWARE’s sex education had encouraged local students to view homosexuality in ‘neutral’ terms instead of ‘negatively’, warning that “this is something which should concern parents in Singapore”.<ref name=":21" />

The new members had changed the locks and the security system at the AWARE Centre in Dover Crescent without the knowledge of the “Old Guard”.<ref name=":21" />

Eventually, after meetings between members of the “Old Guard”, they decided to challenge the new executive committee at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 2 May 2009.<ref name=":20" /> The EGM finally concluded, after over eight hours, with a vote of no confidence in the “New Guard”, and a new executive committee elected with a mix of old and new members of AWARE.

Deputy Prime minister [[Wong Kan Seng]] commented that "a group of conservative Christians, all attending the same church, which held strong views on homosexuality, had moved in and taken over AWARE because they disapproved of what AWARE had been doing", and called for tolerance, cautioning that religion and politics must be kept separate.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTQ0MA%3D%3D-H1aIkdI4Ksw%3D|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517040507/http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTQ0MA%3D%3D-H1aIkdI4Ksw%3D|url-status=dead|title=Comments by DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng in response to media queries related to AWARE|archivedate=17 May 2009))</ref>

((Quote box
| quote = "We were not concerned who would control Aware because it is just one of so many NGOs in Singapore. On homosexuality policy or sexuality education in schools, there can be strong differences in view but the government’s position was quite clear. It was not at stake. But what worried us was that this was an attempt by a religiously motivated group who shared a strong religious fervour to enter civil space, take over an NGO it disapproved of and impose its agenda. And it was bound to provoke a push back from groups who held the opposite view which happened vociferously and stridently as a fierce battle."
|source = -[[Lee Hsien Loong]] in his National Day Rally speech, 2009<ref>((Cite web|last=Alvin_Chong|date=2019-08-22|title=PMO ((!)) National Day Rally 2009|url=https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/prime-minister-lee-hsien-loongs-national-day-rally-2009-speech-english|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Prime Minister's Office Singapore|language=en))</ref>
|width  = 50% 
|align  = center
))

=== Male Members ===
AWARE had received prior criticism for not allowing its male members to take up ordinary memberships at the organisation.

However, male and non-binary members have recently been granted limited voting rights. At an EGM on 26 November 2016, over 60 members voted to give voting rights to Associate Members (men and non-binary persons) subject to a 25% cap on their votes on any resolution.<ref name=":22">((Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-gives-men-voting-rights|title=Aware gives men voting rights|last=Seow|first=Bei Yi|date=29 November 2016|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823053511/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aware-gives-men-voting-rights|archive-date=23 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> The decision was supported by more than 70% of voting members.<ref name=":22" /> Male members currently make up about 7 per cent of AWARE's membership.

There was also a proposal to allow male members to take up roles on the board. However, the proposal was not pushed through as it could get only 58% of the votes.<ref name=":22" /> Changes to AWARE's Constitution can only be passed with support from at least two-thirds of the organisation's members.

=== Purple Light' Lyrics ===
In November 2013, AWARE made headlines when it brought to light certain lyrics which condoned sexual and physical violence being sung during National Service route marches. AWARE then wrote in to the [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]] (MINDEF) and the [[Singapore Armed Forces]] (SAF).

The lyrics are as shown below:

“Booking out, see my girlfriend,

Saw her with another man,

Kill the man, rape my girlfriend,

With my rifle and my buddy and me.”

The organisation was alerted to the lyrics when several men at a We Can! Workshop aimed at preventing sexual violence against women and girls told AWARE that they were disturbed by the cavalier attitude expressed toward sexual violence. In their view, such lyrics should not be part of the National Service (NS) experience.<ref name=":23">((Cite web|url=http://www.aware.org.sg/2013/11/the-perplexing-case-of-purple-light/|title=The perplexing case of Purple Light|date=18 November 2013|website=AWARE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720211612/http://www.aware.org.sg/2013/11/the-perplexing-case-of-purple-light/|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref>

MINDEF and SAF then agreed with AWARE's stance and replied that they would take steps to “immediately halt” the singing of these lyrics.<ref name=":23" />

AWARE's raising of the issue, along with MINDEF and SAF's swift response in banning the lyrics, generated very intense discussions on the Internet about the significance of discontinuing the lyrics.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/offensive-verse-of-popular-army-marching-song-banned|title=Offensive verse of popular army marching song banned|last=Chow|first=Jermyn|date=16 November 2013|work=The Straits Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311214524/http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/offensive-verse-of-popular-army-marching-song-banned|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> The discourse was split into two camps - those who had supported and applauded AWARE's initiative, and those who strongly disagreed with the move by either problematising AWARE's objectives or faulting its approach to the issue.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/purple-light-good-riddance-to-bad-ditties|title=Purple Light: Good riddance to bad ditties|last=Lui|first=John|date=27 November 2013|work=The Straits Times))</ref>

Those who had criticised AWARE had done so for various reasons: that the original lyrics had not been offensive and the offensive lyrics were the brainchild of merely a few soldiers, that the song was merely a song and it does not have the capacity to cause soldiers to commit rape and that the singing of the song had to be analysed in context and soldiers were merely bonding over their shared grief of losing girlfriends to less preoccupied men outside of the army.<ref name=":24">((Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/awaresg/posts/688516534494122|title=AWARE Facebook Post|date=15 November 2013|website=Facebook|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214032745/https://www.facebook.com/awaresg/posts/688516534494122|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> While most netizens agreed that the song lyrics were indeed offensive, they took issue with the idea of a women's organisation attempting to supposed military tradition that women in Singapore were not forced to partake in. They had also argued that AWARE should have taken a more “sensitive” approach to the issue.<ref name=":24" />

Some netizens, including men who had served in the army themselves, believed that the move was justified because [[rape culture]] in society should not be tolerated or condoned. They had argued that male bonding was not a reason to justify sexual assault or murder, and that if the lyrics were truly trivial, people would not have an issue with the particular verse being omitted from the song.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=8568|title=Wrapping up the Purple Light fiasco|date=21 November 2013|website=Sgpolitics.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316022759/http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=8568|archive-date=16 March 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all|access-date=17 December 2018))</ref> While the incident was a heated one, it had also encouraged men themselves to speak up about the military culture experienced during NS.

=== Enhanced Benefits for operationally ready servicemen (NSmen) ===
In April 2014, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen's announced that “more will be done to help (citizen soldiers) balance work and family with military service.” He also added that a “package” of “meaningful” benefits in housing, healthcare and education was being considered for citizen soldiers.<ref>((Cite news|title=NSmen to get more perks in health care, housing, education|date=25 April 2014|work=The Straits Times))</ref>

AWARE then posted a status on Facebook in response to the announcement, reiterating its opposition to additional benefits for NSmen. It argued that “every person deserves access to housing, education and healthcare, because these are basic requirements for human sustenance and social participation” and that “military service should not be held up as the single gold standard of citizen belonging”.<ref name=":25">((Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/awaresg/posts/769391113073330?comment_id=769801973032244&ref=notif&notif_t=like|title=AWARE Facebook post|date=24 April 2014|website=Facebook))</ref> The organisation also put forth the idea that the proposal might result in “different tiers of people with different social entitlements and worth.”.<ref name=":25" />

The Facebook post also mentioned AWARE's stance against “any link between support for fundamental needs and an individual's status as an NSman, especially when the military may not be suitable for many people, regardless of their gender.”.<ref name=":25" />

The post had garnered some negative feedback from netizens and had also made its way into mainstream news.<ref>((Cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/awares-pushback-more-benefits-nsmen-ignites-debate|title=AWARE's pushback on more benefits for NSmen ignites debate|last=Neo|first=Chai Chin|date=26 April 2014|work=TodayONLINE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101023611/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/awares-pushback-more-benefits-nsmen-ignites-debate|archive-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref> Some had argued that AWARE was “jumping the gun”, that it lacked an “understanding of the need for NS” and that AWARE was not recognising the 2-year sacrifice of NSmen, being “compelled by law to sacrifice two years of their life to National Service”.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://doulosyap.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/7-things-aware-is-unaware-of-as-shown-by-this-gaffe/|title=7 things AWARE is unaware of, as shown by this gaffe|date=25 April 2014|website=New Worlds|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318131254/https://doulosyap.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/7-things-aware-is-unaware-of-as-shown-by-this-gaffe/|archive-date=18 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all))</ref><ref name=":25" /><ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=8710|title=AWARE clarifies its position after receiving criticism|date=26 April 2014|website=Sgpolitics.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809045812/http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=8710|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all|access-date=17 December 2018))</ref>

However, there were other netizens who expressed more measured responses, clarifying that AWARE was not against compensation for NSmen as a whole, but more specifically, the form of compensation that Minister Ng was proposing. One netizen also attempted to address the argument that AWARE should not “interfere” in issues of security, arguing that “women contribute to security in other ways, such as working and contributing to the economy, which supports the military, they take responsibility in other ways that are not easily seen or heard.”<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/04/26/why-men-need-to-consider-the-concerns-of-women-regarding-ns/|title=Why men need to consider the concerns of women regarding NS|last=Chia|first=Aloysius|date=26 April 2014|website=The Online Citizen|access-date=17 December 2018|archive-date=17 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202307/https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/04/26/why-men-need-to-consider-the-concerns-of-women-regarding-ns/|url-status=dead))</ref>

==References==
((Reflist|38em))

==External links==
((Commons category|Association of Women for Action and Research))

* ((Official website))
* [http://aimforzero.sg/ Aim For Zero campaign website]

((EngvarB|date=January 2019)) ((Use dmy dates|date=January 2019))

[[Category:1985 establishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Non-profit organisations based in Singapore]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1985]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Association of Women for Action and Research (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:COI (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite book (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Cleanup (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Comma separated entries (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Commons category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Coord (view source) (protected)
Template:DMC (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:DMCA (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:EngvarB (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:If empty (view source) (protected)
Template:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox organization (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Longitem (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:MONTHNAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:MONTHNUMBER (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Template:Official website (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Other uses (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Quote box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Quote box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Replace (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:SUBJECTSPACE formatted (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sister project (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Start date (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Template other (view source) (protected)
Template:Terminate sentence (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Unbulleted list (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use dmy dates (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If empty (view source) (protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:List (view source) (protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Official website (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Other uses (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/rfd (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Separated entries (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:Text (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/nolinks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/titleformats (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Association of Women for Action and Research.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Women_for_Action_and_Research"