<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Aware should not lose sight of its original role
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I HAVE followed the news on the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) with great interest. To my surprise, questions have focused mainly on the new office-holders' stand on homosexuality.
I am puzzled as to the relevance of these questions. As far as I know, Aware was not set up to establish acceptance of homosexuality.
A check on Aware's website confirmed that its mission is to 'identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change, and support women in realising their highest potential'.
In view of that, Aware should not lose sight of its original role and function, but should focus on advancing the cause of women as a whole. The agenda of homosexuality should remain separate.
With the current economic situation, I find it strange that reporters have not asked the new office-bearers what they plan to do to help women coping with job losses, especially single mothers struggling to provide for their families. The questions on homosexuality stand out glaringly at the top of the list, as if that was the main role of Aware. Surely women are now struggling with more urgent and pressing issues than society's acceptance of homosexuality.
I also find that the request from some members for an extraordinary general meeting, with the intent of replacing the committee, borders on the ludicrous.
Examining the write-up on these new office-bearers, I found my respect and confidence in them growing. These are women with stellar credentials, highly successful and respected in their fields. These are women who have broken through glass ceilings. Aware should count itself privileged to have such a diverse team of capable leaders. As a woman, I am happy to have them represent my cause.
I understand how the old guard members must feel. Losing is never easy. I hope they realise that their sacrifice of hard work and time has not gone unnoticed. Even so, a democratic process should be respected for what it stands for.
From the reports, it is clear that Mrs Claire Nazar was nominated by the outgoing president, and she in turn nominated about half of the office-bearers. After which everything was left up to the vote of the members. Frankly, I see nothing suspicious in that. Rather than let bruised egos dictate behaviour, I suggest that perhaps graciousness could be a more dignified way to end one's term in office. Hannah Han (Ms)
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I HAVE followed the news on the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) with great interest. To my surprise, questions have focused mainly on the new office-holders' stand on homosexuality.
I am puzzled as to the relevance of these questions. As far as I know, Aware was not set up to establish acceptance of homosexuality.
A check on Aware's website confirmed that its mission is to 'identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change, and support women in realising their highest potential'.
In view of that, Aware should not lose sight of its original role and function, but should focus on advancing the cause of women as a whole. The agenda of homosexuality should remain separate.
With the current economic situation, I find it strange that reporters have not asked the new office-bearers what they plan to do to help women coping with job losses, especially single mothers struggling to provide for their families. The questions on homosexuality stand out glaringly at the top of the list, as if that was the main role of Aware. Surely women are now struggling with more urgent and pressing issues than society's acceptance of homosexuality.
I also find that the request from some members for an extraordinary general meeting, with the intent of replacing the committee, borders on the ludicrous.
Examining the write-up on these new office-bearers, I found my respect and confidence in them growing. These are women with stellar credentials, highly successful and respected in their fields. These are women who have broken through glass ceilings. Aware should count itself privileged to have such a diverse team of capable leaders. As a woman, I am happy to have them represent my cause.
I understand how the old guard members must feel. Losing is never easy. I hope they realise that their sacrifice of hard work and time has not gone unnoticed. Even so, a democratic process should be respected for what it stands for.
From the reports, it is clear that Mrs Claire Nazar was nominated by the outgoing president, and she in turn nominated about half of the office-bearers. After which everything was left up to the vote of the members. Frankly, I see nothing suspicious in that. Rather than let bruised egos dictate behaviour, I suggest that perhaps graciousness could be a more dignified way to end one's term in office. Hannah Han (Ms)
