The following are the full answers to the questions put to Chew I-Jin by I-S Magazine for their June 12 article.
I-Jin is the Vice President of Aware.
I-Jin (right) hugs Ching Wi at the end of the EGM
As vice-president, how do you see your new role going forward?
If Dana is the leader of the band, I’m her understudy! Actually, the reality is that we have a very democratic leadership and I don’t see myself as being #2 or being anything other than an equal member of a team of amazing women. Everyone in the exco has the attributes of a good “leader” in her own right and we actively discuss things to arrive at a reasoned consensus – amidst a lot of support and laughter. This is what I love about the old and “real” Aware. We have an ex President and ex Vice-president in our exco and I am learning from them and all members all the time. I’ve not held such a lofty position in Aware before and I hope to grow into the role with as much strength, grace and wisdom as I can muster.
How different will your new role be compared to your previous designation of assistant honorary treasurer?
I’m not signing cheques!
Will the organization be stronger because of the controversy or weaker? Why?
Stronger for our internal review process, new policies in place, focus on work to be done and the benefits that have come with a passionate and energetic new membership. However, in some ways we are weakened in the eyes of the average person by the harmful misrepresentations of a perceived “agenda” by people who appear to have their own – people who find feminism and advancements in sexual politics a threat to the belief structures that they cling to.
What are some the biggest challenges faced by Singapore women today?
How to live a balanced life without having to exploit another sector of women (foreign maids). How to help your kids juggle the pressures of school without taking them on yourself. How to avoid the consumerist trap and feel you have to keep up with the material aspirations of other Singaporeans. Having a positive body-image – everyone is so obsessed with their weight and appearance.
Will Aware make good on the offer of the ousted exco to serve on committees and help the organization?
It’s on a voluntary basis and certainly they can come forward to volunteer in areas of interest. If objectives are in alignment then there is no reason not to but if they are not aligned, I am not sure how they can contribute positively.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from the saga? How will it shape your policymaking decisions from hereon in?
I’ve really come to appreciate what we had in Aware when for one month I had to experience a total change in culture and values and level of respect for staff and volunteers. Though I have found a great deal of validation, support and appreciation for Aware’s work amongst some groups, I have also learnt that there is still lack of tolerance and a great deal of misunderstanding about what we do amongst others. Not long ago we wondered whether Singaporeans felt that Aware was irrelevant but it clearly isn’t. We are inspired to engage the public in more debate, discussion and involvement in our research. I have been absolutely inspired by the people who have come forward and now we can actively work on leadership renewal. Among the lessons learnt include much needed amendments to our processes, tapping on the talent and passion of our new members and ensuring that those who join share the same overarching values.
There is also a sizeable groundswell of opinion that some of your policies are out of step of with Singapore’s societal values. What do you say about that? And what are you doing about such perceptions?
Aware adopts the values of trust, respect and choice which we feel are values which are dearly held by our multi-faceted and multi-racial society. However, as an advocacy group, we would necessarily be “out of sync” in that our role is to raise issues and surface “gaps” which the majority do not notice or might neglect…
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