The following are the full answers to the questions put to Nicole Tan by I-S Magazine for their June 12 article. Nicole is a member of the Aware EXCO.
Nicole
How long have you been with Aware?
For the longest. Remember paying for my lifetime membership with one of my paychecks as a first year lawyer.
What have you learnt from the recent Aware controversy?
I had not been an active member for some time. But I decided to come out of the woodwork when there was a sudden change in leadership. Aware is the only credible feminist voice. My voice, my sisters’ voice is worth fighting for.
What is your role within the organization as an exco member?
Individually, what are you tasked to do in the next 12 months or so?
I bring my professional skills to the table. In particular, with the increase in membership, I look forward to working with the Legal Sub-committee on the governance structure of AWARE.
To be part of the “rainbow coalition”; to share my thoughts and views so that the collective voice would be one that embraces a diversity of viewpoints.
In your individual opinion, what misconceptions about Aware continue to remain after this saga?
That we have a hidden homosexual agenda.
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 as an individual, what are you doing about such perceptions?
Is there a groundswell of opinion? I am not too sure about that. Could it be a vocal minority?
Secondly, considering that we are a global city with a multi-racial and multi-religious tapestry, could there indeed be “Singapore’s societal values”. I am also uncomfortable with the phrase because it sounds so much like “Asian values”. What are these values, specifically?
If we are talking about informed choice; respect and dignity for all, I believe these values are universal and my fellow Singaporeans subscribe to these values too.
There may be some issues or concerns that we may be “out of step” with the majority. We are after all an advocacy / civil society group. For example, for AWARE, sex without consent is rape, even within a married couple.
What are some the biggest challenges faced by Singapore women today?
To have it all and to do it all. There are so many roles that we play – mother, wife, daughter, career woman, chauffer; hostess; party organizer; teacher, cook … the list goes on. Something’s got to give.
Equal opportunity. It is not just same work for same pay. But rather, is a woman given the same opportunity to do the same work. Are there sufficient female role models? Do employers value diversity and promote and train women as they do men.
Has the recent controversy set the organization back? If so, how should the organization build itself up from heron in?
Yes, it has. We have been inaccurately labeled and thus marginalized. Singaporeans are pragmatic, at the end of the day, if we doggedly continue to deliver on our myriad of programs, public opinion will eventually be swayed.
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