We at UNIFEM wish you a wonderful 2009!
With a new year and a new beginning, let us work together to be the change
we want to see in this world.

A New Year, A New You

With a new year dawning upon us, this is a time when each of us can congratulate ourselves for work well done, and also reflect on how we could have done better in other areas. Here at UNIFEM Singapore, we have had a successful year and look forward to achieving new goals and milestones in the year ahead.

2009 is the United Nations International Year of Reconciliation, and we will continue to focus on pertinent issues affecting women on a global scale.

Change can be initiated on an individual level too. Each of us has the power to make a change, whether it is finally getting a personal project off the ground or finding the can-do attitude within to move those proverbial mountains. We offer 10 simple ways for you to enact a mini revolution in your life, all without leaving your desk.

Just as the New Year heralds an opportunity for each of us to present a newer, better version of ourselves, we also salute a woman who helps to bring lives into the world everyday. A midwife who has dedicated herself to delivering the children of impoverished women in Bali, Ibu Robin Lim is an inspiration to all of us.

We also bring you reports from our latest events - The F Word, the ISEAS Gender Symposium and Take a Step to Make a Change, our inaugural public-awareness walk to end violence against women.

UNIFEM Singapore wishes you a wonderful 2009!

Start 2009 the UNIFEM Way!

10 Simple Ways to A Positive Start Without Leaving Your Desk

• Reduce your carbon footprint by reading an e-book.
• Make an online donation to a cause of your choice.
• Learn more about goal-setting and plan your next project!
• Research a famous woman who has inspired you.
• Enrol in a class to learn a new skill.
• Re-organise your finances using customised templates.
• Gather a collection of quotes that refresh and inspire you.
• Sign up as a volunteer at an organisation you believe in.
• Send an e-card to your loved ones.
• Stay informed about gender issues at UNIFEM.

Woman of the Month!

A Balinese Midwife: Ibu Robin Lim

   With the hope of making the world a better place by welcoming babies gently into the world, Ibu Robin Lim set up the Bumi Bali Family Health and Birth Center and spearheaded the Bumi Sehat Project, a non-profit initiative that helps women under financial strain cross the threshold to motherhood.

   Patients of the clinic include women and families who have lost their jobs or have faced a decrease in income as a result of the 2002 Bali bombing. This has led to a decline in the economy, and poverty and malnutrition have become more widespread.

   This lack of proper nutrition and prenatal care has translated into complications for mothers during pregnancy and delivery, and has also led to an increasing number of infants who are born with birth defects or die shortly after birth. To circumvent this, the clinic has been providing free prenatal care, birth services, and postpartum and breast-feeding support.

   Bumi Sehat Bali is a site of bustling activity. This year alone, the clinic has conducted thousands of prenatal and postpartum checkups, and as of September 2008 has seen 453 births. This number is set to increase, and at times there is a shortage of beds to cater to the women who come to Bumi Sehat.

   However, this has not deterred Ibu Robin Lim and her dedicated team, and there are active collaborations with the Department of Health to address specific areas of concern in childbirth, such as hygiene and prenatal care and risk assessment, in order to preserve infant and maternal life. In addition, there have also been environmental and educational projects initiated to create a culture of sustainability in the community.

   There is also a Bumi Sehat clinic in Aceh that helps survivors devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. Most have remained unemployed in the wake of the disaster and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Moreover, the subsequent inflation of food prices has resulted in widespread malnutrition and its attendant problems. To alleviate the situation, Team Bumi Aceh works closely with local traditional birth attendants to provide expectant mothers with prenatal health education as well as exercise-dance-yoga classes, which have proven instrumental in saving lives.

   All this would not be possible if not for Ibu Robin Lim's conviction that she "would not live for any other purpose except for love." As she and her team continue to give women the opportunity of a safe and comfortable birthing experience, it is easy to see how peace can be built, one baby at a time.
 

EVENT REPORTS

Take a Step to Make a Change

   Violence affects 1 in 3 women in her lifetime. It can affect ANYONE at ANYTIME regardless of race, ethnicity, or age. Women aged between 15 and 44 years of age are more at risk of experiencing rape and domestic violence than cancer, motor vehicle accidents, war and malaria.

   On 6th December, UNIFEM Singapore organised Take a Step to Make A Change, a walk to end violence against women, in partnership with MCYS, AWARE, SCWO, PUB-NEWater and Cafe Diplo. The walk came under the U60 activities throughout November and December 2008, and commemorated the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November.

   Take A Step to Make A Change was held during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, a global campaign that recognises the right of each individual to live a life free from violence and abuse. The 16-day period encompasses World AIDS Day on 1st December and International Human Rights Day on 10th December.

   The organising team for Take a Step to Make a Change first came together in October 2008. In November the committee opened up a competition for the design of the official T-shirt and postcard. The winning designers Spadeo Ho and Asha Asvaratham were presented with a plaque and certificate.

   Registration numbers were strong, and on the day close to 200 Singaporeans braved rainy weather to show solidarity by participating in the walk. Volunteer ushers led participants along the 45-minute walk through the picturesque Singapore Botanic Gardens. The post-walk event was held at UNIFEM Singapore office at Nassim Road.

   President of UNIFEM Singapore Ms Saleemah Ismail thanked the participants for coming together for the cause and a candlelight vigil was held to show support for all women affected by violence in their lifetime. UNIFEM General Manager Sreyashi Sengupta read a poem portraying the determination of women to survive and no longer be a victim of violence and abuse. After the vigil, participants helped themselves to refreshments while listening to the amazing musical talents of Syltra Lee, who captured the mood of the day and wowed the audience. Participants were given goody bags and official T-shirts for the specially designed for the event.

   Over 30 UNIFEM Singapore volunteers helped facilitate Take a Step to Make a Change on the day.

   UNIFEM Singapore would like to thank The Body Shop, The Jewel Box and CB Fleet for their support.

ISEAS Symposium: 'Gender Trends in Southeast Asia: Women Now, Women in The Future'

   Top local and regional academics gathered on December 4th to present and discuss their research on the complex issues women face and will be facing in the social and political arenas of Southeast Asia. Held at the Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) in conjunction with UNIFEM Singapore, the symposium covered a range of topics - from the changing family dynamics women are struggling with, to the intricacies of the politicisation of Islam in Indonesia and Malaysia and the impact these have on women's rights.

   Guests were welcomed by Ambassador K. Kesavapany, the Director of ISEAS, along with a heartfelt speech by the Guest of Honour, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports. She broke the ice with candid talk about how to fulfill a woman's 3-in-1 dream - the need to balance work, marriage and childbirth, which she finds Singaporean women battling with everyday in the pursuit of happiness.

   The issue of balance fit perfectly into Professor Gavin W. Jones's presentation on 'Woman, Marriage and Family in Southeast Asia', which showed that marriage delays are becoming increasingly common amongst women who have a higher level of education as they thrive in the workforce and find it difficult to find suitable marriage partners on similar levels, a situation academically called 'The Marriage Squeeze'. Thus, women refrain from marriage altogether, or for longer periods of time.

   Combining demands of the workforce with childbearing is another task altogether, and a decline in fertility rates is being experienced in Southeast Asia. The chain of care is inadvertently being affected as grandparents raise their grandchildren instead of parents, who are off at work, or migrant workers, who are given responsibility for the 'labour of love'. These evolving dynamics are important to recognise as institutions are slow to accept and change with them, causing problems especially for single women.

   Apart from changes in family dynamics, the political representation of women in writing has not sufficed. Interestingly, Associate Professor Susan Blackburn of Monash University conducted research on texts written about Southeast Asian politics, only to find a lack of understanding and recognition of the role of gender in the field. She revealed that political academia as a whole does not give enough importance to the aspect of gender. Hence, one wonders how women are meant to obtain powerful positions within political infrastructures in Southeast Asia if there is inadequate recognition in the academic field itself.

   Changes in Indonesia and Malaysia also demand one's attention, as asserted by Professor Maznah Mohamad of the Asia Research Institute (ARI) in her research on 'Religion and Woman', which implies that with the rise of Islamic fundamentalism comes new regulations, laws and religious opinions (fatwas) that can have a deep impact on women's rights. Thus, there is a need to push for legal reforms and to monitor moral policing activities that violate human rights and the dignity of women. These should be combined with ensuring that democracy is also sustained within these regions.

   All in all, the symposium provided a wealth of information as the speakers imparted their knowledge alongside lively discussions on the major gender trends occurring in the region. One realises the essential need for academics in this field as their research and discoveries provide us with valuable insight on the key areas that are in need of continuous zeal and action towards gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment.

The F Word - Is Feminism Still a Dirty Word?

   The Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) in partnership with UNIFEM Singapore and AWARE, organised a discussion titled 'The F Word - Is Feminism Still a Dirty Word?' on December 2nd 2008.

   The event was held at SCWO and was attended by representatives from NGO's, the Singapore Police Force, academics and young people hoping to actively contribute to a feminist discourse.

   The idea that many women are ashamed of calling themselves 'Feminist' and that 'Feminism' is often spoken in the same tone as the other F word was the backdrop for the event. Feminism has also been identified as a movement for women fanatics who burn their bras and speak of the day when women will rule the world. The event thus sought to answer some of the following questions:

• What is feminism?
• Who are these feminists?
• Do all feminist really want to take over and rule the world?
• What are women's rights?
• Feminism is only for the radical shaven head women?
• Can one have a religion and still be a feminist?
• Can women discuss about women's rights, human rights and feminism in Singapore?

   Led by Mrs Constance Singam, the President of AWARE, the discussion touched on the history of feminism in Singapore, the advances made in the last 60 years and the challenges currently faced in public policy. She emphasized the current inequities of the labour market; reminding everyone that there are still many issues women have not overcome, ranging from lower wages for the same work, maternity leave entitlements and discrimination. She referred to the economic issues faced by women in this economic climate. We do not always hold the same value as men in the workplace. She explained that although we have made tremendous strides in education and some women have indeed raised the glass ceiling in upper management, overwhelmingly we find that women's labour is seen as less vital and only serves to close a gap in capitalist gain.

   Mrs. Singam spoke of her own experiences as a feminist and activist for universal human rights. Speaking candidly, she related how at age 42 she began her feminist education and a journey to becoming politically aware. She feels that it is important for us to question our status and role in society, not just as mothers, wives, or daughters but more importantly as women.

   The participants were then invited to discuss attitudes regarding feminism and the relevance this had in their lives. Among the personal anecdotes, the issue of changing family structures and religious beliefs influenced greatly how many women in Singapore interact in the world. Many of the participants spoke of the sacrifice and conflict between the choices they enjoyed and the long-term realities. In contrast to the generation of their mothers, some felt overwhelmed by having such heavy expectation placed on them from media, work, family and the greater community.

   A participant in the group spoke of his experience in the Police Force and how policy and education have made substantial improvements in the handling and reporting of domestic abuse and sexual abuse and in particular the sensitivity afforded to the victims. The need for awareness and sharing was stressed as well as the role of all in the society, and not just NGOs as this is still an issue that is underreported.

   During the discussion participants shared their thoughts and ideas with one another. There was a general recognition of the role of women as active feminists in society.

   This event was in support of U60, a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). U60 through its activities sought to bring Singaporeans together to discuss what human rights means to each individual. The U60 Team was supported by organising partners with MARUAH Singapore and The Online Citizen.

Join the UNIFEM Singapore Group on Facebook

UNIFEM Singapore is now on Facebook!

   Our Facebook group is an active platform for UNIFEM Singapore to share updates, photos and information to all group members. It will also serve as a forum for group members to share ideas and thoughts about women's issues. 

   The UNIFEM Singapore Facebook group is open to everyone! To join, simply search for 'UNIFEM Singapore' on Facebook. Just a small reminder, please note that you have to sign up for Facebook before you can join the group!

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