Just put a strict quota on the number of females enrolling in local universities. Within a generation the situation will get fixed.
If you're a smart and studious girl good on you. Go overseas and study at your own expense.
-
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Let's see AWARE tackle this
- Thread starter LITTLEREDDOT
- Start date
Just put a strict quota on the number of females enrolling in local universities. Within a generation the situation will get fixed.
If you're a smart and studious girl good on you. Go overseas and study at your own expense.
Doxxing of men. Let's see AWARE make a statement against doxxing and clamp down on these women.
Ms Koh Boon Ki made a post on TikTok about creating a group chat where the personal details of the men and reasons not to date them were shared.
PHOTOS: KOH BOON KI/INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK
David Sun
Oct 18, 2021
SINGAPORE - An influencer who facilitated a group chat where the personal details of Singaporean men and reasons not to date them were shared has been accused by netizens of doxxing.
The open document purportedly compiled the details of dozens of men from anonymous users, with allegations ranging from cheating to sexual assault.
Ms Koh Boon Ki, 22, a recent pharmacy graduate from the National University of Singapore, made a post on TikTok on Sunday (Oct 17) about creating the group.
She said the group on Telegram would be for "girls from all the dating apps in Singapore" to "discuss the guys we've talked to and dates we've been on".
She added that she was tired of having to look out for red flags when it came to dating, and should know all about a person before even talking to him.
The post by Ms Koh, who has more than 112,000 followers on TikTok, has been viewed more than 180,000 times.
Shortly after the post, a Telegram group titled "sg dating adventures" was created along with a Google spreadsheettitled "Dating Guide SG" shared in the chat.
The document was split into two tabs, labelled "Blacklist" and "Avoid".
The allegations against these men ranged from cheating, to coercion and sexual assault.
The group and document purportedly grew as more users joined and contributed on Sunday.
But the chat soon devolved to include discussions about the sexual prowess or lack thereof of certain men.
While many TikTok users lauded Ms Koh for her actions, others urged her to shut it down, saying it could be abused to frame innocent people.
Ms Koh was accused of doxxing and harassment by other TikTok users as the document and chat shared personal details of the men such as their full names and contact details.
In an Instagram post in the early hours of Monday morning (Oct 18), Ms Koh claimed the group chat was closed.
The document however, appears to still be online but with access limited to certain users.
Ms Koh did not respond to requests for comment.
Criminal lawyer Joshua Tong of Kalco Law said Ms Koh may be liable to criminal prosecution under the Protection from Harassment Act (Poha).
He said that as a popular influencer, by creating the chat and document and posting about it on TikTok, she should know that it would be shared widely and would go viral.
"Given the wide reach and potential shame and embarrassment that it may cause the victims to an extremely wide audience, this may be seen as more aggravating and the court may deem that a strict deterrent sentence is required," said Mr Tong.
He added that while both the creators and contributors would likely be caught under Poha, the first port of call for the authorities would likely be the creator of the group.
"It's like uploading and downloading illegal content," he said.
"The authorities usually go after the ones who are uploading or hosting."
But Mr Tong warned that those who contributed can also be prosecuted should the authorities deem it fit.
Ms Kelly Leow, communications manager of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), warned that endeavours like that by Ms Koh are potentially problematic.
"There is always the chance of inaccurate or possibly malicious information being submitted through an open document," she said.
"The criminal justice system, while not flawless in its handling of sexual violence cases, does involve certain standards of investigation conducted by trained professionals, and is therefore more reliable than documents or accounts run by private individuals."
However, Ms Leow said that it is important to also think about why such documents are made.
"Before we write them off as crude or irresponsible, we have to ask ourselves why sexual violence survivors are turning to such methods to share experiences of sexual assault in the first place," she said.
"Without improving our institutional processes to deal with sexual violence, we will continue to see that hurt and rage channelled in ways that some may deem inappropriate."
Aware's Sexual Assault Care Centre saw 19 cases last year involving perpetrators who met their victims on dating apps.
Ms Leow noted that some of these cases had an element of blackmail, involving the exchange of messages or photos containing sexual content.
She said the best way to tackle the issue is through comprehensive sexuality education, which should cover emotional well-being, empathy, respect for others, healthy relationships and consent.
"If these principles are properly disseminated to the general public, we should see fewer cases of sexual violence and when cases do occur, a more supportive and understanding environment for survivors."
Under Poha, those who publish the personal information of another to cause harassment, alarm or distress, may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $5,000.
Those convicted of defamation under the Penal Code may be jailed for up to two years and fined.
Influencer accused of doxxing after compiling list of men on dating apps to blacklist and avoid
Ms Koh Boon Ki made a post on TikTok about creating a group chat where the personal details of the men and reasons not to date them were shared.
PHOTOS: KOH BOON KI/INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK
David Sun
Oct 18, 2021
SINGAPORE - An influencer who facilitated a group chat where the personal details of Singaporean men and reasons not to date them were shared has been accused by netizens of doxxing.
The open document purportedly compiled the details of dozens of men from anonymous users, with allegations ranging from cheating to sexual assault.
Ms Koh Boon Ki, 22, a recent pharmacy graduate from the National University of Singapore, made a post on TikTok on Sunday (Oct 17) about creating the group.
She said the group on Telegram would be for "girls from all the dating apps in Singapore" to "discuss the guys we've talked to and dates we've been on".
She added that she was tired of having to look out for red flags when it came to dating, and should know all about a person before even talking to him.
The post by Ms Koh, who has more than 112,000 followers on TikTok, has been viewed more than 180,000 times.
Shortly after the post, a Telegram group titled "sg dating adventures" was created along with a Google spreadsheettitled "Dating Guide SG" shared in the chat.
The document was split into two tabs, labelled "Blacklist" and "Avoid".
The allegations against these men ranged from cheating, to coercion and sexual assault.
The group and document purportedly grew as more users joined and contributed on Sunday.
But the chat soon devolved to include discussions about the sexual prowess or lack thereof of certain men.
While many TikTok users lauded Ms Koh for her actions, others urged her to shut it down, saying it could be abused to frame innocent people.
Ms Koh was accused of doxxing and harassment by other TikTok users as the document and chat shared personal details of the men such as their full names and contact details.
In an Instagram post in the early hours of Monday morning (Oct 18), Ms Koh claimed the group chat was closed.
The document however, appears to still be online but with access limited to certain users.
Ms Koh did not respond to requests for comment.
Criminal lawyer Joshua Tong of Kalco Law said Ms Koh may be liable to criminal prosecution under the Protection from Harassment Act (Poha).
He said that as a popular influencer, by creating the chat and document and posting about it on TikTok, she should know that it would be shared widely and would go viral.
"Given the wide reach and potential shame and embarrassment that it may cause the victims to an extremely wide audience, this may be seen as more aggravating and the court may deem that a strict deterrent sentence is required," said Mr Tong.
He added that while both the creators and contributors would likely be caught under Poha, the first port of call for the authorities would likely be the creator of the group.
"It's like uploading and downloading illegal content," he said.
"The authorities usually go after the ones who are uploading or hosting."
But Mr Tong warned that those who contributed can also be prosecuted should the authorities deem it fit.
Ms Kelly Leow, communications manager of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), warned that endeavours like that by Ms Koh are potentially problematic.
"There is always the chance of inaccurate or possibly malicious information being submitted through an open document," she said.
"The criminal justice system, while not flawless in its handling of sexual violence cases, does involve certain standards of investigation conducted by trained professionals, and is therefore more reliable than documents or accounts run by private individuals."
However, Ms Leow said that it is important to also think about why such documents are made.
"Before we write them off as crude or irresponsible, we have to ask ourselves why sexual violence survivors are turning to such methods to share experiences of sexual assault in the first place," she said.
"Without improving our institutional processes to deal with sexual violence, we will continue to see that hurt and rage channelled in ways that some may deem inappropriate."
Aware's Sexual Assault Care Centre saw 19 cases last year involving perpetrators who met their victims on dating apps.
Ms Leow noted that some of these cases had an element of blackmail, involving the exchange of messages or photos containing sexual content.
She said the best way to tackle the issue is through comprehensive sexuality education, which should cover emotional well-being, empathy, respect for others, healthy relationships and consent.
"If these principles are properly disseminated to the general public, we should see fewer cases of sexual violence and when cases do occur, a more supportive and understanding environment for survivors."
Under Poha, those who publish the personal information of another to cause harassment, alarm or distress, may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $5,000.
Those convicted of defamation under the Penal Code may be jailed for up to two years and fined.
WP MP Raeesah Khan referred to committee after admitting she lied to Parliament about sexual assault case
Rei Kurohi
Nov 1, 2021
SINGAPORE - Workers' Party (WP) MP Raeesah Khan will have to appear before the Committee of Privileges, after she admitted to lying in Parliament about details of a sexual assault case that she alleged was mishandled by the police.
On Monday (Nov 1), she apologised in Parliament to the Singapore Police Force and retracted an anecdote she had shared of the alleged incident.
In explaining why she had made up details of that case, Ms Raeesah, 27, said she had been a victim of sexual assault when she was 18.
Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said Ms Raeesah (Sengkang GRC) had lied to Parliament on three occasions, after clarifying details of the matter with the WP MP when she finished her statement.
She raised an official complaint against Ms Raeesah for breaching her parliamentary privilege, and asked for the matter to be referred to the Committee of Privileges, which looks into any complaint alleging breaches of parliamentary privilege. Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin agreed to do so.
Ms Raeesah had told the House during a debate on empowering women on Aug 3 that she had accompanied a 25-year-old rape victim to a police station to make a police report three years ago, and the police officer who interviewed the victim had allegedly made inappropriate comments about her dressing and the fact that she was drinking.
On Monday (Nov 1), she admitted that she had not accompanied the victim to the police station. Instead, she said the victim had shared the account in a support group for women, which Ms Raeesah herself was a part of, and that she did not have the victim's consent to share the story in Parliament.
"I did not share that I was a part of the group, as I did not have the courage to publicly admit that I was part of it. I attended the support group because I myself am a survivor of sexual assault," she said.
Ms Raeesah said she was sexually assaulted as an 18-year-old while studying abroad. The experience continues to traumatise her to this day, she added.
"Unlike the survivor whose anecdote I shared in this House, I did not have the courage to report my own assault. Yet, as a survivor, I wanted so deeply to speak up and also share the account I had heard when speaking on the motion, without revealing my own private experience.
"I should not have shared the survivor's anecdote without her consent, nor should I have said that I accompanied her to the police station when I had not. It was wrong of me to do so."
Ms Raeesah also apologised to the survivor whose story she had shared, Parliament, her Sengkang constituents and residents, the WP, and her family.
Ms Indranee noted that Ms Raeesah had confirmed that did not have any details of the police case and was thus unable to substantiate her allegation when she made her statement in August.
Her actions had resulted in “a cloud hanging over the police” and caused them to devote time and resources to investigate the alleged incident. It also does a “great disservice” to the survivors of sexual assault and rape victims, Ms Indranee added.
Exchange between Raeesah Khan and Indranee Rajah after the former admitted she lied in Parliament
In a statement posted on Facebook, Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh said Ms Raeesah should not have shared in the House an account that contained untruths.
The WP secretary-general noted that the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act gives an MP significant freedom of speech, to the extent that what is said in Parliament cannot be impeached or questioned outside Parliament.
“However, this freedom of speech does not extend to communicating untruthful accounts, even if an MP’s motives are not malicious,” Mr Singh said. “(Ms Raeesah) shared with me that she wanted to set the record straight in Parliament. This was the correct thing to do.”
Ms Indranee said she was raising the complaint to the Committee of Privileges with great reluctance as she had sympathy for Ms Raeesah’s personal circumstances.
“But as Leader of the House, I also have a responsibility and that is to ensure that in this Chamber, all MPs discharge their duties faithfully, accountably and responsibly. Any breaches of privilege have to be dealt with,” she said.
The eight-member Committee of Privileges is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament. Its other members are Ms Indranee, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, National Development Minister Desmond Lee, Mr Don Wee (Chua Chu Kang GRC) and WP MP Dennis Tan (Hougang).
Ms Indranee said she and Mr Shanmugam would recuse themselves as she had made the complaint, while his ministry was involved.
Under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, Parliament can take action against MPs found to have breached their parliamentary privileges. The punishments include a jail term not extending beyond the current session of Parliament; a fine of up to $50,000; suspension; a reprimand from the Speaker; or any combination of the above.
MPs can also have their privileges and immunities suspended, which means they can be liable to civil proceedings for anything they said in Parliament.
The late WP chief J.B. Jeyaretnam was referred to the Committee of Privileges four times – once in 1982 and three times in 1986 – for accusing the Government of tampering with the judiciary on multiple occasions, and the police of abusing their powers of detention.
He was fined $1,000 for two counts of breach of parliamentary privilege – the maximum fine at that time. Later, he was also fined $25,000 for publishing a distorted report of the committee’s proceedings and $1,000 for not declaring a pecuniary interest in a question he raised.
Jonathan needs to make his truimphant return now
What does AWARE have to say on the mother's behaviour?
One of the large concerns centred on the mother's activities outside the home, noted the family court judge. PHOTO: ST FILE
K.C. Vijayan
Senior Law Correspondent
Jan 31, 2022
SINGAPORE - A family court judge awarded care of a two-year-old girl to her lawyer father after finding issues with the mother's lifestyle, which troubled the marriage.
The couple dated for three years before marrying in December 2018, despite him knowing about her past conviction for publishing obscene photographs and her social escort background.
But "discord between the parties was almost immediate upon marriage", and the court received some 40 affidavits involving allegations and counter-claims between the two in their acrimonious battle for the care of the toddler.
One of the large concerns centred on the mother's activities outside the home, noted the judge.
The father claimed the mother was found chatting on online dating websites, and when confronted, she admitted to doing so for "money and excitement".
The father, who was represented by lawyer Foo Soon Yien of BR Law Corporation, claimed the mother would leave the child in the care of others for a long time and would often return home at odd hours.
The couple had been living together in her aunt's Bishan flat since April 2020 as tenants, but in October the aunt said he had to leave by Dec 29 that year, a move he believed was instigated by the mother.
He left with the child on Dec 27 as his concerns about leaving the child with the mother grew. The mother said it was an "abduction".
"The child has been with the father since December 2020 and I felt that there was no need to disrupt that at this time," said District Judge Shobha G. Nair last year. "As the child grows, the issue of care and control can be revisited provided the parents stay in touch with the child in a constructive way and the mother takes steps to be at the disposal of the child at all times in the night and early morning," she added.
Both parties had filed applications under the Guardianship of Infants Act with each seeking care and control of the girl.
The judge, in allowing the child to remain with the father with support from his parents, also ruled that the child be with the mother from Friday to Sunday 2pm, among other things. She will also be free to have the child with her on all public holidays from 10am to 2pm and on the eve of Chinese New Year this year, and to alternate with the first day of Chinese New Year the following year.
The judge made clear that both parties have to make joint decisions when it comes to the education and health of the child.
The mother's lawyer, Mr Alex Goh from NLC Law Asia, said she no longer did social escort activities.
But the judge pointed out that a private investigator's report and the messages exchanged between husband and wife in the recent past suggest these have probably not stopped entirely, even if they have taken on different forms.
"What is clear is that much like any form of temptation or addiction, it will not be easy to stop and I saw no steps being taken to address the root causes for the behaviour. The mother needs to appreciate what is at stake if she takes no steps to address it," said the judge.
She agreed with a 1997 apex court judgment that emphasised the need to place young children in the care of their mothers. "Its relevance is to situations where all factors are equal between parents. Natural bonds can be weakened by adult behaviour such as that displayed by the mother in this case," she said.
The mother, who was then a senior executive in an e-sports company, failed in her appeal in the High Court last November.
Dad, not mum, gets care and control of girl aged 2
One of the large concerns centred on the mother's activities outside the home, noted the family court judge. PHOTO: ST FILE
K.C. Vijayan
Senior Law Correspondent
Jan 31, 2022
SINGAPORE - A family court judge awarded care of a two-year-old girl to her lawyer father after finding issues with the mother's lifestyle, which troubled the marriage.
The couple dated for three years before marrying in December 2018, despite him knowing about her past conviction for publishing obscene photographs and her social escort background.
But "discord between the parties was almost immediate upon marriage", and the court received some 40 affidavits involving allegations and counter-claims between the two in their acrimonious battle for the care of the toddler.
One of the large concerns centred on the mother's activities outside the home, noted the judge.
The father claimed the mother was found chatting on online dating websites, and when confronted, she admitted to doing so for "money and excitement".
The father, who was represented by lawyer Foo Soon Yien of BR Law Corporation, claimed the mother would leave the child in the care of others for a long time and would often return home at odd hours.
The couple had been living together in her aunt's Bishan flat since April 2020 as tenants, but in October the aunt said he had to leave by Dec 29 that year, a move he believed was instigated by the mother.
He left with the child on Dec 27 as his concerns about leaving the child with the mother grew. The mother said it was an "abduction".
"The child has been with the father since December 2020 and I felt that there was no need to disrupt that at this time," said District Judge Shobha G. Nair last year. "As the child grows, the issue of care and control can be revisited provided the parents stay in touch with the child in a constructive way and the mother takes steps to be at the disposal of the child at all times in the night and early morning," she added.
Both parties had filed applications under the Guardianship of Infants Act with each seeking care and control of the girl.
The judge, in allowing the child to remain with the father with support from his parents, also ruled that the child be with the mother from Friday to Sunday 2pm, among other things. She will also be free to have the child with her on all public holidays from 10am to 2pm and on the eve of Chinese New Year this year, and to alternate with the first day of Chinese New Year the following year.
The judge made clear that both parties have to make joint decisions when it comes to the education and health of the child.
The mother's lawyer, Mr Alex Goh from NLC Law Asia, said she no longer did social escort activities.
But the judge pointed out that a private investigator's report and the messages exchanged between husband and wife in the recent past suggest these have probably not stopped entirely, even if they have taken on different forms.
"What is clear is that much like any form of temptation or addiction, it will not be easy to stop and I saw no steps being taken to address the root causes for the behaviour. The mother needs to appreciate what is at stake if she takes no steps to address it," said the judge.
She agreed with a 1997 apex court judgment that emphasised the need to place young children in the care of their mothers. "Its relevance is to situations where all factors are equal between parents. Natural bonds can be weakened by adult behaviour such as that displayed by the mother in this case," she said.
The mother, who was then a senior executive in an e-sports company, failed in her appeal in the High Court last November.
Better look into how AWARE is funded. Also, are there any golden taps at their premises?
Those aware cunts must be lined up and flogged 69 lashes each.
In the interests of equality, men can set up such a website, telegram group or whatever. 2 can play the same gameDoxxing of men. Let's see AWARE make a statement against doxxing and clamp down on these women.
Influencer accused of doxxing after compiling list of men on dating apps to blacklist and avoid
Ms Koh Boon Ki made a post on TikTok about creating a group chat where the personal details of the men and reasons not to date them were shared.
PHOTOS: KOH BOON KI/INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK
David Sun
Oct 18, 2021
SINGAPORE - An influencer who facilitated a group chat where the personal details of Singaporean men and reasons not to date them were shared has been accused by netizens of doxxing.
The open document purportedly compiled the details of dozens of men from anonymous users, with allegations ranging from cheating to sexual assault.
Ms Koh Boon Ki, 22, a recent pharmacy graduate from the National University of Singapore, made a post on TikTok on Sunday (Oct 17) about creating the group.
She said the group on Telegram would be for "girls from all the dating apps in Singapore" to "discuss the guys we've talked to and dates we've been on".
She added that she was tired of having to look out for red flags when it came to dating, and should know all about a person before even talking to him.
The post by Ms Koh, who has more than 112,000 followers on TikTok, has been viewed more than 180,000 times.
Shortly after the post, a Telegram group titled "sg dating adventures" was created along with a Google spreadsheettitled "Dating Guide SG" shared in the chat.
The document was split into two tabs, labelled "Blacklist" and "Avoid".
The allegations against these men ranged from cheating, to coercion and sexual assault.
The group and document purportedly grew as more users joined and contributed on Sunday.
But the chat soon devolved to include discussions about the sexual prowess or lack thereof of certain men.
While many TikTok users lauded Ms Koh for her actions, others urged her to shut it down, saying it could be abused to frame innocent people.
Ms Koh was accused of doxxing and harassment by other TikTok users as the document and chat shared personal details of the men such as their full names and contact details.
In an Instagram post in the early hours of Monday morning (Oct 18), Ms Koh claimed the group chat was closed.
The document however, appears to still be online but with access limited to certain users.
Ms Koh did not respond to requests for comment.
Criminal lawyer Joshua Tong of Kalco Law said Ms Koh may be liable to criminal prosecution under the Protection from Harassment Act (Poha).
He said that as a popular influencer, by creating the chat and document and posting about it on TikTok, she should know that it would be shared widely and would go viral.
"Given the wide reach and potential shame and embarrassment that it may cause the victims to an extremely wide audience, this may be seen as more aggravating and the court may deem that a strict deterrent sentence is required," said Mr Tong.
He added that while both the creators and contributors would likely be caught under Poha, the first port of call for the authorities would likely be the creator of the group.
"It's like uploading and downloading illegal content," he said.
"The authorities usually go after the ones who are uploading or hosting."
But Mr Tong warned that those who contributed can also be prosecuted should the authorities deem it fit.
Ms Kelly Leow, communications manager of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), warned that endeavours like that by Ms Koh are potentially problematic.
"There is always the chance of inaccurate or possibly malicious information being submitted through an open document," she said.
"The criminal justice system, while not flawless in its handling of sexual violence cases, does involve certain standards of investigation conducted by trained professionals, and is therefore more reliable than documents or accounts run by private individuals."
However, Ms Leow said that it is important to also think about why such documents are made.
"Before we write them off as crude or irresponsible, we have to ask ourselves why sexual violence survivors are turning to such methods to share experiences of sexual assault in the first place," she said.
"Without improving our institutional processes to deal with sexual violence, we will continue to see that hurt and rage channelled in ways that some may deem inappropriate."
Aware's Sexual Assault Care Centre saw 19 cases last year involving perpetrators who met their victims on dating apps.
Ms Leow noted that some of these cases had an element of blackmail, involving the exchange of messages or photos containing sexual content.
She said the best way to tackle the issue is through comprehensive sexuality education, which should cover emotional well-being, empathy, respect for others, healthy relationships and consent.
"If these principles are properly disseminated to the general public, we should see fewer cases of sexual violence and when cases do occur, a more supportive and understanding environment for survivors."
Under Poha, those who publish the personal information of another to cause harassment, alarm or distress, may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $5,000.
Those convicted of defamation under the Penal Code may be jailed for up to two years and fined.
https://wakeup.sg/ethoz-singapore/
February 7, 2022
in Singapore News
1
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The names of victims in this story have been redacted. We have used acronyms to replace the name of the staff involved in the exchange of lewd emails.
Wake Up Singapore came into possession of emails and photographs exchanged between the staff of Ethoz Group Singapore. These emails contain photos of ladies who had applied for positions at the company, and sexual remarks made by the staff of Ethoz.
Looking at these photos, it is unclear if these were photos attached to the applicants’ CVs, or photos extracted from their social media profiles.
We understand that at least 4 members were actively involved in these email exchanges, and some of these emails were copied to the entire “Workshop Management” group. We further understand that some of these staff are part of the senior management in Ethoz. We set out below some snippets of these emails:
These emails are self-explanatory. The references are explicit, and the behaviour is brazen. The fact that the entire “SG Workshop Management” mailing list is copied to some of these emails appears deeply troubling, to say the least.
Ethoz is led by its female Chief Executive Officer, Ms Cindy Oh. The have an impressive rating of 4.6/5 in Google. Most of the 321 reviews on Google sung praises of the customer service offered by Ethoz.
However, the Glassdoor Reviews for the company, which are submitted by employees, paint a very different picture. Amongst 33 submissions, only 21% of employees stated that they would recommend the workplace to a friend. They received a dismal rating of 2.4 stars out of 5.
Some common gripes in the negative reviews included micromanagement and a management that is keen to “protect its own rice bowl“. 3 1-star reviews from former employers are appended below.
Evidently, for some, their stint at Ethoz Singapore has left such a bitter taste in their mouth that they do not bother to leave feedback for the management as, to them, it is an exercise in futility.
The most recent 5-star review was marked “To be reviewed” and, for some reason, only spoke about the location of the branch.
This conversation has yet to be mainstreamed in Singapore, but in light of events such as this, we need to seriously consider if we should be continuing to normalise this practice of attaching photos to CVs and resumes. Unless you are applying to be a model, or explicitly asked, we should do away with the need for attaching photos to job applications.
We have reached out to Ethoz Group for comment, and provided them with unredacted copies of the emails.
“Bring her home for personal use” – Photos of applicants & sexual remarks exchanged by company management
The exchanges were done using Company emails.
by Wake Up SingaporeFebruary 7, 2022
in Singapore News
1
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on Telegram
The names of victims in this story have been redacted. We have used acronyms to replace the name of the staff involved in the exchange of lewd emails.
Wake Up Singapore came into possession of emails and photographs exchanged between the staff of Ethoz Group Singapore. These emails contain photos of ladies who had applied for positions at the company, and sexual remarks made by the staff of Ethoz.
Looking at these photos, it is unclear if these were photos attached to the applicants’ CVs, or photos extracted from their social media profiles.
We understand that at least 4 members were actively involved in these email exchanges, and some of these emails were copied to the entire “Workshop Management” group. We further understand that some of these staff are part of the senior management in Ethoz. We set out below some snippets of these emails:
The following screenshots are not all from the same email chain, but from a series of emails sent over a period of time.
These emails are self-explanatory. The references are explicit, and the behaviour is brazen. The fact that the entire “SG Workshop Management” mailing list is copied to some of these emails appears deeply troubling, to say the least.
Who are Ethoz Group?
Ethoz Group Singapore is a car rental company with more than 100 employees according to LinkedIn. They have since expanded into capital financing and equipment leasing services. They have 2 branches in Singapore; one in Bukit Batok and the other in Tampines.Ethoz is led by its female Chief Executive Officer, Ms Cindy Oh. The have an impressive rating of 4.6/5 in Google. Most of the 321 reviews on Google sung praises of the customer service offered by Ethoz.
However, the Glassdoor Reviews for the company, which are submitted by employees, paint a very different picture. Amongst 33 submissions, only 21% of employees stated that they would recommend the workplace to a friend. They received a dismal rating of 2.4 stars out of 5.
Some common gripes in the negative reviews included micromanagement and a management that is keen to “protect its own rice bowl“. 3 1-star reviews from former employers are appended below.
Evidently, for some, their stint at Ethoz Singapore has left such a bitter taste in their mouth that they do not bother to leave feedback for the management as, to them, it is an exercise in futility.
The most recent 5-star review was marked “To be reviewed” and, for some reason, only spoke about the location of the branch.
Should we dispense with attaching photographs to CVs?
In many other countries, employers are dispensing with the need for attaching photographs to job applications. The rationale for dispensation is simple – in most cases, there is no link between an applicant’s outward appearance and their competency. Having photos may also lead to discrimination, or even undue bias, on the basis of what someone look like.This conversation has yet to be mainstreamed in Singapore, but in light of events such as this, we need to seriously consider if we should be continuing to normalise this practice of attaching photos to CVs and resumes. Unless you are applying to be a model, or explicitly asked, we should do away with the need for attaching photos to job applications.
We have reached out to Ethoz Group for comment, and provided them with unredacted copies of the emails.
17% of the Ukrainian army is women.
AWARE fought for more women to be on the boards of directors of companies.
Let's see AWARE fight as hard for Sinkies women to be in the army.
Cherry-picking.
AWARE fought for more women to be on the boards of directors of companies.
Let's see AWARE fight as hard for Sinkies women to be in the army.
Cherry-picking.
To play its part in women's equality and world peace, AWARE should mobilise female Sinkies to go join the foreign brigade.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for women to be equally represented in the army.
Gasp, Dot is shocked that AWARE is not seizing the opportunity to push for women to have the privilege of serving in the army.
MAR 10, 2022
What Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other ministers said in Parliament about Russia attacking Ukraine is a wake-up call for all Singaporeans (S'pore imposes sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war, March 1).
Being a small country, we are vulnerable to all kinds of threats.
Nobody wants war, but if we are attacked, are we ready?
Some say we have our reservists and enough male citizens to handle such a situation.
But in times of war, to protect our sovereignty, all citizens have a role to play.
Female citizens can be trained to use weapons like rifles and hand grenades. They can also learn basic survival skills and basic medical knowledge on treating gun wounds.
When our male citizens go to war, they will then not have to worry as much about their mothers, wives, sisters or daughters, because they know the women can better protect themselves.
Everyone has a part to play to protect our country. Let us prepare, and hope that we will not have to use these skills.
Elliot Taylor Hong
Gasp, Dot is shocked that AWARE is not seizing the opportunity to push for women to have the privilege of serving in the army.
Forum: All citizens can be vigilant and prepared for war
MAR 10, 2022
What Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other ministers said in Parliament about Russia attacking Ukraine is a wake-up call for all Singaporeans (S'pore imposes sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war, March 1).
Being a small country, we are vulnerable to all kinds of threats.
Nobody wants war, but if we are attacked, are we ready?
Some say we have our reservists and enough male citizens to handle such a situation.
But in times of war, to protect our sovereignty, all citizens have a role to play.
Female citizens can be trained to use weapons like rifles and hand grenades. They can also learn basic survival skills and basic medical knowledge on treating gun wounds.
When our male citizens go to war, they will then not have to worry as much about their mothers, wives, sisters or daughters, because they know the women can better protect themselves.
Everyone has a part to play to protect our country. Let us prepare, and hope that we will not have to use these skills.
Elliot Taylor Hong
Why isn't AWARE pushing for equal opportunity for women to have the privilege of doing National Service?
Women may in future also be required to do NS due to Singapore's declining fertility rate. PHOTO: MINDEF
Mar 24, 2022
Images of Ukrainian women defending their homeland against Russian invaders have been shared the world over. Indeed, Ukraine has one of the highest rates of female military service in the world and its 2018 law granting servicewomen equal rights is lauded for catalysing broader gains in gender equality.
As the world watches Ukraine mount an unexpectedly stout defence, gender equality advocates have been roused to re-evaluate the role of women in national defence. In Singapore, some may wonder if it is time for women to be equally included in our national defence framework.
Over the years, Singapore has recognised and celebrated the contributions of women to the progress of our nation. The Ministry of Social and Family Development declared 2021 as the Year of Celebrating SG Women, and the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a comprehensive review of women's issues relating to sexual violence, voyeurism and differential treatment.
Amendments to the Women's Charter have been made to allow couples to be jointly responsible for divorce. Gender discrimination at the workplace is under the spotlight. Gendered fault lines in our society are also being scrutinised.
Extending the national service (NS) obligation to women is hence an opportunity to further include women through our nation's defence framework, in turn allowing men and women to share more of their lived experiences and diversifying their collective skill sets. As the anthropology professor Ayse Gul Altinay writes, "given equal suffrage rights, there is no other citizenship practice that differentiates as radically between men and women as compulsory male conscription".
In her third IPS-Nathan Lecture last year, Ms Corinna Lim, executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), called for extending mandatory NS to women. She also recommended expanding NS beyond the traditional domains of the army, navy, air force and police.
Singaporean women shoulder most of our society's care work. Even when not directly doing the caring, they disproportionately bear the mental loads of running homes, raising children and caring for the elderly, in addition to gainful employment.
Gender-neutral conscription changes the narratives around what have long been considered the distinct domains of "women's work" and "men's work".
Furthermore, technology has increased the ways in which defence is enacted. The Singapore Armed Forces is slated to establish a new Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of this year. In time, having women in the DIS could also help rectify the gender gap in high-paying IT jobs.
If women were included and NS was expanded beyond the new DIS to include healthcare and social services, we would be socialising men and women to contribute in less gendered ways, with better recognition of their individual strengths. Recruits would also gain a diverse and comprehensive training ground to prepare for future crises.
Women may in future also be required to do NS due to Singapore's declining fertility rate - an observation made in 2015 by businessman Ho Kwon Ping. This need has only become more salient since.
It is not just equality, but also pragmatism which helps to explain the growing tendency for countries to include women in their military draft. France, Israel, Norway and Sweden are among several countries that already do this, and Germany is considering following suit.
ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
To be clear, we are not arguing that NS obligations should be gender-neutral because males and females are identical. They are not. Biological realities dictate that only females can gestate babies, and that males tend to be bigger and physically stronger than females.
However, biological realities need not constrain a broad spectrum of individuals from serving and participating in the defence framework of Singapore. Indeed, each gender contains within it vast diversity, which explains why not every male NSF is suited to being an officer cadet.
Interestingly, Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew wanted our NS obligation to apply to all citizens. Drawing inspiration from Israel, he sought to entrench the desire of Singaporeans to defend their nation regardless of sex. However, then Defence Minister Goh Keng Swee declined on the basis that Mindef would have to carry an extra burden.
One justification proffered for excluding women from NS is that the pain of childbearing is an "unofficial" form of national service that they endure. Yet, to bear children is a conscious choice that modern Singaporean women make. NS obligations, on the other hand, cannot be cast as a conscious choice and a conscientious objector will face a jail term instead. Furthermore, with childbirth increasingly taking place later in life, it does not conflict with NS obligations, and women who are pregnant or lactating can be exempted from NS and reservist duties.
Beyond this clear disanalogy between NS and childbirth, defining NS along gendered lines propagates the notion that men are best suited to defending a nation, and women, best suited to raising families. The truth is more complex, excluding and discouraging women and men from many endeavours they are perfectly suited to.
Some argue that such socio-cultural trends are part of our traditions and do not cause much harm. Yet, if this was really true, advanced economies globally would not be striding towards a more equitable playing field between the sexes.
Notably, it is increasingly recognised that it is not only women who gain from this levelling. Men, too, gain immensely from the opportunity to take a more active role in child-rearing and other care work. Whole-of-societies benefit when people feel less straitjacketed by gender stereotypes.
It would also be a powerful cultural signal in favour of gender equality. The two-year sacrifice in one's prime is a sensitive issue for many Singaporean men. It often provokes a mixture of pride in one's service, but also resentment that their sacrifice is sometimes unshared and underappreciated.
NS is often wielded as a mark of legitimacy, one that only men have access to. A man might defend his Singaporean-ness by saying "I did NS, ok!". This contribution is also financially recognised through higher wages and other privileges that preclude women.
Women, however, have a head start in education and employment during the formative time of early adulthood. Entering the workforce earlier, they tend to achieve financial stability more quickly than their male peers, which remains a source of angst for young Singaporean men. These contentions undergird our gender identities in Singapore, and so the pursuit of gender equality requires that we find ways to resolve them.
South Korea provides a cautionary tale. The 2016 murder of a woman triggered an examination of attitudes towards women in Korean society. Campaigns like #MeToo and #mylifeisnotyourporn received support from politicians like President Moon Jae-In. The aim was to break down toxic attitudes and gendered stereotypes, but this triggered an anti-feminist backlash from young Korean men, galvanising support for more conservative parties.
One of the friction points was the fact that Korean men (but not women) do two years of military service. Many young men felt that, because of this, Korean women had it "easy" compared to them. Experts posit that decades of academic ultra-competitiveness, high youth unemployment and compulsory national service explain why younger Korean men are now generally more anti-feminist than older men. Attempts to cut through to these men that did not address this key source of anger and discontent have had limited success.
One oft-cited downside of extending NS to women is that, at the younger end of the spectrum, there could be a labour force shrinkage. However, with the ageing workforce and normalisation of lifelong learning, this shrinkage will provide senior workers the slack necessary to thrive for longer periods in new vocations.
Another issue is that women may be unenthusiastic about joining NS. Surveys have shown that, although an overwhelming majority of Singaporeans support NS, only between 13 per cent and 22 per cent of young women are in favour of female conscription.
But it is worth remembering that this is not a gendered response. Archival data suggests that when NS was first introduced there was significant opposition, including street demonstrations and protests. Yet, a few generations on, it is widely supported by Singaporean men. Making our NS obligation gender-neutral will require the moral courage from our parliamentarians and female recruits that was once required of our male recruits as they faced conscription for the first time.
Including women in NS and expanding its scope will not resolve all issues of sex-based discrimination and gender disparity, but it will reverse one significant and highly symbolic instance of it. If implemented well, it could allow Singaporeans of both sexes to lessen divides, diversify responsibilities, fortify existing support structures, and build social resilience through varied experiences. In the process, we would be unshackling our citizens from certain gender stereotypes and levelling the playing field to create a more resilient and multi-skilled population.
Time for women to serve NS and challenge outmoded gender norms
Including women in national service will not resolve all issues of gender inequality, but it will address a highly symbolic instance of it.
Kalpana Vignehsa and R Avinash
Women may in future also be required to do NS due to Singapore's declining fertility rate. PHOTO: MINDEF
Mar 24, 2022
Images of Ukrainian women defending their homeland against Russian invaders have been shared the world over. Indeed, Ukraine has one of the highest rates of female military service in the world and its 2018 law granting servicewomen equal rights is lauded for catalysing broader gains in gender equality.
As the world watches Ukraine mount an unexpectedly stout defence, gender equality advocates have been roused to re-evaluate the role of women in national defence. In Singapore, some may wonder if it is time for women to be equally included in our national defence framework.
Over the years, Singapore has recognised and celebrated the contributions of women to the progress of our nation. The Ministry of Social and Family Development declared 2021 as the Year of Celebrating SG Women, and the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a comprehensive review of women's issues relating to sexual violence, voyeurism and differential treatment.
Amendments to the Women's Charter have been made to allow couples to be jointly responsible for divorce. Gender discrimination at the workplace is under the spotlight. Gendered fault lines in our society are also being scrutinised.
Extending the national service (NS) obligation to women is hence an opportunity to further include women through our nation's defence framework, in turn allowing men and women to share more of their lived experiences and diversifying their collective skill sets. As the anthropology professor Ayse Gul Altinay writes, "given equal suffrage rights, there is no other citizenship practice that differentiates as radically between men and women as compulsory male conscription".
In her third IPS-Nathan Lecture last year, Ms Corinna Lim, executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), called for extending mandatory NS to women. She also recommended expanding NS beyond the traditional domains of the army, navy, air force and police.
Singaporean women shoulder most of our society's care work. Even when not directly doing the caring, they disproportionately bear the mental loads of running homes, raising children and caring for the elderly, in addition to gainful employment.
Gender-neutral conscription changes the narratives around what have long been considered the distinct domains of "women's work" and "men's work".
Furthermore, technology has increased the ways in which defence is enacted. The Singapore Armed Forces is slated to establish a new Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of this year. In time, having women in the DIS could also help rectify the gender gap in high-paying IT jobs.
If women were included and NS was expanded beyond the new DIS to include healthcare and social services, we would be socialising men and women to contribute in less gendered ways, with better recognition of their individual strengths. Recruits would also gain a diverse and comprehensive training ground to prepare for future crises.
Women may in future also be required to do NS due to Singapore's declining fertility rate - an observation made in 2015 by businessman Ho Kwon Ping. This need has only become more salient since.
It is not just equality, but also pragmatism which helps to explain the growing tendency for countries to include women in their military draft. France, Israel, Norway and Sweden are among several countries that already do this, and Germany is considering following suit.
ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
To be clear, we are not arguing that NS obligations should be gender-neutral because males and females are identical. They are not. Biological realities dictate that only females can gestate babies, and that males tend to be bigger and physically stronger than females.
However, biological realities need not constrain a broad spectrum of individuals from serving and participating in the defence framework of Singapore. Indeed, each gender contains within it vast diversity, which explains why not every male NSF is suited to being an officer cadet.
Interestingly, Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew wanted our NS obligation to apply to all citizens. Drawing inspiration from Israel, he sought to entrench the desire of Singaporeans to defend their nation regardless of sex. However, then Defence Minister Goh Keng Swee declined on the basis that Mindef would have to carry an extra burden.
One justification proffered for excluding women from NS is that the pain of childbearing is an "unofficial" form of national service that they endure. Yet, to bear children is a conscious choice that modern Singaporean women make. NS obligations, on the other hand, cannot be cast as a conscious choice and a conscientious objector will face a jail term instead. Furthermore, with childbirth increasingly taking place later in life, it does not conflict with NS obligations, and women who are pregnant or lactating can be exempted from NS and reservist duties.
Beyond this clear disanalogy between NS and childbirth, defining NS along gendered lines propagates the notion that men are best suited to defending a nation, and women, best suited to raising families. The truth is more complex, excluding and discouraging women and men from many endeavours they are perfectly suited to.
Some argue that such socio-cultural trends are part of our traditions and do not cause much harm. Yet, if this was really true, advanced economies globally would not be striding towards a more equitable playing field between the sexes.
Notably, it is increasingly recognised that it is not only women who gain from this levelling. Men, too, gain immensely from the opportunity to take a more active role in child-rearing and other care work. Whole-of-societies benefit when people feel less straitjacketed by gender stereotypes.
It would also be a powerful cultural signal in favour of gender equality. The two-year sacrifice in one's prime is a sensitive issue for many Singaporean men. It often provokes a mixture of pride in one's service, but also resentment that their sacrifice is sometimes unshared and underappreciated.
NS is often wielded as a mark of legitimacy, one that only men have access to. A man might defend his Singaporean-ness by saying "I did NS, ok!". This contribution is also financially recognised through higher wages and other privileges that preclude women.
Women, however, have a head start in education and employment during the formative time of early adulthood. Entering the workforce earlier, they tend to achieve financial stability more quickly than their male peers, which remains a source of angst for young Singaporean men. These contentions undergird our gender identities in Singapore, and so the pursuit of gender equality requires that we find ways to resolve them.
South Korea provides a cautionary tale. The 2016 murder of a woman triggered an examination of attitudes towards women in Korean society. Campaigns like #MeToo and #mylifeisnotyourporn received support from politicians like President Moon Jae-In. The aim was to break down toxic attitudes and gendered stereotypes, but this triggered an anti-feminist backlash from young Korean men, galvanising support for more conservative parties.
One of the friction points was the fact that Korean men (but not women) do two years of military service. Many young men felt that, because of this, Korean women had it "easy" compared to them. Experts posit that decades of academic ultra-competitiveness, high youth unemployment and compulsory national service explain why younger Korean men are now generally more anti-feminist than older men. Attempts to cut through to these men that did not address this key source of anger and discontent have had limited success.
One oft-cited downside of extending NS to women is that, at the younger end of the spectrum, there could be a labour force shrinkage. However, with the ageing workforce and normalisation of lifelong learning, this shrinkage will provide senior workers the slack necessary to thrive for longer periods in new vocations.
Another issue is that women may be unenthusiastic about joining NS. Surveys have shown that, although an overwhelming majority of Singaporeans support NS, only between 13 per cent and 22 per cent of young women are in favour of female conscription.
But it is worth remembering that this is not a gendered response. Archival data suggests that when NS was first introduced there was significant opposition, including street demonstrations and protests. Yet, a few generations on, it is widely supported by Singaporean men. Making our NS obligation gender-neutral will require the moral courage from our parliamentarians and female recruits that was once required of our male recruits as they faced conscription for the first time.
Including women in NS and expanding its scope will not resolve all issues of sex-based discrimination and gender disparity, but it will reverse one significant and highly symbolic instance of it. If implemented well, it could allow Singaporeans of both sexes to lessen divides, diversify responsibilities, fortify existing support structures, and build social resilience through varied experiences. In the process, we would be unshackling our citizens from certain gender stereotypes and levelling the playing field to create a more resilient and multi-skilled population.
- Dr Kalpana Vignehsa is research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore. R Avinash is a research assistant at the same institute.
What is AWARE's position on this? Or AWARE pretends that it is not aware of this issue?
MAR 26, 2022
I agree that it is time to reconsider national service for women (Time for women to serve NS and challenge outmoded gender norms, March 24).
The requirement that only men serve NS is an example of sex discrimination and there should be a judicial review of the Enlistment Act.
Limiting conscripts to men sends a wrong signal that women are unqualified to serve in the military regardless of individual capabilities and preferences.
Such outmoded thinking reflects the view that a woman's duty is at home.
Because women are allowed to join the armed forces as regulars and volunteers, the Enlistment Act governing men-only conscription does not make sense and we should end this antiquated law.
Sim Joo Geok
Forum: Time to end antiquated law that NS is only for men and consider NS for women
MAR 26, 2022
I agree that it is time to reconsider national service for women (Time for women to serve NS and challenge outmoded gender norms, March 24).
The requirement that only men serve NS is an example of sex discrimination and there should be a judicial review of the Enlistment Act.
Limiting conscripts to men sends a wrong signal that women are unqualified to serve in the military regardless of individual capabilities and preferences.
Such outmoded thinking reflects the view that a woman's duty is at home.
Because women are allowed to join the armed forces as regulars and volunteers, the Enlistment Act governing men-only conscription does not make sense and we should end this antiquated law.
Sim Joo Geok
Women pushing for gender equality without accepting that there are gender differences are pushing their selfish agenda.
Apr 13, 2022
There has been a lot of buzz recently on the subject of gender equality after the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development was released.
I do support this call for equality. In particular, women should be given equal pay and equal opportunities to take on more responsible roles on the basis of competence and ability, and not be discriminated against because of their gender.
However, we need to consider that there also are differences between the genders and not take the position that all things should be "equal", even at the expense of not acknowledging the differences which are biological and innate.
For instance, women can be prone to hormonal changes - they can be affected by monthly menstrual cramps and emotional fluctuations - and they are recognised to be weaker in terms of muscle strength and physical prowess.
These do not make them less equal than men, but the differences need to be noted, especially in areas of work that require physical strength.
Allowance should be given to women who have hormonal problems and they should not be taken to task without being understood.
In the area of relationships, men may be influenced more by physical attraction while women may value emotional ties more.
I am concerned that some of my female patients complain that some of their male colleagues harass them by telling them that they are not physically attractive. My female patients who are being treated for depression are severely affected by this.
Men and women should treat one another as colleagues with respect.
Quek Koh Choon (Dr)
Forum: Consider biological differences too in discussing gender equality
Apr 13, 2022
There has been a lot of buzz recently on the subject of gender equality after the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development was released.
I do support this call for equality. In particular, women should be given equal pay and equal opportunities to take on more responsible roles on the basis of competence and ability, and not be discriminated against because of their gender.
However, we need to consider that there also are differences between the genders and not take the position that all things should be "equal", even at the expense of not acknowledging the differences which are biological and innate.
For instance, women can be prone to hormonal changes - they can be affected by monthly menstrual cramps and emotional fluctuations - and they are recognised to be weaker in terms of muscle strength and physical prowess.
These do not make them less equal than men, but the differences need to be noted, especially in areas of work that require physical strength.
Allowance should be given to women who have hormonal problems and they should not be taken to task without being understood.
In the area of relationships, men may be influenced more by physical attraction while women may value emotional ties more.
I am concerned that some of my female patients complain that some of their male colleagues harass them by telling them that they are not physically attractive. My female patients who are being treated for depression are severely affected by this.
Men and women should treat one another as colleagues with respect.
Quek Koh Choon (Dr)
Only 87 members attend the AGM and Aware claims that it is fighting for all of Singapore's women!?
Ms Ong So Chin has been an Aware board member since 2016 and is a journalist and editor with over 30 years of experience. PHOTO: ST FILE
Tham Yuen-C
Senior Political Correspondent
Apr 26, 2022
SINGAPORE - Women's rights and gender-equality group Aware elected a new board on Saturday (April 23), with editorial and public relations consultant and veteran journalist Ong Soh Chin elected president.
At the annual general meeting, held over Zoom for the third year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Ong ran unopposed for her first term as Aware president, taking over from Ms Margaret Thomas, who held the position from 2018 to 2022.
Incumbent treasurer Aarathi Arumugam retained her position on the board unopposed.
Meanwhile, two candidates vied for the post of assistant treasurer, while 10 candidates competed for the six board member posts.
In an e-mail interview with The Straits Times on Tuesday (April 26), Ms Ong, who has been an Aware board member since 2016, said she has always identified as a feminist and felt it was time to step up and contribute meaningfully to the cause at this stage of her life.
She added that it is an exciting time for Aware and for Singapore in general, as the country enters a new chapter in its journey to gender equality amid the Government's White Paper on Singapore Women's Development.
Noting that many of the issues covered in the White Paper and in recent government announcements - such as the impending anti-discrimination law, increased support for caregivers and single parents, and the need to respect LGBT+ communities - have been important planks of Aware's advocacy, Ms Ong said the group will continue to work with supporters from civil society, the private sector and the government to further these causes.
"We will... be looking at advancing conversations and actions in the public sphere, to show that gender equality is a win-win situation for all, and not just women," added the journalist and editor with over 30 years of experience.
Ms Ong has worked at various publications including The Straits Times, where she covered arts, entertainment, politics and current affairs, among other things.
She has also headed the communications and editorial departments at Netflix, the Institute of Policy Studies and Shell.
Meanwhile, Ms Thomas, the outgoing president and one of the founding members of Aware, said the most significant development during her time as Aware president was the landmark speech in September 2020 by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam when he argued the case for gender equality to be made a fundamental value in Singapore.
She added that this has been the mission of the group since its founding in 1985, "so it was very gratifying to hear a Cabinet Minister finally emphatically agree with our mission".
Ms Thomas will continue to be a board member.
Aware executive director Corinna Lim, noted that the board "features not just ethnic diversity, but age diversity - with members in their 20s and their 70s - and a range of professional experience, with individuals from academia, civil service, law and different corporate environments".
The other members of the board are Ms Elisa Kang, Ms Penelope Shone, Ms Teo You Yenn and Ms Zheng Huifen, who have served at least one previous term on the board, and Ms Fikri Alkhatib, Ms Kathy Park and Ms Laavanya Kathiravelu, who are newcomers.
In all, 87 Aware members attended the annual general meeting.
Aware said in its statement that further assignment of board positions for the first and second vice-presidents and secretary will take place at the new board's first meeting next month.
Women's rights group Aware elects new board, veteran journalist named president
Ms Ong So Chin has been an Aware board member since 2016 and is a journalist and editor with over 30 years of experience. PHOTO: ST FILE
Tham Yuen-C
Senior Political Correspondent
Apr 26, 2022
SINGAPORE - Women's rights and gender-equality group Aware elected a new board on Saturday (April 23), with editorial and public relations consultant and veteran journalist Ong Soh Chin elected president.
At the annual general meeting, held over Zoom for the third year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Ong ran unopposed for her first term as Aware president, taking over from Ms Margaret Thomas, who held the position from 2018 to 2022.
Incumbent treasurer Aarathi Arumugam retained her position on the board unopposed.
Meanwhile, two candidates vied for the post of assistant treasurer, while 10 candidates competed for the six board member posts.
In an e-mail interview with The Straits Times on Tuesday (April 26), Ms Ong, who has been an Aware board member since 2016, said she has always identified as a feminist and felt it was time to step up and contribute meaningfully to the cause at this stage of her life.
She added that it is an exciting time for Aware and for Singapore in general, as the country enters a new chapter in its journey to gender equality amid the Government's White Paper on Singapore Women's Development.
Noting that many of the issues covered in the White Paper and in recent government announcements - such as the impending anti-discrimination law, increased support for caregivers and single parents, and the need to respect LGBT+ communities - have been important planks of Aware's advocacy, Ms Ong said the group will continue to work with supporters from civil society, the private sector and the government to further these causes.
"We will... be looking at advancing conversations and actions in the public sphere, to show that gender equality is a win-win situation for all, and not just women," added the journalist and editor with over 30 years of experience.
Ms Ong has worked at various publications including The Straits Times, where she covered arts, entertainment, politics and current affairs, among other things.
She has also headed the communications and editorial departments at Netflix, the Institute of Policy Studies and Shell.
Meanwhile, Ms Thomas, the outgoing president and one of the founding members of Aware, said the most significant development during her time as Aware president was the landmark speech in September 2020 by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam when he argued the case for gender equality to be made a fundamental value in Singapore.
She added that this has been the mission of the group since its founding in 1985, "so it was very gratifying to hear a Cabinet Minister finally emphatically agree with our mission".
Ms Thomas will continue to be a board member.
Aware executive director Corinna Lim, noted that the board "features not just ethnic diversity, but age diversity - with members in their 20s and their 70s - and a range of professional experience, with individuals from academia, civil service, law and different corporate environments".
The other members of the board are Ms Elisa Kang, Ms Penelope Shone, Ms Teo You Yenn and Ms Zheng Huifen, who have served at least one previous term on the board, and Ms Fikri Alkhatib, Ms Kathy Park and Ms Laavanya Kathiravelu, who are newcomers.
In all, 87 Aware members attended the annual general meeting.
Aware said in its statement that further assignment of board positions for the first and second vice-presidents and secretary will take place at the new board's first meeting next month.
Ex-Grab driver acquitted of trying to rape drunk passenger
Selina Lum
Senior Law Correspondent
Apr 27, 2022
SINGAPORE - A former Grab driver accused of trying to rape a drunk passenger was acquitted of all charges on Wednesday (April 27) after the High Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman lacked the capacity to consent.
Tan Yew Sin, 47, had admitted that he fondled the woman, who was then 19, and tried to have sex with her in his Kia Carens in the early hours of May 19, 2018, but said the acts were consensual.
He contested one count each of attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration and outrage of modesty.
Tan had picked her up from a bar at Seletar Aerospace Park after the woman's friend booked a Grab car to take her home to a condominium at Jalan Loyang Besar.
He testified that they started kissing after he went to the back seat to check the address on her identity card, so that he could dial her unit number on the intercom at her condominium.
She was later found lying in the middle of the road some distance from the condo by another Grab driver, who called the police.
The woman could not remember the events in the car, due to what is known as an alcohol-induced blackout, and thus could not give evidence as to whether she actually consented to the sexual acts.
An alcohol-induced blackout refers to gaps in a person's memory for events that occurred while they are intoxicated.
During Tan's trial, experts for both sides agreed that while alcohol affects the ability of the brain to encode memories, a person experiencing such a blackout may still retain the ability to understand the nature and consequences of their actions.
On Wednesday, in clearing Tan of all three charges, Justice Pang Khang Chau cited a precedent case and noted that the mere fact that the woman was intoxicated was insufficient to establish lack of capacity to consent.
What the court needs to determine, he said, is whether the woman had lost the capacity to understand and to decide.
Justice Pang said there were several points that night where the woman demonstrated such capacity.
First, at the bar, she decided to reject her friend's offer to send her home and repeatedly emphasised that she was okay, to avoid worrying her friend.
Upon arriving at her condominium, the woman told Tan that she was not ready to leave the car. She could also be heard in the audio of the in-car camera to be searching for her wallet in order to pay for the car ride.
At one point in the car, she started saying "no" and pushing Tan's hands away.
After the sexual encounter, when Tan asked if she was okay, she replied yes, before telling him "just drive".
Justice Pang added that he generally accepts Tan's account of events, which has been materially consistent since the first statement he gave to the police after his arrest.
It is particularly relevant that Tan gave the police statement at a point in time when he could not know that the woman was unable to remember what had happened.
It is also significant that his account is corroborated by the audio recordings from the in-car camera, said the judge.
The judge added that Tan genuinely believed that the woman had the capacity to consent.
He noted that the audio recording captured Tan telling her "I can't put it in", followed by sounds of shuffling.
"This statement must have been made because the accused believed that the complainant was able to understand what he was saying and react accordingly and appropriately in a consensual manner to what he said," the judge said.
Petition to remove Amber Heard from Aquaman sequel nears 3m signatures
Actress Amber Heard is embroiled in a defamation suit with her ex-husband Johnny Depp. PHOTO: AFP
Suzanne Sng
May 2, 2022
LOS ANGELES - An online petition to have actress Amber Heard, the ex-wife of actor Johnny Depp, removed from the upcoming Aquaman sequel has been gathering steam.
The long-standing Change.org petition, which was started in 2020, has seen the number of signatures reach 2.9 million as of Monday (May 2), nearing its goal of three million.
The surge comes as the former couple battle it out in court in a defamation case that began in April.
The 58-year-old Pirates Of The Caribbean actor is suing Heard, 36, for US$50 million (S$69 million) over a column she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse". Heard has counter-sued for US$100 million, saying Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.
As juicy details from their marriage were made public, the number of signatures went up by one million over the past week, even though filming had already wrapped on Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom in January.
Heard, who had a meaty part as Princess Mera in the 2018 hit Aquaman movie opposite Jason Momoa, reprises her role as Aquaman's love interest in the upcoming sequel, due out in March 2023.
However, according to film critic Grace Randolph, who tweeted last Thursday (April 28), Heard has "less than 10 minutes of screentime in Aquaman 2".
Selected members of the press reportedly had a chance to watch previews of the movie, currently in post-production. It is not known if their acrimonious divorce played a part in the reduction of her role.
The former couple had finalised their divorce in 2017 after two years of marriage.
During the court case, Depp said he never struck Heard or any woman and that Heard's allegations cost him "everything".
A new Pirates movie was put on hold - he had played the iconic Jack Sparrow character in the movies from 2003 to 2017 - and he was dropped from the Fantastic Beasts film franchise (2016 to present), a Harry Potter spinoff.
On social media, his fans have been vocal that Heard should suffer the same consequences as him.
They have also suggested that Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, who starred opposite Momoa in the fantasy series, was the perfect actress to replace Heard in the Aquaman sequel.
Waiting to see AWARE issue a strong response to Ng Eng Hen.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen cautioned that enlisting women into NS would delay their entry into workforce. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Kok Yufeng
Transport Correspondent
UPDATED
May 9, 2022
SINGAPORE - The societal cost of enlisting women into national service (NS), even for non-military roles, would far outweigh any benefits, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Monday (May 9).
Compulsory national service can be justified only if it serves a critical need of national security and defence, he said, adding that there are "distinct pitfalls" if conscription is implemented for any other reason, whether it is for men or women.
Responding to Ms Carrie Tan (Nee Soon GRC) and Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang GRC) in Parliament, Dr Ng cautioned that enlisting women into NS would delay their entry into the workforce, and this would have the immediate effect of accentuating a decline in the local manpower pool and a reduction of household incomes.
"Even if women are enlisted for non-military national service roles to augment our healthcare and social services, it may make manpower shortages in other industries worse," Dr Ng said.
"Over the long term, it will impose a great cost, not only on women themselves, but also their families, children and spouses, and society as a whole," he added.
"Is that cost justified to send a signal or to reverse stereotypes? From the Government's perspective, no. I think most Singaporeans would say 'no' too, from a security perspective."
During the debate on the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development in Parliament last month, Ms Tan had suggested expanding the scope of national service to include care vocations, enlisting both young men and women to these roles.
In her third IPS-Nathan Lecture last year, Ms Corinna Lim, executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), had also called for NS to be made gender neutral, and expanded beyond the traditional domains of the army, navy, air force and police.
On Monday, Dr Ng said the primary reason for enlistment into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) must be to train soldiers who are able to defend Singapore, and repel, if not defeat, enemies who want to invade the country.
Similarly, enlistment into the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has to be based on the national need for homeland security and emergency services, he added.
"It is very far off from the proposals to conscript women to serve in roles such as caregivers and healthcare workers, or to send a signal, a powerful signal, of gender equality," he noted.
"These are inadequate justifications or reasons to mandate that someone must suspend individual liberties as a civilian, give up two years of his or her life, and if they do not, they go to jail, as our courts have sentenced NS defaulters."
Dr Ng added that proposals for women to enlist into NS are not new, and that the issue was debated as early as 1967 when conscription was introduced.
He said the Enlistment Act, passed in 1970, does not exclude women, but the Government at the time thought it would be an “extra burden” to enlist women, given the acute shortage of trainers and commanders then.
When the issue resurfaced in 1983, the assessment was that the SAF could cope with the manpower shortage, Dr Ng added.
While he acknowledged that birth rates have continued to fall, Dr Ng said the use of technology and the optimisation of resources have produced a modern SAF that is more lethal and effective despite a smaller number of soldiers.
"If Singapore is ever threatened with an existential threat by an aggressor, and there is a sudden and grave need to boost our military, I am certain that Mindef (Ministry of Defence) and the SAF will call on the government of that day to enlist not only women, but even teenagers and older men into military service... The Ukrainians did exactly this when their homeland was invaded," he added.
Dr Ng said there are currently more than 1,600 uniformed servicewomen in the SAF, making up about 8 per cent of its regulars.
Women make up 5 per cent of SAF regulars holding senior ranks of lieutenant-colonel, military expert 6, or master warrant officer and above.
Additionally, more than 500 women have also been trained and deployed in different roles as volunteers in the SAF Volunteer Corps since 2015, the minister said.
"There is currently no need for us to enlist women (into) national service," he told the House. "Women are already contributing to national building as regulars and volunteers," he added.
Ms Poh, a former helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, asked if Mindef had plans to recruit more full-time servicewomen, and do more for those looking to start a family beyond flexible work arrangements.
In response, Dr Ng said the SAF’s recruitment has been fairly successful and attrition has been low, but he did not provide specific figures.
“We have stepped up our recruitment of women because the SAF wants more women to join our ranks,” Dr Ng said, citing the establishment of the SAF Women Outreach Office in July 2020 as an example.
The SAF has also set up “work near home” sites in north-east, south-west and central Singapore. “Work away from office is very much, we believe, an entrenched concept... We are going to embrace it, see how it works,” Dr Ng said.
In a Facebook post later in the day, Ms Tan said she appreciated the minister’s reply and clarified that her suggestion for women to be enlisted in roles beyond the military was not driven by a simplistic ideal of equality but to meet national caregiving needs in the face of an ageing population.
Reiterating her call for NS to be expanded to include caregiving roles, she wrote: “If national service means service to the nation, it only makes sense that we evolve it to meet the most pressing needs of our nation.”
Cost of enlisting women into NS, even in non-military roles, far outweighs benefits: Ng Eng Hen
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen cautioned that enlisting women into NS would delay their entry into workforce. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Kok Yufeng
Transport Correspondent
UPDATED
May 9, 2022
SINGAPORE - The societal cost of enlisting women into national service (NS), even for non-military roles, would far outweigh any benefits, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Monday (May 9).
Compulsory national service can be justified only if it serves a critical need of national security and defence, he said, adding that there are "distinct pitfalls" if conscription is implemented for any other reason, whether it is for men or women.
Responding to Ms Carrie Tan (Nee Soon GRC) and Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang GRC) in Parliament, Dr Ng cautioned that enlisting women into NS would delay their entry into the workforce, and this would have the immediate effect of accentuating a decline in the local manpower pool and a reduction of household incomes.
"Even if women are enlisted for non-military national service roles to augment our healthcare and social services, it may make manpower shortages in other industries worse," Dr Ng said.
"Over the long term, it will impose a great cost, not only on women themselves, but also their families, children and spouses, and society as a whole," he added.
"Is that cost justified to send a signal or to reverse stereotypes? From the Government's perspective, no. I think most Singaporeans would say 'no' too, from a security perspective."
During the debate on the White Paper on Singapore Women's Development in Parliament last month, Ms Tan had suggested expanding the scope of national service to include care vocations, enlisting both young men and women to these roles.
She suggested that this would help to support the community with their caregiving needs, reduce the stress of Singapore's people and workforce, and more critically, help care work be seen as a shared civic responsibility.In her third IPS-Nathan Lecture last year, Ms Corinna Lim, executive director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), had also called for NS to be made gender neutral, and expanded beyond the traditional domains of the army, navy, air force and police.
On Monday, Dr Ng said the primary reason for enlistment into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) must be to train soldiers who are able to defend Singapore, and repel, if not defeat, enemies who want to invade the country.
Similarly, enlistment into the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has to be based on the national need for homeland security and emergency services, he added.
"It is very far off from the proposals to conscript women to serve in roles such as caregivers and healthcare workers, or to send a signal, a powerful signal, of gender equality," he noted.
"These are inadequate justifications or reasons to mandate that someone must suspend individual liberties as a civilian, give up two years of his or her life, and if they do not, they go to jail, as our courts have sentenced NS defaulters."
Dr Ng added that proposals for women to enlist into NS are not new, and that the issue was debated as early as 1967 when conscription was introduced.
He said the Enlistment Act, passed in 1970, does not exclude women, but the Government at the time thought it would be an “extra burden” to enlist women, given the acute shortage of trainers and commanders then.
When the issue resurfaced in 1983, the assessment was that the SAF could cope with the manpower shortage, Dr Ng added.
While he acknowledged that birth rates have continued to fall, Dr Ng said the use of technology and the optimisation of resources have produced a modern SAF that is more lethal and effective despite a smaller number of soldiers.
"If Singapore is ever threatened with an existential threat by an aggressor, and there is a sudden and grave need to boost our military, I am certain that Mindef (Ministry of Defence) and the SAF will call on the government of that day to enlist not only women, but even teenagers and older men into military service... The Ukrainians did exactly this when their homeland was invaded," he added.
Dr Ng said there are currently more than 1,600 uniformed servicewomen in the SAF, making up about 8 per cent of its regulars.
Women make up 5 per cent of SAF regulars holding senior ranks of lieutenant-colonel, military expert 6, or master warrant officer and above.
Additionally, more than 500 women have also been trained and deployed in different roles as volunteers in the SAF Volunteer Corps since 2015, the minister said.
"There is currently no need for us to enlist women (into) national service," he told the House. "Women are already contributing to national building as regulars and volunteers," he added.
Ms Poh, a former helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, asked if Mindef had plans to recruit more full-time servicewomen, and do more for those looking to start a family beyond flexible work arrangements.
In response, Dr Ng said the SAF’s recruitment has been fairly successful and attrition has been low, but he did not provide specific figures.
“We have stepped up our recruitment of women because the SAF wants more women to join our ranks,” Dr Ng said, citing the establishment of the SAF Women Outreach Office in July 2020 as an example.
The SAF has also set up “work near home” sites in north-east, south-west and central Singapore. “Work away from office is very much, we believe, an entrenched concept... We are going to embrace it, see how it works,” Dr Ng said.
In a Facebook post later in the day, Ms Tan said she appreciated the minister’s reply and clarified that her suggestion for women to be enlisted in roles beyond the military was not driven by a simplistic ideal of equality but to meet national caregiving needs in the face of an ageing population.
Reiterating her call for NS to be expanded to include caregiving roles, she wrote: “If national service means service to the nation, it only makes sense that we evolve it to meet the most pressing needs of our nation.”
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