Aware to give out tongue-in-cheek award for sexism
It's not an award to crow about.
But Hougang grassroots adviser Desmond Choo looks set to clinch what is believed to be the country's first sexism award, in 'honour' of a person or organisation that has done the greatest disservice to gender equality.
The award is the tongue-in-cheek brainchild of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), which will dish it out on Oct 17 during its fundraising dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to celebrate its 26th anniversary.
The women's advocacy group will give three other awards to recognise those who have promoted gender equality causes. The sexism award, called the Alamak Award, has five nominees. Nominations were made by the public on Aware's website over a six-week period that started last month.
Mr Choo, 33, who was the People's Action Party's candidate in Hougang in the May General Election, was criticised for being sexist when he made his maiden rally speech.
During that speech, he recounted a meeting with an elderly Hougang resident who told him that choosing an MP is like choosing a wife.
'If your wife is unable to cook, there's no point. You must choose a wife who is able to look after you and do things for you,' Mr Choo had said in recounting what the elderly man told him.
Besides Mr Choo, four organisations made the list. They are: the Singapore Obedient Wives Club; Singapore Airlines; the Singapore Armed Forces; and insurance company Great Eastern.
The 'winner' will be decided by an online vote, which started last Tuesday. It will end on Oct 7.
Close to 60 per cent of the 600 votes cast have gone to Mr Choo.
The Obedient Wives Club is second, with 33 per cent of the votes.
Aware's executive director, Ms Corinna Lim, said the award was meant to be tongue-in-cheek and a fun way to point out instances of sexism.
'We felt that there was a need for this as we often have people writing to us to complain about some sexist ad or remark,' she said.
'It is a great way to raise public awareness and discussion about sexist attitudes.'
Ms Lim said the group has informed the nominees of their nomination. But she was mum about the winner's prize.
When contacted, Mr Choo, who is the deputy director of NTUC's youth development unit, stressed that he had always believed in gender equality. He also maintained that his comments had been taken out of context and were not meant to be sexist.
While people were entitled to their own opinions, he added that he would be happy to meet up with those who misunderstood his words to clear the air.
He said he 'won't put too much weight' on the award if he wins it, as he was quoted out of context.
He is also unlikely to attend the award ceremony as it may 'reinforce an untruth', he said.
Singapore Airlines, which has been criticised for its employment policies for pregnant crew, said it has been informed about the nomination but added it was not appropriate for it to comment on the nomination's fairness or validity.
Besides the sexism category, Aware's three other awards - Heroine, Hero and Young Wonder - recognise individuals who have made significant contribution towards the gender equality cause.
Madam Halimah Yacob, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and opposition politician Nicole Seah are among the nominees.
They were shortlisted from nominations made by the public, as well as by Aware members.
Unlike the sexism award, the winners of the three categories will be chosen by a panel of judges which includes ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh and playwright Eleanor Wong.
Ms Lim said the group is considering making the awards an annual event, given the buzz and positive feedback it has received.
It is still receiving fresh submissions, even though nominations have closed.
'We tell them that the nominations are now closed and they have to save their pet peeves for the next round of awards.'
Aware hopes to raise $200,000 through the dinner to fund its programmes and services, which include its helpline for women in distress.
The gala tickets are priced at $250; most of the 350 seats have been taken up.
Besides the awards, guests at the dinner will be entertained by artists such as Adrian Pang and Pam Oei.
[email protected]
It's not an award to crow about.
But Hougang grassroots adviser Desmond Choo looks set to clinch what is believed to be the country's first sexism award, in 'honour' of a person or organisation that has done the greatest disservice to gender equality.
The award is the tongue-in-cheek brainchild of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), which will dish it out on Oct 17 during its fundraising dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to celebrate its 26th anniversary.
The women's advocacy group will give three other awards to recognise those who have promoted gender equality causes. The sexism award, called the Alamak Award, has five nominees. Nominations were made by the public on Aware's website over a six-week period that started last month.
Mr Choo, 33, who was the People's Action Party's candidate in Hougang in the May General Election, was criticised for being sexist when he made his maiden rally speech.
During that speech, he recounted a meeting with an elderly Hougang resident who told him that choosing an MP is like choosing a wife.
'If your wife is unable to cook, there's no point. You must choose a wife who is able to look after you and do things for you,' Mr Choo had said in recounting what the elderly man told him.
Besides Mr Choo, four organisations made the list. They are: the Singapore Obedient Wives Club; Singapore Airlines; the Singapore Armed Forces; and insurance company Great Eastern.
The 'winner' will be decided by an online vote, which started last Tuesday. It will end on Oct 7.
Close to 60 per cent of the 600 votes cast have gone to Mr Choo.
The Obedient Wives Club is second, with 33 per cent of the votes.
Aware's executive director, Ms Corinna Lim, said the award was meant to be tongue-in-cheek and a fun way to point out instances of sexism.
'We felt that there was a need for this as we often have people writing to us to complain about some sexist ad or remark,' she said.
'It is a great way to raise public awareness and discussion about sexist attitudes.'
Ms Lim said the group has informed the nominees of their nomination. But she was mum about the winner's prize.
When contacted, Mr Choo, who is the deputy director of NTUC's youth development unit, stressed that he had always believed in gender equality. He also maintained that his comments had been taken out of context and were not meant to be sexist.
While people were entitled to their own opinions, he added that he would be happy to meet up with those who misunderstood his words to clear the air.
He said he 'won't put too much weight' on the award if he wins it, as he was quoted out of context.
He is also unlikely to attend the award ceremony as it may 'reinforce an untruth', he said.
Singapore Airlines, which has been criticised for its employment policies for pregnant crew, said it has been informed about the nomination but added it was not appropriate for it to comment on the nomination's fairness or validity.
Besides the sexism category, Aware's three other awards - Heroine, Hero and Young Wonder - recognise individuals who have made significant contribution towards the gender equality cause.
Madam Halimah Yacob, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and opposition politician Nicole Seah are among the nominees.
They were shortlisted from nominations made by the public, as well as by Aware members.
Unlike the sexism award, the winners of the three categories will be chosen by a panel of judges which includes ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh and playwright Eleanor Wong.
Ms Lim said the group is considering making the awards an annual event, given the buzz and positive feedback it has received.
It is still receiving fresh submissions, even though nominations have closed.
'We tell them that the nominations are now closed and they have to save their pet peeves for the next round of awards.'
Aware hopes to raise $200,000 through the dinner to fund its programmes and services, which include its helpline for women in distress.
The gala tickets are priced at $250; most of the 350 seats have been taken up.
Besides the awards, guests at the dinner will be entertained by artists such as Adrian Pang and Pam Oei.
[email protected]
