PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE?

7 MAR 1986:

These milestone changes in gender issues were effected in part due to Aware's work in advocacy and research.

1989:

Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore develops new guidelines to curb gender discrimination in advertisements

1994:

MOE stops requiring girls to take home economics and boys to take technical studies, offers 'Life Skill for Boys and Girls' instead.

1996:

Women's Charter revised to provide more protection for victims of domestic violence.

1999:

Women allowed to sponsor foreign spouses for citizenship and permanent resident status.

2003:

NUS lifts quota restricting the intake of female students into its medical faculty.

2004:

Government acknowledges men and women play equal roles as joint heads of household.

2005

Same citizenship rights are accorded to the children of Singaporean women, as those of Singaporean men.

28 Mar 2009:

At AGM, nine of 12 available exco positions go to new members, most of whom had joined Aware only in the last six months.

8 Apr 2009:

President Claire Nazar resigns.

14 Apr 2009:

160 old guard members call EGM for vote of no confidence in new exco.

15 Apr 2009

DBS bank executive Josie Lau elected president, although her employer expressed reservations about her taking the post.

18 Apr 2009

Adviser to the exco Constance Singam resigns.

23 Apr 2009

New guard holds press conference, accuses old guard of promoting homosexuality. Centre manager Schutz Lee fired for alleged 'acts of insubordination'.

30 Apr 2009:

Umbrella Christian body (National Council of Churches of Singapore) says churches should stay out of the fray.

This article was first published in The New Paper.