Aware: How Things are Done Just As Important

Today ran this letter on 22 April 2009:

Aware: How things are done just as important
By Isabel Vadivu Govind

We refer to the recent events at Aware. The policies and programmes that emanate from Aware's efforts can affect many women and families across Singapore. It is therefore critical to examine the actions of the new Aware team and consider the consequences of entrusting an influential organisation to their stewardship.

Leaders we respect treat others with dignity. The new team swiftly dismissed Braema Mathi, CEDAW sub-committee chairperson and veteran women’s rights advocate, via email and without consultation. In progressive organisations, there are face-to-face discussions to address problems before such last resort measures. The team also barred Constance Singam, Aware's then advisor, from an Exco meeting.

Leaders we respect display trustworthiness. The new team’s public rhetoric and private actions are incongruent. While Aware’s President, Ms Josie Lau, publicly bemoans Ms Singam’s resignation as a “loss to Aware and women in Singapore”, in private, Ms Singam was treated with disrespect and her advice went ignored by the new team. While publicly insisting they will honour the previous work of Aware, they plan to replace Aware’s sub-committee chairpersons with themselves. And Ms Lau speaks a half-truth when she says Chew I-jin was not contested when she indeed was for the role of vice-president.

Leaders we respect demonstrate empathy. Empathy, an important aspect of emotional intelligence, requires a compassionate understanding of others’ emotions. Ms Lau expresses a chilling lack of empathy when she asks: “Why are they so angry with us?” She says the new team is only responding to a call for new people to serve Aware. However, there is a marked difference between a call for ‘fresh blood’ and a complete takeover of this nature.

Politically correct rhetoric lends itself easily to manipulation. But actions speak louder than words. The women’s movement, in essence, is a critique of power and its imbalances. It is about establishing fair and respectful systems and empowering the marginalised. The new team’s non-consultative and controlling tactics are neither fair nor respectful and are reminiscent of the very patriarchal hegemony that oppresses women.

How things are done is just as important as what is done. In an era where loss of faith in institutional leadership has peaked, we need leaders whose actions inspire respect and trust. Assessment is in the domain of ethics and we require moral discernment.