So we went for the AWARE talk last night, and it was a rather interesting discussion, mainly about what women feel things should improve for them. First, we introduced ourselves and talked about our background and why we signed up for the talk. Then there was a tour around the premises, followed by a break.
After the break, we were asked what we would like to volunteer or be involved in, as well as a discussion over women's issues. Some of the points brought up are as follows :
1. Why are women's remuneration still less than men, despite being equally or higher-educated, yet women are now expected to contribute to the household and still have to work, take care of the house, take care of the kids, and the men still take it that it is the woman's prerogative to keep the house and not help out.
2. Should paternity leave be implemented for men? We are not talking about the three-days paternity leave where the men can take when his wife gave birth, but actual paternity leave for say, two months or so, to help out his wife with the baby. However, it was also brought up that men do not really utilise their paternity or childcare leave, as many still feel it should be the woman who should utilise hers.
3. Should there be more "transparent" sex education in schools? During my time, there was no sex education at all (except for the little snippets which my biology teacher told us). Then when I was in university, sex education was implemented in schools because there were too many abortions and unwanted pregnancies amongst teenagers, some as young as fourteen. Hence, sex education in the form of abstinence was taught. Yet, there are still many teenage pregnancies and abortions.
Hence, AWARE feels that instead of just abstinence, it would be better to teach proper sex education and the use of contraceptives. They are not encouraging sex amongst unmarried people, especially kids, per se, but just an acceptance that many people, including kids, are having sex despite not being married. So to prevent unwated pregnancies and abortions, people should be educated in responsible sex instead, and not treat it so casually or just sleep around. Afterall, the generation now is different, they are more influenced by the media and modernity and treat sex as if it is part and parcel of life.
4. Should the law criminalise rape in marriage? Believe it or not, here, the wife still cannot sue the husband for rape if he forces her to have sex with him. Years ago when I was doing law, the wife had to be subjected to the husband's whims and fancies.
Later on, the law was changed to adapt that in circumstances where the couple was already separated (but not officially divorced), or the wife applied for a restraining order or personal protection order against the husband, then she could sue him for rape if he forced himself on her.
Now, AWARE is trying to fight for full protection - like even if the couple is happily married, and the husband wants the wife to have sex but she does not want, she can still proceed to sue him for rape.
5. How to stop viewing women as just mere sex objects and that when a woman got raped, she should not always be blamed because men should take equal or more responsibility for rape.
6. More shelter for victims of domestic abuse and enforce protection orders as well as maintenance for spouse.
These are generally what was covered. There was quite a huge turnout, about fifteen people in all, and my dear was the only men amongst all of us! The Executive Director was very happy to see him, she said there should be more men standing up for women's issues, then perhaps more men would view equality of the genders as something good and not always view it as negative.
Hopefully I can have the opportunity to help in whatever way possible!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
After the break, we were asked what we would like to volunteer or be involved in, as well as a discussion over women's issues. Some of the points brought up are as follows :
1. Why are women's remuneration still less than men, despite being equally or higher-educated, yet women are now expected to contribute to the household and still have to work, take care of the house, take care of the kids, and the men still take it that it is the woman's prerogative to keep the house and not help out.
2. Should paternity leave be implemented for men? We are not talking about the three-days paternity leave where the men can take when his wife gave birth, but actual paternity leave for say, two months or so, to help out his wife with the baby. However, it was also brought up that men do not really utilise their paternity or childcare leave, as many still feel it should be the woman who should utilise hers.
3. Should there be more "transparent" sex education in schools? During my time, there was no sex education at all (except for the little snippets which my biology teacher told us). Then when I was in university, sex education was implemented in schools because there were too many abortions and unwanted pregnancies amongst teenagers, some as young as fourteen. Hence, sex education in the form of abstinence was taught. Yet, there are still many teenage pregnancies and abortions.
Hence, AWARE feels that instead of just abstinence, it would be better to teach proper sex education and the use of contraceptives. They are not encouraging sex amongst unmarried people, especially kids, per se, but just an acceptance that many people, including kids, are having sex despite not being married. So to prevent unwated pregnancies and abortions, people should be educated in responsible sex instead, and not treat it so casually or just sleep around. Afterall, the generation now is different, they are more influenced by the media and modernity and treat sex as if it is part and parcel of life.
4. Should the law criminalise rape in marriage? Believe it or not, here, the wife still cannot sue the husband for rape if he forces her to have sex with him. Years ago when I was doing law, the wife had to be subjected to the husband's whims and fancies.
Later on, the law was changed to adapt that in circumstances where the couple was already separated (but not officially divorced), or the wife applied for a restraining order or personal protection order against the husband, then she could sue him for rape if he forced himself on her.
Now, AWARE is trying to fight for full protection - like even if the couple is happily married, and the husband wants the wife to have sex but she does not want, she can still proceed to sue him for rape.
5. How to stop viewing women as just mere sex objects and that when a woman got raped, she should not always be blamed because men should take equal or more responsibility for rape.
6. More shelter for victims of domestic abuse and enforce protection orders as well as maintenance for spouse.
These are generally what was covered. There was quite a huge turnout, about fifteen people in all, and my dear was the only men amongst all of us! The Executive Director was very happy to see him, she said there should be more men standing up for women's issues, then perhaps more men would view equality of the genders as something good and not always view it as negative.
Hopefully I can have the opportunity to help in whatever way possible!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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