From The Straits Times    |
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Coco Chanel once said, “The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud.”

And for the rest of the world, it finally happened last year. When the #metoo movement exploded onto social media, many sexual harassment survivors found their voice and came together in a bid to make a change. Women bonded and many pro-women initiatives took off. 

This month, you can be part of that again. With International Women’s Day just right round the corner, here are seven organisations that are hosting activities for you to help and connect with other women. Afterall, a celebration of sisterhood isn’t complete without moral support from other women. 

 

1. Women’s Adventure Film Tour

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Women on a Mission Singapore (@woamsingapore) on

Singapore-based Women on a Mission is a non-profit organisation that’s raising awareness and funds for women who are survivors of war and abuse. This organisation has gone on all sorts of adventures. From treks to the Everest Base Camp to mountain biking in Ethiopia, they’ve done it. I mean, what better way to support women than to trek around the globe and do all sorts of exciting activities?

This March, they’re releasing a short film on their expedition to Mongolia last year. Alongside that, the organisation is also releasing a series of short films that feature women who have engaged in heroic and daring acts. Adrenaline junkies, you’re in for a treat as these women will be sharing their death-defying experiences (rock climbing, mountaineering, etc.) on film.

Caveat: $1 from ever ticket will go into Women on a Mission’s efforts to help underprivileged women.

10 March

2pm and 4pm

The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589

 

2. International Women’s Day Online Race 2019

Channel your inner fitspo with this online race. Spacebib and AWARE have come together to organise this race. Run at your own pace and still get a finisher medal? Check. All you need to do is key in your preferred running distance, set aside some time (from 8 – 17 March) start running – or walking if you want. You don’t even have to adhere to a stipulated route – try out some interesting hiking trails or go on an urban run. Singapore may be a concrete jungle but there’s no shortage of running trails.

Spacebib will donate a $3 to AWARE for every finisher. So start running for good (yours and others).

8 – 17 March

www.spacebib.com

 

3. She Says SG – International Women’s Day Festival 2019: Balance for Better

SheSays SG’s first ever festival (Balance for Better) is bringing you a buffet of activities. From panel discussions to a recruitment drive, this event is going to help you with the basics for work. You’ll be able to learn how to build a network, negotiate your salary and create a healthy work environment for yourself. Women entrepreneurs like Chery Guzman Ng from CrazyCat, Bianca Stringuini from Visa and Tasha Abdul Mutalib from Girls in Tech will be there to answer your questions.

For the book worms who want to pass time in between activities, The Moon is having a pop-up library at the event.

16 March

10am-5pm

Accenture Innovation Hub, South Beach Tower, 38 Beach Road, Level 3 

weareshesays.com

ALSO READ: THE MOON IS A HYGGE-INSPIRED SPACE NESTLED IN CHINATOWN

 

4. Merci Marcel x AWARE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by MERCI MARCEL (@mercimarcel) on

Pop by Merci Marcel this International Women’s Day to support other women. It’s not a difficult job, it doesn’t take up much of your time and you don’t even have to buy a meal (but why wouldn’t you, it’s Merci Marcel). All you have to do is post encouraging notes on a wall at the restaurant. For every post shared through social media, Merci Marcel donates $3 to AWARE.

So head on down and start posting.

8 March

56 Eng Hoon St, #01-68,

 

5. AWARE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Three months ago, on 26 November 2018, AWARE launched its Aim For Zero campaign to press for collective support for survivors of all forms of sexual violence. At the launch event, our Guest of Honour, Law and Home Affairs Minister @kshanmugam_, affirmed that Singapore is moving towards a society of zero tolerance for sexual violence – where ALL victims of sexual assault would receive legal protection. The advent of #metoo in 2017 brought a spike in cases at our Sexual Assault Care Centre, one that carries on into 2019. Aim For Zero continues on too – and you can join in. At aimforzero.sg, read our “Action” tabs with tips for your own life – whether you’re a parent, employer, educator, and so on. And pledge your commitment to ending sexual violence. You’ll receive news about our services and upcoming workshops – on sexual assault awareness, first responder training and talking about sex as a parent. (Our next Birds & Bees parents workshop is 16 March!) #AimforZeroSG

A post shared by AWARE Singapore (@awaresingapore) on

Other than their collaboration with Merci Marcel, AWARE is holding a month’s worth of activities to celebrate International women’s day:

 

Hashtags, harassment and hope

This forum will be a joint effort between AWARE and market research company Ipsos. The talk will be an in-depth discussion on workplace harassment training in Singapore. The Straits Times’ 2018 Singaporean of the Year, Siti Noor Mastura, will be there to talk about gender relations in the workplace. So head on down and keep fighting for gender equality.

13 March 

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Twitter, 138 Market Street

 

Birds & Bees

Old habits die hard – think poor sexual education, future sexual repression or worse, sexual abuse. This workshop is for the parents who want to educate their child on sexual issues but don’t know how to do so (not all mums are like Gillian Anderson’s character in the popular Netflix series, Sex Education). This workshop will teach parents how to communicate better with their children and to think more about the impacts of a better sexual education.

16 March 

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Aware Centre, 5 Dover Crescent #01-22

 

Sexual Assault Awareness Training

Derring-Do Dance (a company that runs dance and body-based programmes for kids and families) will be partnering with AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre for this session. The training will provide info on how to understand sexual assault and harassment, support survivors and the resources available for help.

23 March

10:00 am

AWARE Centre, Blk 5 Dover Crescent #01-22
 

To sign up, visit AWARE.

 

6. Keynote (Asia’s Women Speakers)

Nine women will take the stage at the National Gallery this International Women’s Day. Head down to get inspired because they are some of the best motivational speakers in Singapore (Karen Leong, Margie Warrell, etc.). These women will be sharing their personal stories and tips that will empower you as a woman of the 21st-century. Topics that will be explored will include defining yourself (as a woman) in a male-dominated industry, being a female leader and networking properly. There will also be a networking session after the event.

It doesn’t just stop there. Later this year, Keynote will be launching a book that is co-authored by 14 women speakers. The book will include tips on how to speak better and hold your own amongst your male peers (if you work in a male-dominated industry).

8 March

www.nationalgallery.sg

 

7. Go Red for Women Luncheon 2019 (Singapore Heart Foundation)

To commemorate International Women’s Day, Singapore Heart Foundation is hosting a luncheon this year. The luncheon will celebrate the success and progress of women. Talks on heart health in women and useful tips on leading a heart-healthy lifestyle will be held by  healthcare experts from the National University Heart Centre Singapore (NUHCS).

The main sponsor of the event, fashion label SaturdayClub, will be putting up a mini fashion show. The 10 dresses featured in the fashion show are sponsored, and for every purchase at the event, SaturdayClub will donate 2% of its proceeds to SHF.

8 March

11am – 3pm

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, 1 Straits Boulevard

www.myheart.org.sg

ALSO READ: HOW CELEBRITIES CELEBRATED INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2018