How to help a homeless person?

People across Singapore are gearing up towards celebrating Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon. Yesterday my local supermarket was rammed with people buying up produce like it was the end of the world. And people are busy bestowing red packets, oranges and cookies to friends and loved ones, wishing that they will have a prosperous year ahead.

But there is definitely at least one person who I am almost certain will not be having a prosperous year this year.

Who is he? 

Let me tell you. The other day I went to meet a good friend for coffee, she was talking to a gentleman who I vaguely recognized as someone that worked at her condo.

Except the one major thing I was missing is that he didn't work at her condo anymore, and indeed she hadn't seen him there for a good few months.

It turns out that his wife had passed away and he had not been able to cope - he had turned to drinking, lost his job, been unable to make the payments for his HDB apartment and now he was sleeping on the streets. With only two changes of clothes to call his own he was struggling to understand how he would be able to get a job with no home address and no decent clothes.

Now a homeless person is Singapore is a rare sight,  I have seen perhaps two in my time here. But to actually have someone you know turn out to to be homeless?

I often wondered what happened when people fall through the gaps in Singapore, when they have no family or friends to catch them in the net when everything falls apart. I guess this is it then. 

My friend had already bought him some food and drink and so we arranged to meet him later with supplies and a plan. We immediately went to action stations. We had no idea what the protocol here was. In London, there are shelters where you can just walk into as a homeless person. Here, it seemed from our frenzied looking on the internet, calling around and asking friends who might be in the know, you had to be referred to a shelter by an agency. 

So we found out where the local family services centre who would be able to refer him was, put together a bag of men's clothes that were going unused, and various items to help him stay fresh and then my friend went to go and meet him at the pre-arranged time and spot that we had discussed earlier.

Time passed, he didn't show, she scoured the neighbourhood to looking form him. We analyzed all the possible reasons why he didn't turn up...

- Maybe his dignity had got in the way and had caused him to shy away from accepting help from people who might have well been strangers, and strangers who might have just seemed like silly expat do-gooders

- Maybe he had spent the two hours in between topping up his alcohol levels and then had passed out somewhere

- Maybe some or not all of the story was true and so he had not wanted to follow up on it. But even if this was indeed the case, times must have been exceedingly tough to even get to that point.

And the list goes on.

Whatever it was, we beat ourselves up over not keeping him with us over that time, to let him have some time to doubt and waiver, and slip a little bit further down the slope he had begun to descend. If we'd kept him with us perhaps we could have gone with him to the family services centre, but really there's so many levels of complexities that could have stopped that happening too. 

Whenever we're out and about, our eyes scan the neighbourhood like lasers, trying to see if he might be sitting or sleeping somewhere under shelter nearby. But we haven't seen him since. 

Sometimes you only get one shot at these things and nobody tells you what to do in these situations. I tend not to regret things in life, but this is a firm exception. If only there weren't so many complex factors involved, if only we had devised a perfectly executed plan then and there and not let him slip away.

Stray dogs in Singapore? Yes..and they need saving!

Stray dogs in Singapore? Yes we have stray dogs in Singapore and over the last month they have been much talked about. The dogs were flung into the limelight because on 14 Dec, a jogger was attacked by a pack of stray dogs along the Punggol Waterway Park.

Though extremely unfortunate as an attack like this is, it has thankfully actually served to highlight the issue and plight of these dogs.

Yes once upon a time the previously forested areas of Punggol New Town were home to hundreds of dogs. Over the years deforestation taking place to make way for urban development has destroyed their habitat leaving them with nowhere to go.

And because of urban development to date about 30 stray dogs have been caught. No wonder these poor dogs are feeling a little jumpy! Your home destroyed beneath your nose...how would you feel?

Anyway according to Action for Singapore Dogs there are at least 100 dogs in the area. But fret not there is currently a campaign under way to rescue the dogs by the name Save the Punggol Dogs. But where do all these dogs go if they get rescued? 

Anyone that has ever visited the dog shelters in Singapore knows that these are bursting to the brim and so the race is on to find proper homes for these dogs, which will also please those who are concerned about public safety. 

This is Pumpkin

Sadly stray dogs often fall pray to common misconceptions. I've spent many a time chilling next to stray dogs around Asia - and all those which I have encountered have been incredibly docile, affectionate animals. Not the "mad, unpredictable types" you might have been forewarned about but something more adorable like this one.... 

Introducing Alva 

As an owner of an adopted dog (though not a stray - the one I connected with at the shelter at the time was not ready to be re-homed), the plight of these dogs really strikes a chord with me and so here is something I wrote which I hope will help you empathize and take action...

An Ode to the Stray Dogs Of Punggol

I don’t know how I ended up here

Paying the penance for someone else’s inconsiderate actions

Lonely I wander, the product of irresponsible breeding

In this place I once called my home

But if this is home, I long for a new one

These were once forests so familiar to me

They are now strange and hostile and I am so scared

Strange things are happening, dogs are disappearing, and I feel deep despair

Each night I cry myself to sleep, for I feel my life slipping away as I dream

I feel so weak, will I survive I dare to wonder to myself?

I’m sick of baking in the heat, hoping that the rain will come and release me

Each day I rummage in the bin, hoping that some scraps will sooth my aching stomach, but it is never enough…how long will it be before I starve?

I dream that someone will open up their heart and take care of me

That they will look into my eyes and see my gentle soul and personality

And all the warmth and affection I have to give

I dream that instead of shouting or throwing a stone at me

That they will see my innocence and soothe my fears away

When the men come to take the others away I say to myself

“I’m not a demon – I’m a dog.”

How I long to be looked in the eye with a smile, stroked and loved

How I long to be in the warm bosom of a family

But sometimes I feel like my time will never come

Is there someone?

 If you or someone you know would like to give one of the Punggol dogs a loving home see below for more information...

The campaign is also looking for volunteers to help distribute adoption flyers to reach more potential adopters. Fore more information see the Save the Punggol Dogs website here.

An insight into the life of migrant workers a.k.a. Made By Migrants

There are over 870,000 migrant workers in Singapore of which construction workers play a significant part.

What do you think life might be like to be a migrant construction worker? When you see construction workers in your daily lives, do you ever stop to think about what their stories are? Or that they themselves are part of a culture and community?

Well this is exactly what a recent project - Made by Migrants - undertaken by three international interns at advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) Asia Pacific hopes to get you thinking about.

The project seeks to give an insight into the lives of migrant construction workers, to humanize them, and give them a sense of identity. It also hopes to draw out a sense of pride and collegiality between migrant workers and the rest of Singapore, and give a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the migrant worker community.

Of the team of three, one of them, a young man named Ian, heralding from the UK, lived the life of a migrant construction worker for 2 weeks, living and working alongside them.

Being a construction worker can be treacherous but this pales into insignificance when faced with the ambition to secure a better future, the ability to support their families back home with health care, and their children with education. 

After the first night in the dorm - which is an adapted cargo holder and looks something like this...

Ian starts his first day with a a relatively "easy" first morning and as a result, his expectations are way off course. Ian is shocked when he realizes what the majority of his first afternoon's work will entail...stripping a ceiling down with a pneumatic drill. 

After a backbreaking day's work, it's time to make the journey back to the dorm. We're used to seeing the ride home from the other side - this is what it looks like from inside the truck. 

In between the hard graft the best part of the day is lunch in the old soldiers church...

followed by coffee (as demonstrated by Yeuping)

and nap time (as exemplified by Tatuporn)- vital to replenish energy levels for the rest of the days hard labour.

Like the rest of us, the workers live for the weekend, which kicks of with a spread under the motorway bridge and giving thanks for the opportunities they've been given in life of which there is footage in the video here. You can also find out a little bit more about one of the workers, Tatuporn, and why he came to Singapore and became a construction worker. 

After one week,  Ian is feeling relieved that he hadn't signed up to do this for 6 - or in some people's cases - 20 years, and is fast learning survival strategies from his co-workers like using the air from the drill to cool down in the sweltering heat, as demonstrated by Sunsheng here.

The project comes to an end this week, but not before another interview is posted on the website adding to the fascinating insights already shared. Do visit the project here are take some time to understand and empathise with the enormous sacrifices the workers face, reflect upon the fact that we are all working towards the same ambitions and play your part in understanding them as part of the social fabric of Singapore - and not just a transient workforce.

You can also engage with the migrant workers featured on this project through the Facebook page here or by via Twitter here.

All images courtesy of Made By Migrants

SlutWalk Singapore 2011 - what it was and was not

On my way down to SlutWalk at Hong Lim Park yesterday, I wondered whether what I was hearing out in cyberspace about boneheads allegedly planning to coming down to "gawk" at us was true. I found this rather amusing and wondered what on earth they thought they were going to be gawking at? Me in my bra and knickers perhaps? Do I look like I'm standing around offering up my body to you here?

Or what about these people? 

Yes the title SlutWalk might be misleading but if people bothered to understand the context as outlined in my previous blog post here, people would be less hung up on whether people were going to come dressed as "sluts" and more concerned about the root issue here - that there is no excuse for victim blaming where sexual assault is concerned and that is something that should be universally supported.

Your first cause-related event is always the hardest, which is why it was great news for SlutWalk Singapore that they had a turn out of 650 supporters - and a very diverse crowd at that -  for their first outing, despite the usual afternoon rain that made an appearance later on in the day.

SlutWalk faced up to their critics and sceptics, and triumphed. Those who did not think sexual violence was an issue in Singapore and that SlutWalk Singapore was purely jumping on the bandwagon. Those are the usual people who do not seem to recognise or want to recognise problems in their own back yard. But even if this was not an issue in Singapore, since when should we stop empathizing with serious issues happening in the rest of the world, just because we perceive it to be not happening on our doorstep?

Those who thought it was a protest, or a demonstration, you can take it from the horses mouth (in that case the horse is me) that SlutWalk Singapore was neither. It was a gathering to show solidarity to those who have been subject to victim blaming under the notion that people are sexually assaulted or abused because they have dressed like "sluts". And to denounce that notion and empower people to be free to express themselves in how they chose to dress without such an archaic judgement being passed on them.

Like minded people and causes came together, connected, supported, exchanged ideas, enjoyed performances...

and listened to the impassioned speech delivered by co-organizer Cher Tan....

You might have been expecting something else, but by now hopefully you should have a better understanding of what it was and what it was not.

I really can't wait to be part of next year's SlutWalk. From small seeds big things grow and I look forward to helping to educate and open up the minds of those who are blinded to the issue at hand.

All pictures credited to Irene Ma. For more photography please do also check out this great post on publichouse.sg on The Faces of SlutWalk 2011.

World AIDS Day Singapore 2011 - Let's Be Positive about People Living with HIV

Today is World AIDS Day and with it comes an ambitious and I would say ground breaking (for Singapore) campaign by Action for AIDS Singapore (AfA) - Let's Be Positive about People Living with HIV.

Having been pretty timid about their World AIDS Day efforts in the past, I feel very proud that the organisation who as most of you know I volunteer with is striking out to boldly this World AIDS Day with this campaign.

This year the global theme for World AIDS Day is Getting to Zero - Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination, and Zero AIDS Related Deaths and so it makes absolute sense that Singapore's efforts are focusing on Zero Discrimination.

In Singapore, discrimination and stigmatization is still a major obstacle in the fight against  HIV/AIDS. Only 66.5% of  respondents of a recent survey are willing to care for a close relative ill with HIV/AIDS and 40.7% willing to share a meal with a person who has HIV/AIDS.

Although there’s an improvement in knowledge of HIV prevention, these statistics show the accepting attitude is still low and we need to all work towards helping to correct these erroneous and harmful misperceptions.

The Be Positive campaign is a wonderful step in the right direction in changing the attitudes of Singapore's society, to make it one that is supportive and understanding and free of discrimination -  but there is still a long way to go.

My personal view is that those living with HIV/AIDS are human beings and should be treated as such. With respect. And as equals. And not be made to feel ostrichized (cue video from the campaign)....

Their status does not and should not affect who they are - they are still the same person that you or I knew in the first place. Through discrimination, people are actually aiding it's spread and impeding the fight against it's eradication by making people fearful of getting tested, knowing their HIV status and facing and protecting their loved ones. In my eyes, having to cover up is the silent killer and accomplice in spreading infection.

Although the number of people reported to have  HIV/AIDS in Singapore might be comparatively small at 5,045 (since 1985), our position as a travel and business hub along with the high number of infections in surrounding countries, makes it possible that we could be in a position to experience a more serious epidemic in the future.

Also it's important to note that this number is only known cases and that it why voluntary HIV testing is so important. Just last month a new and potentially more aggressive strain of HIV was discovered here and so the need to stamp out discrimination, improve education and and increase understanding could not be any more pivotal.

On Tuesday this week, I was handing out balloons conveying the campaign's message out in Raffles Place and have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the largely more open attitude of those I encountered in the area. However, this is something that needs to be carried over to other communities and an essential part of that is education and understanding.

Be Positive campaign - what you can do.... 

- Like the campaign Facebook page here, record a letter and be a voice for those living with HIV/AIDS, wear a badge for the cause this World AIDS Day and watch the rest of the campaign videos. You can also download a free anonymous test coupon here and know your status. 

HIV/AIDS - what you need to know....

• A person with HIV infection can feel totally normal in the early stages of the infection. HIV testing is the only way to know for sure if one is infected.
• HIV is now a manageable chronic disease. Effective medications can suppress HIV effectively and delay the progress of the infection and complication. Early diagnosis will give infected persons a much better chance of staying in good health and to lead productive and fulfilling lives. It also informs them to take preventive measures to protect their love ones.
• Too many people with HIV infection do not get tested in the early stages; they discover they are HIV infected much later when the immune system is seriously damaged and when they develop signs and symptoms of the later stages of HIV infection ie. when they develop AIDS defining infections and cancers.
• Help is available for those who cannot afford medications through several welfare organisations including AfA.

HIV/AIDS - what support is provided for those who are diagnosed? 

• AfA runs a Positive Living Centre to provide safe space for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to get together, and relax without being judged.
• AfA also provides newly diagnosed orientation programme to PLHIV to equip them with the knowledge they need to know to cope with their status.
• There are also a support groups that allows PLHIV to come together in a safe and emotionally supportive environment to share their thoughts and experiences of dealing with the infection.
• AfA  provides a medical management subsidy for first visit to CDC to help cover the major portion of the cost of laboratory test and consultation charges on newly-diagnosed’s first visit. There is also  financial assistance to PLHIV for payment of anti- retroviral medications, treatment to HIV+ mothers for minimizing the chance of mother-to-child-transmission and assistance for families of persons with HIV infections, particularly those who have been severely impacted financially.
• AfA are currently exploring feasibility of providing services like nutrition programme, couple counseling, and job opportunity arrangement.

Le Flea Boutique is almost here! So pick up some fashion finds and polish your halo.

It's almost here....yes, Le Flea Boutique Part Deux which I'm organising to raise funds for Action for AIDS (Singapore) is happening next weekend on Sunday 27th November.

Please do come down and spread the word as 100% proceeds go to Action for AIDS which means that by supporting you will be helping to do your bit this World AIDS Day to stamp out stigma and discrimination that exists around the disease - one of the most serious barriers in the fight to eradicate it. 


What you can expect on the day:

• More pre-loved and vintage designer labels, high-street fashion and unique independent brands plus a veritable treasure trove of accessories, a capsule men’s collection, a sprinkling of children’s clothing, gifts and homeware.
• Gently worn pre-loved designer labels in the Flea Luxe collection including those from Armani Exchange, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Helmut Lang, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and more.
• Pre-loved high-street labels including Banana Republic, H&M, Forever 21, Mango, Replay, River Island, Topshop, Warehouse, Witchery, Zara and many more
• Brand new out-of-the-stockroom items under the Flea Nouveau banner, thanks to generous donations from brands and boutiques including Epitome, United Colours of Benetton Fragrances, Saturday, Nicholas, Front Row, Dulcetfig, Know It Nothing, Le Specs, Quinn, Threadbare & Squirrel, Hadasity, and Rococco Kent. 
• Something for everyone with items ranging from $5 all the way up to our Luxe range.
• Special brunch and tea sets being laid on by the venue sponsor Talent Cafe, so after you shop, you can drop, sip a glass of wine, grab a bite to eat and 10% of all proceeds from food and drink will be donated to the cause
• 100% of proceeds from the sale and the $5 entry donation will go towards Action for AIDS Singapore. Being the weekend before World AIDS Day, you can rejoice in knowing that every dollar they spend will support this worthy cause!

And here's a little taste of what will be on offer, in our selection of some of the highlights from our photos shoots of some of the collections:

And with all that and at a chic venue like Talent Cafe, what's not to love? 

For more information about the event see the Facebook page HERE and to RSVP see the Facebook event HERE. 


And if fashion's not your thing, Le Flea Boutique is just one of a number of events taking place around this World AIDS Day in Singapore. Check out the below to see what else is going on....

Mad missions for charity - Le Flea Boutique Part Deux

It's coming round to that time of the year again. The time of year when I've been schlepping back and forth with bags and bags of pre-loved - and this time round also new - clothes, shoes and accessories for Le Flea Boutique, our charity fashion fair with a conscience with the sole purpose of raising funds for Action for AIDS Singapore on Sunday 27th November. 

It's the time of year when my spare room is bursting to the seams with what feels like a truck load of clothes.


And the time of year when I somehow end up as model yet again for Le Flea Boutique.


It's been quite a journey this time round. Inspired by the fact that our second outing would be taking place the weekend before World AIDS Day, we decided to be more ambitious. We wanted to make it bigger, better and even more stylish. 


So we managed to get our hands on at least twice the amount of pre-loved items including designer labels like Armani Exchange, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Helmut Lang, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and high-street labels including items from Banana Republic, H&M, Forever 21, Mango, Replay, River Island, Topshop, Warehouse, Witchery, Zara.


We also managed to enthuse some lovely big-hearted brands and boutiques to get on board and donate brand new out-of-the-stockroom items - yes let's hear it for Epitome, United Colours of Benetton Fragrances, Saturday, Nicholas, Front Row, Dulcetfig, Know It Nothing, Le Specs, Quinn, Threadbare & Squirrel, Hadasity, and Rococco Kent.


And we have a new chic venue hosting it - this time we'll be taking over the whole of Talent Cafe for the entire day of the event - woot! 

AND we have a media partner in the folks at the online magazine PlusSixFive.


From small seeds big things grow. And boy has our baby grown!


And with all this has come more photo shoots. Forced to comply with doctor imposed diet restriction therapy to determine the source of my screwed up sinuses, it's not all been rosy. Getting up and sitting pretty in front of the camera without a daily fix of caffeine has been a bit painful at times, even in the hands of my fantastic Co-Organizer, stylist and photographer Missy K. And then doing that past 3pm without chocolate? Well now that has been pure torture no matter how much I tell myself that it's all in the name of charity. 


Four photoshoots down and four more to go.  So far I've been an 80s child (well, no change there), a hippy chick, a golden age lady waiting for the Orient Express and a Mary Quant inspired 60s sister.  Who says you can't be anything you want to be? 


Anyway, let's take a little peep at some of the shots....

Waiting for the Orient Express

Pre-loved: Mango striped dress (M) $20, Red necklace worn as bracelet $, White shoes $10, Red beret- stylist's own

Pre-loved: American apparel navy dress (M) $20, Brown belt $5, Cream and bronze necklace $5, Red beret- stylist's own

Pre-loved: Filippa K satin skirt (M) $20, Flea Nouveau: Le Specs Sunglasses $50, See their website for more styles www.lespecs.com.au, Colour-wheels sweet floral top (M) $42 found @Dulcetfig Singapore Haji Lane www.colour-wheels.tumblr.com

Retro Revival

   Pre-loved: Mirror Dash black and white striped dress (M) $20; Satin gloves, hat and bangles- stylist's/model's own

Pre-loved: mphosis cream shirt dress (M) $20l Flea Nouveau: Le Specs Sunglasses $50 - see their website for more styles www.lespecs.com.au/

Pre-loved: New Look black heart print dress (S) $20, Lace headbands and bangles- stylist's/model's own

Hippy Hippy Chic

Pre-Loved:Sheer Romance black floral maxi dress, (S), $2, Brass statement necklace $5, All other accessories as before

Pre-Loved: Warehouse Turqoise top, (S), $10, Black gypsy skirt (unknown), M $10, Wooden bangle , $3, Bronze bangle, $5, Assorted lass rings, $5, Bronze drop earring, $3, Flea Nouveau: Wishful Thinking clutch bag $35 (from Dulcetfig see http://dulcetfig.com/ for further collections

It was Acceptable in the 80s

Pre-loved: Atmosphere grey shoulder pad dress (8) $20, silver bauble bracelet $10, earrings $5
Model's/stylist's own: pink tights and headphones

Pre-loved: Cotton On black and white dress (S) $10, Xdye sequinned cardigan (M) $20, rhinestone shoes $20,
Model's/stylist's own: pink tights and headpiece

Pre-loved collection: Forever 21 denim dress (M) $10, blue bauble bracelet $3
New collection: ISSUE blue arm warmers $10 (Front Row). See their website for more treasures http://www.frontrowsingapore.com/

If you'd like to find out more about the fashion fair that had everyone talking last time visit the Le Flea Boutique Facebook page here. 

She Asked For It - why we should support SlutWalk Singapore

SlutWalk is coming to Singapore in December. 

For those of you who are wondering what the hell SlutWalk is let me fill you in quickly. 

The SlutWalk protest march is a now global movement which began back in April in Toronto, Canada to protest against people excusing or explaining rape by using the reason of a women's appearance. The rallies began when a police officer in Toronto suggested that to stay safe "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."

Now to  me it is quite obvious why women should care about this but I have my own personal reasons which I'll explain here...

There have been a handful of times in my life when some guy thought it would be okay just to launch himself at me and have a good grope, to invade my personal space and make unwelcoming and uninvited sexual advances - to my utter surprise and disgust.

But this is the one time that has always stuck in my mind the most because to my amazement there was a clear link he made between what I was wearing and his actions. And he was seemingly using this as justification for his actions.

I was at a work function, and was wearing what I deemed to be a completely respectable black dress. In my mind, it wasn't short, or revealing - perhaps a little figure hugging but I'm not really one for wearing a potato sack so there we are.

I could sense trouble the minute I walked in the room, so tried to keep my distance. But of course when this is a professional and respectable business contact of yours and a senior employee of a well known private bank, that can be hard to do.

I managed to keep trouble at bay for only so long before the leering looks soon turned into comments about the fact I was wearing a "body sock". When I realised all my efforts to keep things professional were failing, I though it was time to make a swift exit. As I turned away, I felt - and heard - an almighty smack on my backside.  And so did all my colleagues.  I was disgusted. Mortified. And felt utterly violated and degraded. And if I hadn't been surrounded by work colleagues, I couldn't help but wonder what he would have done without others around us.

I am absolutely horrified that what a woman chooses to wear (or not wear)-  whether it is deemed to be provocative or not, can be taken for a green light for sexual advances, incitement for degradation or worse still assault.. To me, dress is an expression of individuality, mood, creativity, confidence, sensuality and yes sometimes, sexuality depending on the individual and circumstances. But how people use their sexual or erotic currency should be entirely down to them and heaven forbid should not be forced upon them in any way or used as a reason to punish them.

I was recently on a beach where some people chose to sunbathe entirely nude amongst those who were in swimwear. Does this give people a carte blanche to make uninvited sexual advances or display inappropriate sexual behaviour because they choose to not “cover up”? Of course not.

If we all went around taking whatever was on display or looked appealing - in the shops, on the street, from people’s homes without adhering to what is right or lawful, or taking into consideration the wishes of others - which is most places is usually deemed a criminal offence-  then what kind of a world would this be?

Quite frankly, whatever a woman chooses to wear or not wear, there is no excuse for uninvited sexual advances or sexual behaviour — wherever in the world they may be.  And that is really the reason I am 100% behind SlutWalk Singapore. Because the words “she got what was coming to her” sends shivers down my spine and makes me feel sick and should never, ever be applied to sexual assault. When it comes down to it, nobody deserves to be raped.

When the policeman in Toronto told students that to protect themselves against sexual assault women should avoid “dressing like sluts,” it was a shocking, angry, and sad moment for me and many others across the world — and that was why SlutWalk was born.

It has made me realise that there are probably still a lot of men (though I would hope none that I know) out there with this backward view and attitude that what a woman wears can cause men to behave in a certain way and that it’s somehow their responsibility to ensure that they do not dress like that. How about teaching people that it’s a man’s responsibility to treat women with respect, that it is completely unacceptable to make unwelcome sexual advances or to assault them? And what about all the cases of sexual assault where the victim is an elderly person or a child? Did they dress in a way to “have it coming to them” too?

So sisters — and brothers for that matter — who want to stand up against and stamp out these damaging and archaic attitudes that have no place in our modern society, I hope you will join me and stand side by side come Singapore’s contribution to this important global campaign.


The  actual SlutWalk gathering is taking place on Sunday 4th December at Hong Lim Park from 4pm onwards as well as various talks and workshops taking place on Saturday 3rd December at The Substation. For more information about these and fringe events taking place in the run up to the SlutWalk weekend, visit the SlutWalk Singapore website here. 


If you would like to support the cause with vital funds necessary to the organization of this manifesto you can make a donation here.