BACK in the eighties, a new women's group held its forums at Queenstown library, just across the road from the church where six of today's new exco members worship.

Back then, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) was driven by ideals. Now it is largely seen as farcical, with furious in-fighting, disputes and politicking.

Mention Aware today and one is likely to think of a catfight among two groups of women.

Other images: Christians taking on pro-gay groups, lockouts with police called in, dramatic press conferences.

Where is the dignity? Where is the sense of mission or unity?

It was hard work, said founding member Zaibun Siraj recalling the beginning, but 'we had such fun'.

That was back in 1984, when the organisation was founded 'quite by accident', said the first Aware president, Mrs Lena Lim U Wen, 71.

She set up Select Books in 1976, and was its first managing director until 2004 when she retired.

The idea for Aware arose from a forum called 'Women's Choices, Women's Lives' at the National University of Singapore Society, in November 1984, attended by about 50 women.

Aware's founding members - among them Mrs Hedwig Anuar, Dr Lai Ah Eng, MsZaibun Siraj, Dr Vivienne Wee, Ms Chua Siew Keng, Ms Evelyn Wong, and Mrs Lim - were unhappy about several issues discussed in the 1983 National Day Rally.

They were against the population policies then, such as one which gave graduate mothers priority in getting their children registered in their preferred school.

As the women were dispersing, Ms Wong called out rhetorically: 'What are we going to do now?'

About 15 women decided to meet exactly one month later to talk about the way forward.

Some, like Mrs Lim, knew about women whose husbands had deserted them, and of women who had been battered for years, but who were too afraid to speak up for fear of airing dirty linen in public.

Said Mrs Lim: 'In those days, they would hide their bruises because they couldn't bear the shame of letting people know they were beaten.'

She also knew women who led bitter, disgruntled lives as second and third wives.

She swore to work for them and never to allow herself to be in such a situation.

Said Dr Lai, 54, a social scientist: 'We had the same feeling about wanting to do something for women in general. For me, these concerns also affect the family, the community and society at large.'

These women could not find an existing women's organisation that shared similar views, so they decided to start a new organisation.

And that eventually grew to become Aware.

Said Mrs Lim: 'When we started out, we were unpopular with men, women and the authorities.

'Back then, when we forwarded victims of domestic violence to the police, we were seen as meddling in police matters.'

'Women's Freedom'

Mrs Anuar, 80, the first woman to be appointed director of the National Library in 1965, came up with the name.

She joked that Aware could have been called 'Singapore Women', 'Women's Liberty' or 'Women's Freedom'.

A friend of Mrs Lim came up with the Aware logo, consisting of the name and the symbol for female.

For a year, they operated as a pro-tem committee, writing and refining their constitution until it was approved by the Singapore Registrar of Societies.

On 9 Dec 1985, the founding members had their first official meeting.

And on 7 March 1986, Aware was formally launched at the Cairnhill Community Centre.

For four years, the members met in their kitchens, waiting rooms and offices, mostly in the evenings after work.

The 'host' would normally prepare some food for the rest. They paid for stationery and food from their own pockets.

There were no computers, so sub-committee heads had to use typewriters to churn out circulars and documents.

Aware's first forums and seminars were held at community centres and libraries, particularly the Queenstown library.

It was only in 1990 that the first Aware Centre was established out, in a second storey shophouse on Race Course Road. It was made available for use through Ms Claire Chiang, also an Aware member.

Mrs Lim said: 'One room was for the helpline, one for files, and the corridor was for meetings.'

Mrs Anuar recalled: 'On the first storey was an Indian restaurant, and we often ended up having Indian food for lunch, because it was right in front of us.'

She added that money then was a problem, and all the furniture was donated and second-hand. There were very few chairs and, during meetings, some members sat on straw mats.

Mrs Lim said: 'It was okay, we didn't mind.'

She added: 'I grew in Aware. I have a fear of public speaking, which I had to face up to whenever I had to make speeches as president. I learnt a lot.'

Through it all, the issues were what drove the founding leaders. Ms Zaibun said: 'There were just a few of us in that original committee, but we took on every single issue related to women - from women in the civil service, media, education.

'That's what Aware is for - to represent all women, and to address all issues. And in the process, we had such fun.'

I regret actions: Pastor Hong

FURTHER to Bishop John Chew's and my statement of 1 May 2009 in the media, I agree with him that the pulpit should not have been used in this Aware saga.

I regret that this matter has caused concern and unhappiness. My actions on the pulpit have aroused some tension in this saga.

I now stand corrected.

I undertake to be more sensitive to similar situations in the future.

- Senior Pastor Derek Hong

Tolerance and restraint needed: DPM Wong

'I welcome the statement by Dr John Chew, President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore.

'In our compact multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, racial and religious harmony underpins our stability. One of the key rules of engagement, therefore, is the need for tolerance and restraint by all groups. This is the only practical way, for all groups, regardless of their size or material influence, to enjoy maximum space to pursue their different faiths in peace.

'I thank the NCCS for its statement which soberly reminds us of this reality. It makes clear the Council's responsible stand. It will help prevent any misunderstanding that the churches are backing one side in the Aware dispute, or that this is a dispute between Christians and other Singaporeans.'

- Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng

This article was first published in The New Paper.