The gala dinner was in support of the organisation’s work in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality
“Wow, there’s a room full of people,” quipped Georgette Tan, the president of United Women Singapore, to much laughter from guests, including guest of honour Singapore president Halimah Yacob, who were gathered at the Island Ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel Singapore last Friday evening for Snow 2022.
The last Snow (Say No to the Oppression of Women) gala dinner was held in 2019, when the organisation was still known as the Singapore Committee for UN Women, so this year’s edition was significant as the first gala under its new name and truly one to “celebrate after having gone through the baptism of fire”, said Tan, on the past two years of the pandemic.
Even so, she shared that UWS’s guiding principles since its start have helped the organisation not only survive, but thrive through the pandemic, from deepening and expanding its programmes in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality to widening and strengthening its network of partners and supporters.
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And, of course, Snow 2022 was the occasion to celebrate the beacons of light—coincidentally the theme for the evening—that shine across the community, from women to their allies. UWS presented the Gender Equality Impact Awards to individuals who are advocates for gender equality in the course of their work, along with the STEM Champion Awards, which were given out to individuals and organisations that are strong proponents of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
In her keynote address, president Halimah spoke about eliminating violence against women in our society, while Sun Xueling, the minister of state for Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Education, in an intimate fireside chat with Tan, touched on the recommendations of the Taskforce on Family Violence, of which UWS is a proud partner.
Sustainability was also central to the evening as guests enjoyed a four-course plant-based menu, and everyone took home an herb pot, of Mexican mint or Indian borage among others, as a memento of an evening well spent in the company of a community that is dedicated to creating a deeper impact in fostering a gender equal society.
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