Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day, women are recognised for their push to break barriers and create a better world for all women. At The Weekly, we pay homage to the movement by celebrating five local women making change:
A multi-hyphenate who dabbles in modelling, acting and endurance sports, Kelly wants to use her voice for good by advocating for children’s access to education through the Happy Hearts Foundation.
On what makes her a trailblazer:
“I always believed that if you come from a position of privilege, it’s your duty to give back to people who have less. Advocacy has made me a better person and a better woman because it reminds me to be thankful for what I have, and since I have this platform, why not try to make someone else’s life better too?”
On how she’s pushing for change:
“I’m part of two organisations: The World Wildlife Fund and Happy Hearts Foundation. I’ve been the ambassador for Happy Hearts for four years now. Besides fundraising to build quake-resistant schools, I also organise trips to isolated areas in Indonesia where children have no access to electricity and water, and we see how we can help them.”
On her hopes and dreams for women:
“I want men and women to be on equal footing. As a woman, you not only have to be independent and selfless, but you also have the responsibility of child-rearing and nurturing the family. We have [so] many roles, yet we’re not considered equals.”
Kelly wears earrings, top and cape, all from Burberry; ring, models own; skirt and boots from Max Mara.
Sexually abused as a child, Devika still lives with the unresolved trauma that her ordeal imprinted on her. As a survivor, she’s using her voice to speak out against sexual violence.
On what makes her a trailblazer:
“What happened to me is always there, it’s part of my experience, it’s part of my life, but it doesn’t define me. When I was assaulted, I was about seven or eight [years old]. While I didn’t truly understand it then, I knew that it was unacceptable. I thought about ending my life. When I was older, I realised that I could turn the narrative around, and that something good can come out of this.”
On how she’s pushing for change:
“As a spokesperson for Aware Singapore’s ‘Aim For Zero’ Campaign, I extend the conversation and champion the cause of zero tolerance towards sexual violence. Now, how do we have zero tolerance? By making people more aware of what constitutes sexual violence, educating people on things like workplace harassment and body autonomy, and just changing their attitudes towards sexual assault victims and survivors so that they can be allies.”
On her hopes and dreams for women:
“I think women are incredible. We are united in the fact that we have so many barriers that we are constantly trying to break, and I hope for the future that we don’t let go of that spirit.”
Devika wears earrings from Monica Vinader; bodysuit, toga top and trousers, all from Gauchere; bracelet from APM Monaco; and shoes from Bimba Y Lola.
Using her knowledge of the law to serve the community better, June provides legal representation to clients of modest means. She also has a keen interest in matrimonial matters involving disadvantaged women.
On what makes her a trailblazer:
“I’ve been in practice for 12 years now. Five years ago, I identified a gap in legal services: People who did not qualify for legal aid from the government were left to market forces, and so, were unable to access the legal system. At Eden Law, we help people who fall within this gap.”
On how she’s pushing for change:
“For me, the legal system has to work for the rich as well as the poor. The reason I entered law in the first place was to work with women, who may be facing domestic violence issues, and also with migrant workers. At the moment, I’m doing a project with the Law Society’s Pro Bono Services Offices that provide legal aid to foreign spouses. I’m proud to be able to offer my resources, whatever little I have, to women in such situations.”
On her hopes and dreams for women:
“I hope that women will always be in the position to make their own choices – even if that means they have help along the way from various people, whether it be, financially or legally. I just want to be able to help women make sound decisions for themselves, their children and their immediate family.”
June wears dress from Issey Miyake; coat from Sandro; and bracelet from Atelier Swarovski.
Singapore ranks only 34th in United Nation’s 2019 World Happiness Report, and Sha-En is trying to move the needle with her science-based approach to joy.
On what makes her a trailblazer:
“Last year, my co-founder [Veronica Chua] and I started Happiness Scientists to offer courses on positive psychology to schools, companies and organisations; teaching people to understand their emotions, find out what they want, and communicate those wants, among other things. In a nutshell, we want to empower people to
be happier, using science.”
On how she’s pushing for change:
“As a former school teacher, I see that there’s a real need to tap into our psyche and define what makes us happy as Singaporeans. I intentionally help people to be happier by using solutions from the field of positive psychology. The feedback we’ve gotten from places, such as Raffles Institution, Chung Cheng High, Health Promotion Board, and Singapore Police Force, has been positive. I think they’re fascinated that there’s been actual research done on happiness.”
On her hopes and dreams for women:
“My wish for women is for us to take charge of our own happiness. Sometimes I think we give it away; we allow people to dictate what should make us happy, but to me, this is like outsourcing happiness. This is your life – you can be in charge of deciding what that life should look like.”
Sha-En wears dress from Cos; bracelet from Swarovski; and shoes from Charles & Keith.
A passionate believer in using art as a platform for change and progress, Alecia founded Unseen Art in 2014 to develop community-based projects that bring people together.
On what makes her a trailblazer:
“I’ve always been interested in shining a spotlight on issues that people know are there but don’t want to face because they’re embarrassing or inconvenient. Art is a window into issues like poverty, marginalisation and social equality, and it has given me a space to address them.”
On how she’s pushing for change:
“Human relationships have been an anchor for my work because I’m inspired to effect change by the situations I observe around me. I’ve created portraits of the underprivileged and HDB-dwellers isolated from mainstream society, so people can see how they truly live. Just last year, I developed a project with caregivers of loved ones with mental illnesses to highlight the weight that they carry. It’s my way of helping people to try and understand their world.”
On her hopes and dreams for women:
“Ultimately, I hope I can make a difference through my art, to create spaces where people can support each other regardless of age, creed or gender. In a society where there are lots of restrictions and expectations placed on [women], there needs to be space where people can learn to be accepting for others and themselves.”
Alecia wears blazer and trousers, both from Mulberry; ring (left hand) from Monica Vinader; stackable rings (right hand) from Atelier Swarovski; and shoes by Sergio Rossi.
Photos: Darren Chang
Art Direction: Ivy Choong
Stylist: Sifra Vania, assisted by Pricilia Chan
Hair: Ash Loi/Sonder Salon, using Revlon Professional
Makeup: John Lee, using Fenty Beauty (for Kelly Tandiono) and Audrey Wee, using Chanel Beauty
