AWARE Commemorates 30 Years of the Women’s Helpline with A Fundraising Campaign

In a world where communication constantly evolves into automation devoid of that human connection, it is hard to find a listening ear who can validate your feelings and offer up crucial information when you need it the most.

Since the launch of the Women’s Helpline in 1991, AWARE has been at the forefront in providing support to women, with more than 6,000 calls received each year. Trained volunteers and staff have been on hand to act as a beacon of light for women who may be feeling lost, lonely, or crushed by circumstances beyond their control.

Grounded in feminist principles, the Helpline is run by women, for women, and does not discriminate, treating all callers as equals while recognising women to be resourceful and capable when tackling the most difficult and challenging of situations.

Over the years, many women have turned to the Helpline for gender-informed and trauma-informed support as well as access to AWARE’s counselling or legal clinic services, but there were many others who simply needed a reminder that someone was in their corner, especially in their moments of doubt and darkness.

Although it has been almost three decades since its inception, running such a service still requires enormous behind-the-scene work that includes costs of operations and more.

This is where you come in.

AWARE is currently in the midst of a four-month Helpline Fund campaign, ending on 31 December 2022, which aims to raise $250,000 via Give.Asia to help support the Women’s Helpline operations into the future.

The raised funds will go towards months of intensive volunteer training, staff to manage operations smoothly, research to make sure the service is up to speed on the latest developments, as well as infrastructure to keep multiple lines (including an online chat service) open throughout the day, even during a pandemic.

You can donate what you can here to support the continued operation of AWARE’s Women Helpline and related services. All donations will be matched 100% by the Tote Board and government, while excess funds will be directed towards other services and programmes to support women. For more information on the Helpline, click here.

You can also watch this video below to hear from a few callers, in their own words.