MARUAH
MARUAH is a Singapore human rights NGO which actively works advocating for the respect and upholding of human rights in accordance with both national and international norms. The organization is a focal point for the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.
MARUAH works on raising awareness, understanding and knowledge of human rights and issues surrounding them at the national, regional and international levels in the country and ASEAN. It also facilitates engagement, participation and education of the public, groups and other organizations in Singapore on human rights and related issues while providing a civil society perspectives on human rights issues at all levels.
Transient Workers Count Two (TWC2)
TWC2 is an NGO that works on the promotion of fair treatment of migrant workers in Singapore. It envisions a society that recognizes and values the important contribution they make to households, economy and country’’.
Through conducting ground research and engaging with policy makers and employers, TWC2 advocates for an enlightened policy framework for migrant labor in Singapore. The organization also assists migrant workers so that they have fair resolution of their cases, access to medical care, dignity in work and living conditions, and protection of their autonomy. Last, but not least, the organization engages in public education to teach the public about the social conditions in which exploitation, abuse and injustice occur.
Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
AWARE is a Singapore based women’s rights NGO that works on advocacy and promotion of the rights of both women and men so that they have equal access to education, marriage and employment. More particularly, AWARE advocates for the rights of women to control their own bodies and fully enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights.
AWARE’s mission is to ‘’remove all gender-based barriers so as to allow all individuals in Singapore to develop their potential to the fullest and realize their personal visions and hopes’’. It achieves this through research and advocacy, education and training, and support services. It advocates against policies, laws and mindsets that discriminate against women and contributes towards the strengthening of laws related to domestic violence.
Think Centre
Think Centre is a Singapore based NGO founded in 1999 with a goal to advocate, examine and raise awareness on civil society issues in the country related to human rights, rule of law, development and democracy. For many years, the organization has been active in initiating and facilitating involvement of the local civil society in human rights awareness and promotion.
The organization’s work is applicable on both national and regional levels, and where necessary, on international levels as well. Think Centre is active in the promotion and protection of human rights. More specifically it advocates against death penalties and the respect of right to life, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, labor rights, and rights of migrant workers and their families.
Sayoni
Sayoni is an NGO composed of queer women, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. It advocates for equality in dignity and well-being of women regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sexual characteristics.
Sayoni was established in 2006 and since then it advocates for equality on all levels with a vision of ‘’empowering queer women towards greater involvement and presence in the community’’. Its advocacy and education efforts include advocating on an international level, such as reporting to the UN, engaging and advocating on both national and regional level with local groups and governments, campaigning and publications, with a mission ‘’to provide resources and communication channels that would contribute to self-confidence, participation and a voice’’.
Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME)
HOME is a Singapore based NGO established in 2004 with an aim to empower and support migrant workers who find themselves victims of human rights violations and who suffer from exploitation and abuse.
HOME implements a variety of outreach projects and public education on issues affecting migrant workers. Its work is guided through three pillars: welfare, empowerment and advocacy. The organization’s goal is increase awareness on situation of migrant workers in Singapore through campaigns and public education. Through its advocacy work it hopes to achieve changes to improve the lives of this affected population in Singapore.
Advocates for Refugees
Advocates for Refugees is an NGO based in Singapore that works on raising awareness on the issues of refugees and forced migration in Singapore. It advocates and campaigns for the rights of refugees in the country.
The organization conducts research to soften the position of Singapore government when it comes to treating refugees and asylum seekers. Through its research, Advocates for Refugees seeks to better understand, inform and give recommendations on policies, as well as support legal aid organizations in the country. It also runs campaigns to shape the public opinion on the issues related to refugees and partners up with local and regional organization that support displaced communities.
We Believe In Second Chances
We Believe in Second Chances is a youth led NGO in Singapore advocating for the respect of the right to life and the abolishment of the mandatory death penalty. It is led by a belief that ‘’it is unjust to impose the mandatory death penalty on anyone, as a mandatory sentence does not allow for mitigating circumstances to be taken into account’’.
Along with campaigning and raising awareness on issues surrounding the death penalty in Singapore, the organization’s goal is to build a community of support around families of death row inmates. The organization believes that everyone needs to take the responsibility for their mistakes and that no crime should go unpunished, but it also believes that problematic and unjust laws in the country need to be revised and debated.
Project X
Project X is an NGO that protects the rights of sex workers in Singapore and aims to encourage their acceptance in society while fighting against misconceptions and stigma related to their work. The organization campaigns for better health services and against violence against sex workers.
Project X works on increasing awareness of sex workers about their basic human rights, thereby increasing reports of violence and abuse. It also advocates for universal access to sexual health services and speaks out against violence committed against sex workers from law enforces, clients, and the public. It also empowers sex workers to take charge of their lives through self-determination and educates them about health issues.
United Women Singapore (UWS)
UWS is a locally based NGO that works on the advancement of women’s rights in Singapore, as well as empowerment and gender equality by building a pipeline of women leaders and influencers. The organization’s mission is to ‘’create opportunities through programs and partnerships that help women and girls maximize their full potential, and empower them to become future leaders.
UWS works on narrowing the gender equality gap through education as well as through advocacy and raising awareness on issues ranging from anti-violence to women’s empowerment. It is supported by key stakeholders, including corporate partners, government agencies, academia, the diplomatic community, non-profits and community groups and the wider community.
