Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)

What Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) does

AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) is a Singapore-registered charity and Institute of Public Character founded in November 1985, operating as the country's leading gender equality advocacy organisation. It delivers a multi-service support model anchored by the Women's Helpline (1800 777 5555) and the Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC), which together function as the primary crisis response channels, supported by the Women's Care Centre providing gender- and trauma-informed counselling, legal clinic, case management, and befriending services. The organisation also runs research, policy advocacy, and public education programmes across issues including domestic violence, marital rape, single parenthood, workplace sexual harassment, and eldercare, and has a documented record of influencing Singapore's Women's Charter amendments, citizenship and maternity leave policies, and protection of trafficking victims.

AWARE's core technology is limited to operational helpline systems, call log systems, and the aware.org.sg website platform that supports service delivery and content dissemination; it does not offer a technology product. It is funded through a diversified mix of individual and institutional donations, foundation and government grants (including the Tote Board Social Service Fund and the UN Women Fund for Gender Equality), member subscriptions, and professional services revenue from its Catalyse corporate training division. Operational sub-brands include Catalyse (corporate D&I training), CARE Services (case management and counselling), and the Saga podcast (a 12-episode documentary series on the 2009 AWARE Saga). The organisation is governed by a nine-member board and led by Executive Director Lim Shoon Yin, with a professionalised four-director structure spanning Advocacy/Research/Communications, CARE, and Operations.

Name

Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)

Legal name

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)

Website

https://aware.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AWARE is Singapore's leading gender equality non-profit, founded in 1985, operating the country's only Women's Helpline and Sexual Assault Care Centre alongside counselling, legal aid, advocacy, and corporate training programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gender Equality Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Gender equality advocacy
• Crisis helpline services
• Sexual assault support
• Diversity training
• Counselling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: AWARE is funded primarily through donations from individual and institutional donors. The organisation is a registered charity with Institute of Public Character status (1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026), making all donations tax-deductible.
2. Grants: AWARE receives grants from foundations and institutional donors to fund specific programmes and projects, such as the UN Women Fund for Gender Equality grant for the 'Gender Equality IS our culture!' project.
3. Member Subscriptions: AWARE is a not-for-profit organisation funded by donations, grants, and member subscriptions.
4. Corporate Training (Catalyse): Catalyse, AWARE's corporate training division, provides customised workshops and private consultation to inspire diverse and inclusive workplaces, generating revenue for the organisation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AWARE operates Singapore's only dedicated Women's Helpline (1800 777 5555) and Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC, 6779 0282), providing crisis support, counselling, legal clinic services, case management, and befriending for women. The organization also conducts gender equality research and advocacy, and runs Catalyse, a corporate training division offering workplace diversity, inclusion, and sexual harassment workshops.

Product overview

AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) is Singapore's leading women's rights and gender equality advocacy organization operating a multi-service support model. The core offerings include the Women's Helpline (1800 777 5555) and Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) as the primary crisis response services, supported by the Women's Care Centre providing counselling, legal clinic, case management, and befriending services. The organization operates Catalyse as its corporate training division, offers community engagement through the SPACE Programme, and conducts research and advocacy campaigns. AWARE also produces the Saga podcast, publishes educational resources and books, and maintains membership and donation programmes. Training programmes cover corporate, school, and community audiences. The organization does not offer a technology product but provides direct support services and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Catalyse: Corporate training division of AWARE that inspires diverse and inclusive workplaces through customised workshops and private consultation.
• CARE Services
• Saga Podcast

Products and services

• Women's Helpline Telephone support service (1800 777 5555) run by trained volunteers and staff, providing assistance, empathy, support, information, and encouragement to women; serves as gateway to all AWARE services.
• Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) Dedicated centre providing support for sexual assault survivors via helpline (6779 0282), befriending services, and accompaniment to police stations, hospitals, or courts.
• Women's Care Centre Comprehensive support center providing case management, counselling, legal advice, befriending, and other assistance to women in need through gender-and trauma-informed services.
• Counselling Services Professional counselling services for women provided through the Women's Care Centre, with appointments made via the Women's Helpline.
• Legal Clinic Legal consultation services provided through the Women's Care Centre, offering women access to legal advice and assistance.
• Call-Back and Chat Service Online text chat and call-back appointment service for individuals who cannot safely call the helpline, providing emotional support, options, and information about support resources.
• Catalyse Corporate Training Corporate training division offering customised workshops and private consultation to inspire diverse and inclusive workplaces, addressing workplace sexual harassment, diversity, and inclusion.
• Gender Equality Training Programmes Gender equality training programmes including Corporate Training, Workshops for Schools, and Community Programmes such as Birds & Bees parent workshops.
• Membership Programme Organisational membership allowing individuals to support AWARE's mission and participate in the organization's governance, including voting at the Annual General Meeting.
• Books and Publications AWARE has published over 20 books and numerous reports and position papers on gender equality and women's rights issues, including Growing Up Perempuan and Perempuan anthologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 32% increase in helpline calls and 48% increase in counselling clients in 2018 over 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BinjaiTreeminorOthersInstitutional donor supporting AWARE's work. Listed among institutional donors on AWARE's website.
• Care & ShareminorOthersInstitutional donor supporting AWARE's charitable programmes.
• Chew How Teck FoundationminorOthersFoundation donor supporting AWARE's initiatives.
• Hong Leong FoundationminorOthersCorporate foundation donor to AWARE.
• Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho TempleminorOthersReligious organisation donor supporting AWARE.
• Tan Ean Kiam FoundationminorOthersFoundation donor to AWARE.
• Tote Board Social Service FundminorOthersGovernment-linked fund supporting AWARE's social service programmes.
• BHP Billiton Marketing Asia Pte LtdminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Dymon Asia CapitalminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Holywell Foundation LimitedminorOthersFoundation donor to AWARE.
• Kah Motor Co Sdn BhdminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• KOP LimitedminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Marquard & Bahls AGminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• MUFG Fund Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.minorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Quilt.AI Pte LtdminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• TolaramminorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Twitter Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.minorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• U.S. Embassy SingaporeminorOthersInstitutional donor to AWARE.
• Wood Mackenzie Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.minorOthersCorporate donor to AWARE.
• Daughters Of TomorrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for The SHE Project shelter providing single mothers with stable housing and training, and for programmes supporting lower-income women with back-to-work support, confidence building, skills training, job placements, and mentorship.
• NUS Pro Bono Law SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on legal reforms addressing gaps in Singapore's legislation on trafficking.
• Ngee Ann PolytechnicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted survey on paternity leave which contributed to implementation of 2-week paternity leave policy.
• StopTraffickingSG CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of AWARE, Healthserve, HOME, TWC2, MARUAH and UN Women campaigning for better protection of trafficking victims in the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act.
• Solidaritas PerempuanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesian partner organisation for 'Gender Equality IS our culture!' project funded by UN Women.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO): National umbrella body for women's organisations in Singapore. Directly comparable as a Singapore-based women's rights and gender equality advocacy organisation operating support services and policy advocacy in the same market.
• Daughters of Tomorrow: Singapore non-profit empowering low-income women through skills training, mentorship, and back-to-work support. Direct partner of AWARE on The SHE Project and lower-income women programmes; shares AWARE's target beneficiary population and Singapore-only operating scope.
• Equality Now: International women's rights organisation working to end violence and discrimination through legal advocacy. Comparable in combining direct services, research, and policy reform — though operating globally rather than domestically in Singapore.
• YWCA Singapore: Singapore-based women's empowerment and social service organisation providing childcare, community programmes, and advocacy. Comparable in Singapore-only scope, gender-focused mission, and combined direct-service-plus-advocacy operating model.

Regional players

• Women's Aid Organisation (WAO): Malaysia's leading domestic violence and women's rights NGO, operating a crisis hotline, shelter, and policy advocacy programme. Regionally comparable to AWARE in mission and service model, though focused on Malaysia rather than Singapore.
• All Women's Action Society (AWAM): Malaysian feminist NGO providing crisis support, advocacy, and research on gender-based violence. Regionally comparable peer offering similar direct-services-plus-advocacy model in a neighbouring Southeast Asian country.
• Komnas Perempuan: Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women, conducting research, advocacy, and policy reform on gender-based violence. AWARE's partner Solidaritas Perempuan is part of the broader Komnas ecosystem; comparable in advocacy scale and Southeast Asia focus.

Broad incumbents

• UN Women: United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Comparable as a funder, convener, and policy advocate; AWARE has directly received UN Women grants and partners on cross-border projects.
• The Asia Foundation: International development organisation working across Asia on governance, women's empowerment, and civil society programmes. Comparable as a regional grant-maker and operator; relevant given AWARE's UN Women-funded cross-border project.

Emerging players

• Centre for Transnational Families: Singapore non-profit addressing issues affecting transnational and migrant families including women and children. Adjacent comparable peer given Singapore-only focus and intersecting issues (domestic violence, single parents) with AWARE's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/awarenews
• Facebookfacebook.com/awaresg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/awaresingapore
• Instagraminstagram.com/awaresingapore

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)