PUTRAJAYA: THE Campaign on Eliminating Violence Against Women (EVAW) is celebrated all around the globe every year on Nov 25
Such an important day is not only celebrated, but driven with purpose and cause by the Department of Women Development (JPW), which is under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
This year, JPW has escalated the campaign by using the hashtags #MalaysiaPrihatin, #Kitajagakita and #Kitajagawanita on the department's website as well as via all their social media channels and platforms to further create and spread awareness and advocacy on such a pertinent, pressing issue.
When met at her office here recently, JPW's director-general Dr Zurina Abdul Hamid was unequivocal in stressing that her department and the ministry are committed, focused and determined in addressing the issue of violence against women in any form.
"We have celebrated this day right here in Malaysia for as long as I can remember, and apart from celebrating such a day, we commemorate and do justice by it by strongly advocating its true meaning and purpose, while also highlighting all the initiatives and efforts already in place or that are being implemented to address, combat and lower the rate and cases of violence against women, a lot of which sadly still go unreported in this modern day and age.
"Violence against women is not just the deplorable act of physical abuse, but also verbal and non-verbal abuse such as constant criticism, name calling and threats, visual harassment such as exposing one's self and sending or sharing lewd materials and content, psychological abuse such as manipulation, control and humiliation, apart from human trafficking which involves a lot of women and children just to name a few," she shared.
She revealed that the rate of abuse cases towards women has been on the rise, with Selangor (538) and Johor (355) being the two states in Peninsular Malaysia which recorded the highest number of abuse cases between January and August this year.
The number of cases for the same period in Sabah numbered 164 cases and 381 in Sarawak.
She also noted that the continued threat of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) were undoubtedly contributing factors in the unwanted rise.
"The implementation of the MCO earlier this year and the CMCO recently due to the pandemic which has limited the rakyat's interaction and movement has somewhat contributed to the unwanted rise.
"Research and studies have shown that the implementation of the MCO and now CMCO has caused an increase in pressure and distress at home which has led to a rise in domestic abuse cases, and to make matters worse, the devastating effect of the spread of the virus on the economy has left thousands jobless almost overnight, and this too is a contributing factor.
"Selangor and Johor are also two states that are grappling with all sorts of social issues, and the geographical location as well as the pace of development in these two states also result in urban poverty and a high cost of living which just adds to the problem," she admitted.
Zurina pointed out that many cases and instances of abuse and violence towards women go unreported because apart from the victims being naturally fearful and afraid, they are also shy and ashamed if it were to be reported to the authorities.
In quite a few cases they are also dependent on the abusers, who are the husbands, boyfriends and even fathers or step-fathers.
She reiterated that the EVAW campaign, along with a few other initiatives that are already in place, are there for a purpose, which is to help victims of abuse free themselves of oppression, enduring pain and suffering as well as the dangers that they face.
"The EVAW campaign is not something we celebrate or focus on just for this month, it is something that we work very hard on throughout the year. Apart from the police, we work together with and cooperate with many other government agencies and departments for this, such as the 24-hour 'Talian Kasih' hotline which was set up by our ministry as an initiative in providing psychological support, the One Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC) introduced by the Health Ministry in 1996 which are located in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) units of major public hospitals, as well as the five safe houses or shelter homes.
"We've also got counsellors who engage with victims via the phone and face to face which is done by appointment, as well as legal clinics which are carried out in each and every state from time to time so that women know that there are channels and avenues for help and support that are readily at their disposal, which are publicised via the media and on all of our social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter," she said.
Zurina shared that women must muster the courage within to rise and defend themselves and fight for their rights when oppressed or abused, while warning that submissive behaviour and self- blame is very detrimental so much so it makes matters worse.
"As mentioned earlier, nowadays women have various channels and avenues in which to act and it starts by documenting what has happened, and then proceeding to report it to the authorities so that action can be taken and they can free themselves from the situation that they are in.
"All this will be very helpful and will enable justice to be served once an investigation commences and the case is heard and tried in a court of law," she pointed out.
From a legal standpoint, Zurina explained that once passed, the proposed sexual harassment bill or act will be a welcome deterrent as it will allow for harsher punishments to be meted out for those who are found to be guilty, but because of the change in government earlier this year, it will have to be tabled once more for approval.
"Malaysians must understand that when it comes to raising awareness on eliminating violence against women, everyone must play their part and not just turn a blind eye, deaf ear or simply leave it to or depend on the government and the relevant authorities. It all starts from within each and every home and community where mindsets must change and everyone must chip in one way or another if we are to succeed in winning the battle over such a pertinent issue.
"So everyone must play their part, especially from the top such as leaders all the way to those at grassroots community level. When there are eyes and ears in a community, then such violence can not only be detected but reported so that the appropriate, affirmative action can be taken if positive, impactful changes are to happen," stressed Zurina.
Quote: Violence against women is not just the deplorable act of physical abuse, but also verbal and non-verbal abuse such as constant criticism, name calling and threats, visual harassment such as exposing one's self and sending or sharing lewd materials and content, psychological abuse such as manipulation, control and humiliation.