The escalation of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic has been referred to as a “pandemic within a pandemic.” Following lockdowns to control the virus, there has been both a rise in physical gender-based violence at home, and in gender-based…
Enquiries to Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) domestic violence telephone and messaging services increased 3.4 times in May compared to pre-MCO levels. Reports of domestic violence to WAO have risen steadily since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation…
Below is Women's Aid Organisation's (WAO) response to the Penjana Economic Stimulus Package announcement. Please attribute quotes to: Sumitra Visvanathan, Executive Director, Women's Aid Organisation (WAO). We view positively the gender-responsive components of Penjana stimulus package, including childcare subsidies, flexible work arrangement incentives,…
Domestic violence is a serious public health concern. Domestic violence affects hundreds of thousands of Malaysian women, and is associated with other negative health conditions. More survivors seek help from hospitals and clinics compared to any other service provider –…
This Saturday, two sports celebrities and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) are joining hands in #Cricket4WomensAid, an online event open to the public to spread the message of girls’ empowerment through sports while raising money to fund WAO’s programmes for child…
Recently, the Malaysian government has announced the tabling of a RUU Pelaksanaan Langkah Sementara (COVID-19 Temporary Measures Bill) in the July parliamentary seating. The temporary measures bill sets out to provide economic, social and welfare relief to industries, sectors and…
We are deeply concerned that there will be no debate in the upcoming one-day Parliamentary session. This decision, coupled with the delay in Parliament fully convening until July, prevents Parliament from carrying out its role of debate, scrutiny, and legislative…
In an abrupt reversal of its previous position, the government announced last week that all undocumented migrants identified during the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) would be sent to detention centres. This announcement, coupled with the new requirement that foreign…
Domestic violence survivors can access a range of protection mechanisms during the conditional Mmovement Control Order (MCO). These mechanisms include police reports, Interim Protection Orders, Emergency Protection Orders, and medical care at the One Stop Crisis Centres in government hospitals…
In these challenging times, girls from marginalised communities are facing great difficulties in accessing hygiene products and maintaining their health. As such, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has launched the #GirlsForGoalschallenge to raise awareness of girls’ rights and to provide self-care…
