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…
In post-MCO Malaysia, COVID-19 containment measures will continue to mandate work from home, and restrict the opening of schools and care centres. As the economy gradually returns to “normal,” many women in Malaysia will find themselves shouldering additional care work…
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) welcomes the National Security Council’s (NSC) recent public service announcements (PSAs) on domestic violence. These PSAs are working. The Talian Kasih 15999 April statistics show that following the PSAs, more survivors are reaching out for help.…
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) joins the Selangor Government Taskforce on Health and Welfare to provide emergency measures for domestic violence survivors during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. The taskforce aims to provide immediate support and prevent the cycle of…
A policy brief published by the United Nations (UN) last week highlights how the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded gender inequality, with economic impacts disproportionately affecting women and girls, the reallocation of healthcare resources addressing the unique…
Effective 15th April, survivors of domestic violence and child abuse can now seek help through a national COVID-19 psychosocial support hotline (03-2935 9935), first set up by MERCY Malaysia and the Health Ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), and…