Although staying at home is a necessary and unavoidable measure to ensure societal safety and well-being in the face of COVID-19, for many domestic violence survivors, the ‘safe haven’ of home simply does not exist. During this time, it is…
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) services for domestic violence survivors remain available virtually throughout 18-31 March 2020 (the COVID-19 restricted movement period). This includes case consultations (phone/WhatsApp), counselling (video), and other crisis support. WAO services are free and confidential. If you…
Before the political upheaval, there had been steady progress towards reforms to improve women’s rights. Many of these reforms were close to being tabled in Parliament—and would have improved the lives of millions of women in Malaysia. Here are five…
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) is outraged by attempts to undermine the will of voters, and demands for fresh elections in order to protect our democracy. In GE14, Malaysians voted for reforms as promised in the Harapan…
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) is extremely disappointed that a Malaysia Airlines flight supervisor has failed to get justice in the Industrial Court after she was terminated for being "overweight". This is a case of discrimination—more specifically, weight discrimination. And we are appalled…
On Monday (3 February), a man allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death in a house in Sentul. This gruesome murder, which was reported in the media, may seem like an isolated incident, but it could, in fact, point to a…
In August, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Professor Philip Alston, conducted a country visit to Malaysia. It may have seemed an unlikely choice, given Malaysia’s significant economic growth in recent years and low official poverty rate,…
From the time Diana was nine years old, her stepfather abused her. Diana had bruises on her hands, hips, and backside from when her stepfather would hit her, throw objects at her, and push her against the wall. Diana’s stepfather…
Statement by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, announced that a special tribunal for hearing cases of sexual…
From beauty commercials to airbrushed fashion models to the latest fad diet, unrealistic beauty expectations bombard girls relentlessly, chipping away at their self-esteem. It is no wonder that growing up can be a labyrinth for many adolescent girls. To equip…