By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Nov 25 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the Federal government to find proactive measures to protect women from being victims of abuse.
Anwar said abused women need to be given adequate protection and attention so that their trauma can be attended to.
“Violence against women, especially domestic abuse, is a big and serious issue that must be given attention to as the movement control order (MCO) period continues.
"This limits the women and girls activities outside and made them more vulnerable to abuses at home," he said in a statement made in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that is celebrated today.
The Port Dickson MP said the United Nations (UN) also reported an increase of similar cases in various countries due the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the Malaysian Medical Association outlined several reports showing an increase of abuse during the prolonged period of the MCO as people faced financial problems and stress.
“In Malaysia, we lack the data or information that can be accessed to evaluate these symptoms as many cases are not reported.
"This makes the government's policy less effective and unable to protect the women," he said.
