PUTRAJAYA, Aug 8 — About 500 participants, including individuals with disabilities (PwD), joined a three-kilometre 'fun walk' in Putrajaya today to raise awareness against sexual harassment.
The Langkah Kasih Merdeka KPWKM@Advokasi Anti Gangguan Seksual programme saw participants walk from the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) to the Palace of Justice, carrying anti-sexual harassment notices and handing them out to the various ministries and premises along the route.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the notices were presented to the Ministry of Communications and Digital, the Ministry of Local Government Development, and the Attorney-General's Department, among others.
"The notices should be prominently displayed within the buildings of the relevant ministries and agencies, serving as a symbol of solidarity and unity in addressing matters of sexual harassment," she told reporters after officiating the program earlier today.
Nancy hoped the 'fun walk' programme, held in conjunction with National Month 2023, will help create a safe environment in line with the principles of well-being, one of the pillars of Malaysia Madani.
The Malaysia Madani concept launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on January 19 is based on six core values, namely Sustainability, Prosperity, Innovation, Respect, Trust, and Compassion.
The minister said concerning sexual harassment reports lodged, there are still victims, especially men, who opted not to report the incidents to authorities and remained silent, noting that there were 506 recorded cases of sexual harassment so far.
"If it occurs, please report it (if you are a victim). That is why we are organising awareness-raising advocacy programmes so our society can get to know what is meant by sexual harassment," she said.
Meanwhile, Taska Anak Istimewa Sindrom Down (Taska ANISD) supervisor Siti Nurul Aina Mohd Naim said the 'fun walk' event organised by KPWKM offered a chance to the special-needs children and herself to engage with ministry personnel and other participants involved.
"This is my first time participating. Another fellow educator and I brought four special needs pupils, aged four, from Taska ANISD to participate. Alhamdulillah, they are happy to join, even though it is their first time being part of a programme with so many people," she said.
KPWKM legal advisor Sharifah Nur Amirah Syed Ahmad Yunus, 30, said such activities not only strengthened the relationships among KPWKM members but also provided them with an opportunity to interact and be friendly with the target group.
“Activities like this should be held regularly because they not only instil patriotic spirit but also raise awareness among the community about sexual harassment, especially at the workplace," she said, adding a workplace free from sexual harassment allowed employees to work comfortably and safely.
— Bernama
