SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — Advocacy to prevent violence towards women and children in Selangor are being carried out year-round instead of just during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, said state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari.
She added that the approach was introduced last year to ensure prevention messages are delivered continuously and reach target groups more effectively.
“Selangor’s population is large, causing us to receive many cases of violence against women.
“Previously, every year from November 25 to December 10, we held a 16-day campaign rejecting violence. However, starting last year, I asked for this campaign to be carried out throughout the year.
“Police are among our partners, and this advocacy has been expanded to the public, university students and various other sectors. We want to educate society on the steps victims can take to protect themselves,” she told Media Selangor.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign observed from November 25 to December 10. Launched in 1991, the campaign advocates for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Anfaal said gender-based violence prevention efforts have been incorporated into various state programmes, including Jelajah Wanita Berdaya Tahan Selangor.
“Through this series, we deliver anti-violence messages creatively. We organise forums, theatrical performances, and mobilise supervisors from Pusat Wanita Berdaya with the objective of preventing women from being mistreated.”
She urged women facing violence to lodge police reports to ensure their safety, adding that those who are embarrassed or worried about going to a police station can file a report online through the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Skuad Aman Wanita (AMANITA).
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the rise in violence involving youth, especially women victimised by people they know, must be taken seriously.
She said recent incidents show that victims know their attackers, which warrants closer examination, including the possibility of gender-based violence and a sense of entitlement when individuals face rejection.
