SIROM Walk the Talk 2016 Press Release
Communities can play a Meaningful Role as a Key Support Group to Stop Violence Against Women.
(for a msword doc version, please click here: press-release)
Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia Advisor to the Walk The Talk – Stop Violence Against Women 2016, themed “Community Against Violence” has challenged members of communities to walk the talk to send the message that with community support, care and concern, they will be a force to help reduce, if not to eliminate all acts of violence against women and girls.
The annual walk, the fifth in the series, will be held on 27 November 2016, in conjunction with the UN 16 days of Activism to Eliminate Gender Violence Against Women from 25 November to 10 December.
The SIROM Walk the Talk 2016 will have the support of Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat (KPWKM), Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita (JPW), National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO), Police DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) and Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) as its partners.
YB Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, who officiated the launch of SIROM Walk The Talk 2016 said: “Violence against women is an issue that is to be tackled as it affects the progress and the prosperity of women and therefore the theme, ‘Community Against Violence’ is timely for us to take a stand to combat violence in the community.”
Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam, event advisor, said, “if acts of violence, including sexual violence that takes place in public places and in homes, are given more attention by members of the community, and if the residents, shops, malls, sports and recreational clubs, schools and police stations in the community can work together, it would make a valuable difference to help prevent and reduce incidents of violence.
“When certain members of the community with bad intent realise that they are being watched and there is community care, concern and alertness, that may put them off from so freely carrying out their acts of violence.”
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Senior Vice-Chairman of MCPF, in his statement, said: “Victims or survivors of violence such as murders, rape and kidnapping are left with physical and emotional scarring, chronic pain and trauma which not only affects the victim but also their loved ones and family members of the victims. Therefore preventing crime is a shared responsibility.”
Datuk Rusli Ahmad from PDRM noted that there was a downward trend of cases of violence against women for the past three years, thanks to the efforts to raise awareness on the issue and PDRM is willing to give their full cooperation to initiatives or programmes that can contribute to the betterment and welfare of the community.
NCWO President, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah said: “Efforts to combat violence must start from young. However, the current exposure to the newer interactive media which children are exposed to, gives them the message that violence is socially acceptable and is the best way to solve problems. Therefore the challenge now is about using technology rightly, morally, ethically and legally to solve many of humanity’s pressing problems… ”
This year there will be two routes offered to the walkers which are 5KM or 3.5KM starting and ending at Taman Botani Perdana on 27 November 2016. The event will include talks and safety demonstrations by Master Saiful Hamiruzzam on “How to Be Your Own Bodyguard” which will also touch on the Cyber aspect. This year a special workshop on “The Malaysia We Want for Our Family and Community”, for children from ages 9 to 18, will be held as a side event, organised by NCWO.
The walk is targeting 1,000 walkers from various community residents’ associations, corporates, sports and recreational clubs and the general public.
Event and registration details are as below :
Venue : The Canopy, Taman Botani Perdana
Date : 27 November 2016 (Sunday)
Registration : 7.00am
Flag Off : 8.00am
Participation fee for the walk is RM30 per person and each participant will be entitled to a specially designed Walk The Talk t-shirt for the Walk and a goody bag or RM40 for the Walk and the Talk, where each participant will receive a t-shirt, goody bag, entrance to the talk and refreshments.
Applications to join the walk can be done via the Soroptimist website – www.soroptimistmalaysia.org at – http://goo.gl/HgZvGS or email to siromwtt@gmail.com. Closing date for registration is 21 November 2016 and T-Shirt and goody bags can be picked up from 14-25 November onwards from C/O Westports, Unit C4-6-8, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur or 19-20 November 2016 from Bukit Damansara Community Centre.
About Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia
Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia is part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide service organisation for women. It is a global voice for women working through Awareness, Advocacy and Action and committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.
Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia has been established in the country for the past 25 years. Its members come from various educational, social and cultural backgrounds but share the same passion to educate and improve the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment or enabling opportunities.