Walking The Talk 2016

27 Nov 2016

More than 700 had signed up for this fifth edition of the annual Walk the Talk, held at Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, on 27 November, during UN’s 16 Days of Activism. However, while the heavy rain reduced the numbers a little, Soroptimist members and supporters turned up to advocate stopping violence against women.

WTT Founder and SISWP Past President Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam said: “This year we have chosen the theme, “Community Against Violence” as it is increasingly clear that communities can and should play a meaningful role as key support groups to stop violence and abuse against women and girls. If members of the community are more alert, show care and concern, I am confident that we will be more aware of acts of violence that take place in public places and in homes in our neighbourhood. More importantly, if the members of the community feel there are “watchdogs” among them, those who have bad intent will be put off from carrying out their acts of violence. [read more at press-statement-wtt-271116]

“Some walkers were raring to go and braved the rain after a round of Zumba exercises. Those who did not walk the official 5 KM walk still walked under the canopy at Taman Botani (Botanical Gardens) KL led by the City Hall band.”

Flagged off by the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) YB Datuk Hajah Azizah Bt Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Dun, the walkers were enthusiastic and supportive of the cause, despite the rain.

SIROM President Anita Pater said that it was wonderful to see clubs “walking the talk” in different parts of Malaysia. “In KL we were blessed with rain – lots of it! Some brave ones still did the walk though.” She added.

The success of the event was due to the combination of our partners and supporters. Puan Sri Siew Yong thanked the Ministry of Women through Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita (JPW) as our partner in organising this walk, together with the strong support of National Council of Women’s Organisations’ (NCWO) of which SIROM belongs, the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) and Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM). In addition, thanks were given to our corporate sponsor, Westports Malaysia, and our sponsors with walkers, CIMB Bank and KL Convention Centre, Tropicana Residents Association and Bukit Tunku Residents Association who have shown exemplary corporate and community social responsibility by supporting this cause. Thanks also to Salonpas for sponsoring plasters for the walkers.

Outside of the Klang valley, Walk the Talk was being held in drier weather. In Johor, SI Iskandar Puteri held their own Walk the Talk while across the South China Sea, in Sabah, SI Kota Kinabalu held their version of Walk the Talk. SIKK President Vilina Passon said: “We are here to show our concern, support, care to eliminate all actions to end all forms of violence against women girls.”

SIROM President and SIP Past President Anita Pater, and SISWP President Elect, YSP Chairman and SIPJ Past President Dato' Anusha Santhirasthipam

SIROM President and SIP PP Anita Pater, and SISWP PE, YSM Chairman and SIPJ PP Dato’ Anusha Santhirasthipam

We made it through the rain!

SI Damansara’s PP and SIROM Auditor Kala Subramaniam, SI Ampang President Meriam Sh Ismail, SI Damansara President Joanne Yeoh, SI Damansara’s PP and SIROM PE Saradha Narayanan, SI Damansara’s Chok Kwee Bee

SI Bangsar ladies and two gentlemen supporters – SICB PE and SIROM Constitution Convenor Pushpa Ratnam, Vivien, Khoo Suat Pheng, President Sally Lim, IPP Datin Indira Naidu, Doris Lim, Vice-Chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lee Lam Thye, PDRM Deputy Commissioner Datuk Wira Chuah, Datin Leong Swee Han, and SWP Assistant Membership Convenor Asia and SIROM Extension Convenor Helena Cheah