Former Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director, Ivy Josiah, said the ‘Take Back The Night’ event, held last Thursday, was something that would never have happened 40 years ago.
While acknowledging there was still a long way to go before women and gender-queer individuals all over the world could feel ‘safe’, Josiah thanked Apshy Vimal, co-founder of Yuzu Media and host of The Woke Up Show, for taking the first step, and successfully organising the event at Taman Rimba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
“I started volunteering at a shelter for victims and survivors of domestic violence in 1982. Everywhere I went to get donations, people said to shut it down as Malaysian men do not beat their partners,” Josiah shared.
“How wrong those people were. It is 2023, and WAO serves about 2,000 people a year through its various programmes.
“Today’s event is a good start for us to raise awareness, that much needs to be done to help women. And I am happy to see many men in the audience.”
‘Take Back The Night’ has its roots in the United States of America, beginning in the 1970s before becoming an international campaign to eradicate all forms of domestic, relationship, and sexual abuse.
The event was held in conjunction with International Women’s Day, on March 8. It was also about raising awareness against laws that are biased towards women.
Josiah said women now have more confidence in the justice system, which is why more of them are coming forward and filing police reports.
“Previously, there were no laws to protect them. If they were to file a report, some would say, ‘it is a small, or internal matter between husband and wife’,” lamented Josiah.
She added that it was difficult to convince people that domestic violence was real and that many blamed women for it.
“Some say the woman must have done something wrong if she was assaulted. They are missing the point. No one deserves to be beaten or attacked,” she said.
“This is what we must fight for, to take back the night. Stand up against violence against women.”
Singer-songwriter Zee Avi shared how when she had said women should be aggressive and speak up for their rights, she was called ‘gila’ (crazy).
“The word ‘gila’ has a negative connotation, and I am disappointed by the insinuations when used on women who just want to make a change,” said the Sarawakian.
“If these are the traits of being aggressive, or wanting to make a difference, then be aggressive, as we have the power to make the change.”
Josiah and Zee were two of four keynote speakers. The others were broadcast journalist Tehmina Kasooji, and humanitarian Deborah Henry.
Ten others read out poems, told jokes and one played a traditional Sarawakian instrument, the sape.
Apshy said she was delighted by the turnout, adding that many of the performers got in touch with her through social media, wanting to be a part of the event.
“I hope to make this an annual event, as we must continue speaking out on women’s rights. It is not just women. Men, too, must start having these conversations,” said Apshy.
MCO, THREE YEARS ON
Can you believe, it is three years since the first Movement Control Order (MCO)? For those keeping score, it is Day 1,096.
A lot has changed since then. For a start, this Diary was a daily event before becoming a weekly affair.
The first issue, sans a song at the end, talked about how some people treated the MCO as a holiday.
If you want to read all 85 daily Diary articles – 84 consecutive days and one on the first anniversary – plus the 144 previous weekly entries, click here.
These days, it is not uncommon to see most people walking around without facemasks. Life is almost back to normal.
For the record, as of yesterday, Malaysia recorded 5,045,192 cases, 4,998,845 recoveries and, sadly, 36,967 fatalities.
Worldwide, there are 682,372,499 cases and 6,818,735 deaths.
The good news is that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced that at some point this year, Covid-19 will no longer be a global public health emergency.
RIDE TO RAISE
World Down Syndrome Day is on March 21. This year’s theme is ‘With Us, Not For Us’.
Sure.life and Journey have joined forces to organise the ‘Ride to Raise: A Journey for Down Syndrome Children’. The event is an indoor charity ride to benefit the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation-National Centre (KDSF-NC).
Each ‘Ride to Raise’ session consists of 45 minutes of indoor cycling at the Journey Indoor Cycling Studio, Plaza Zurich. KDSF-NC will receive all proceeds from the campaign.
Do your part by registering on the VSure mobile application: www.vsure.life/dl
RETURN OF PJ START-UP FESTIVAL
The fourth PJ Start-up Festival is on April 1 and 2 at Dewan Sivik MBPJ (9am-5pm). Entrance is free.
The festival will showcase some of the best start-ups from Malaysia and the region. It is also an opportunity to connect start-ups with investors.
Social Security Organisation (Socso) has partnered with the event for the ‘Festival MYFutureJobs Career Job Fair’ that features 14 employers conducting open interviews with job seekers.
BELLY UP
British chef, restaurateur, and food writer Yotam Assaf Ottolenghi presents his take on oregano-stuffed porchetta. Delicious.
CHIKI CHIKI BOOM
To end this week’s Diary, we have the great Saloma with the calypso-inspired ‘Chiki Chiki Boom’ from the 1959 film ‘Saudagar Minyak Urat’.
Saloma grabbed attention with this song when she appeared in a scene at a nightclub dressed like Carmen Miranda.
Until next week, stay safe.
