Tell Malaysian Women's Organisations: Stand AGAINST Violence Against Women, Not FOR It.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), a nationwide coalition of Malaysian women's organisations, has a member organisation called AWAM (the All Women's Action Society) which has two office-bearers who have committed serious acts of violence against women (VAW). In 2009, the current treasurer sexually assaulted a woman by grabbing her breast and on July 14 2013, the president assaulted a woman at a public function by slapping her face. The other organisations in JAG such as the Women's Aid Organisation, Empower, Sisters in Islam and the Women's Centre for Change supported AWAM when people questioned it for allowing the sex offender to become an office-bearer in 2012; and have refused to take action against it on the recent assault. Instead, they have deleted posts and queries by concerned people from their FB pages. VAW is the main issue the Malaysian women's movement was built upon; and it mars the lives of thousands of Malaysian women daily. It is grossly hypocritical and dangerous for AWAM/JAG to take this position. They have ignored calls for accountability from concerned Malaysians but hopefully the voices of the international community will make a difference. Tell AWAM/JAG: Stand AGAINST VAW, not FOR it. (See http://holdawamaccountable.wordpress.com/ for more information). Click here to see full textClick here to see full textClick here to see full text