UNFPA Malaysia, in collaboration with the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), proudly launched Portraits, a ground-breaking report capturing the lived experiences and resilience of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in Malaysia. The report offers vital insights and recommendations aimed at strengthening the country’s One-Stop Crisis Centres (OSCCs).

The launch event, held in Kuala Lumpur, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, and academics, all united in the shared mission of creating a more survivor-centred response to gender-based violence.

We were honoured to welcome YB Yeo Bee Yin, Chair of the Parliament Special Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development and Member of Parliament for Puchong, as our keynote speaker. In her address, YB Yeo emphasized the critical role of inclusive policy reform and cross-sector collaboration in addressing the complexities of GBV in Malaysia.

Also in attendance were Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Malaysia Representative; Datuk Mariati Robert, Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM); as well as representatives from key ministries, universities, and non-governmental organisations.

The event featured a compelling panel discussion moderated by Dr. Claudia Abreu Lopes (UNU-IIGH), with esteemed panelists including Dr. Siti Suhaila Hamzah (Ministry of Health), Ooi Say Tee (Women’s Centre for Change, Penang), and Asmar Asmadi Abdullah Sani (Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development). Together, they explored key recommendations from the Portraits report and shared practical strategies for enhancing the quality, accessibility, and impact of OSCCs.

Key recommendations emerging from the discussion included:

• Empowering medical officers through ongoing training and psychological first-aid
• Removing accessibility barriers, particularly for marginalised and underserved communities
• Strengthening collaboration between government agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs)
• Professionalising and regulating the social work profession to ensure consistent and high-quality support services

These discussions were informed by real-life testimonies and grounded in survivor-centred principles—reminding us that systemic change must be rooted in the realities of those most affected.

The Portraits report is a call to action. It urges all stakeholders—policymakers, healthcare workers, NGOs, and communities—to come together in building a more responsive and compassionate system that places survivors at its core.

UNFPA Malaysia remains committed to supporting the Government of Malaysia and its partners in advancing a holistic, rights-based approach to ending gender-based violence and ensuring no one is left behind.

For more information and to access the full #Portraits report, please visit here