United Nations in Malaysia invites everyone to join in the Global campaign to eliminate violence against women by going ‘Orange’

KL Tower will light up in orange for the second year running to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) and kick off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Karima El Korri, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia said, “the KL Tower will be ‘Orange’ again, and that is a symbol and reminder that violence against women still happens every day and a clarion call to everyone in Malaysia to help end all forms of violence against women”. The UN’s goal during in this campaign is simple. Make Orange your colour for the next 16 days and use every opportunity and platform to spread the message.

This global campaign has been given a high profile by the United Nations in Malaysia, with the United Nations Population Fund organizing several activities during the 16 days of activism. This year, UNFPA Malaysia has outlined a virtual forum titled “The Road to Justice”, messages from advocates and public figures, dialogues with key ministries, and a social media campaign culminating in the 2022 Malaysia Women and Girls Forum (MWGF) which will be held on the 15th of December.

As Malaysia has moved on to the endemic phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to address the root causes as well as the impact of violence against women in society.

UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem in her commemorative address stated that "Beyond laws and safety checks, we also need to radically transform how we view the rights of women and girls to make choices about their bodies and to live free from violence. This means disrupting harmful social and gender norms and dismantling every single barrier to these rights, starting with the most marginalized people who are subjected to the most acute violence and discrimination".

According to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development – the number of domestic violence cases in Malaysia during the first quarter of this year fell by only 8.4% (576) in comparison to the first quarter of 2021 (627). Sabah, however, saw an increase of 14% (145 in 2022 vs 126 in 2021). Out of the 1,055 child abuse cases reported in the first half of this year, 68% of all victims were girls. UNICEF’s report titled “Disrupting Harm” estimated that over 100,000 Malaysian children have been victims of online abuse – with a vast majority of the victims being girls.

“In spite of its pervasive presence across societies, violence against and Women and girls is a harmful practice, hindering social and equitable development, and it needs to stop. UNFPA is committed to work with all partners to deliver a more just and peaceful world to the women and girls we serve” stated Dr. Asa Torkelsson, the UNFPA Representative for Malaysia & Country Director for Thailand. “The good news is that eliminating violence against women and furthering peaceful societies for everyone, also pays off in terms of higher economic growth and overall development”.

“Violence takes many forms and is not only physical – violence against women can be economic, social, emotional, developmental and in today’s advanced communications infrastructure it can manifest itself digitally. Violence against women and girls becomes a barrier that impedes their choices, narrows their potentials and minimises them,  in tandem reducing their full potential and thereby contributions to national development.”

“There is still a long way to go to address the various socio-economic norms which prevent the elimination of Violence against Women in every country– these must be discussed openly and proactively, together with exploring solutions together, that can then be implemented– and it is our sincere hope that throughout these 16 Days of Activism, we can kickstart a progressive dialogue regionally that helps to solidify collective aspirations towards achieving SDG 5 - Gender Equality, “she concluded.

The impact of Gender Based Violence (GBV) on society can no longer be swept under the rug – the COVID-19 lockdowns and their lasting fallout on the wellbeing of women and girls has exposed these gaps to the world. Addressing GBV will ensure that no one is left behind while accelerating efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.