Walk to raise awareness about violence against women

(From left) Prof Dr Sharifah, Rohani, Siew Yong and PDRM Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Rusli Ahmad at the launch of the walk.

THE Walk The Talk – Stop Violence Against Women 2016, themed “Community Against Violence” is encouraging members of communities to join the cause to support, show care and concern, and help reduce, if not to eliminate all acts of violence against women and girls.

The annual walk, the fifth in the series, organised by Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia (Sirom) will be held on Nov 27, in conjunction with the United Nations 16 days of Activism to Eliminate Gender Violence Against Women from Nov 25 to Dec 10.

It is supported by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Women’s Development Department, National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO), Royal Malaysian Police and with Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) as its partners.

This year, there will be two routes – 5km and 3.5km – starting and ending at Taman Botani Perdana.

The event will include talks and safety demonstrations on “How to Be Your Own Bodyguard” which will also touch on the cyber aspect.

There will also be a special workshop on “The Malaysia We Want for Our Family and Community”, for children aged nine to 18 years old.

The walk, which will be flagged off at 8am, is targeting 1,000 walkers from various residents’ associations, corporations, sports and recreational clubs and the general public.

Participation fee for the walk is RM30 per person and each participant is entitled to a specially designed Walk The Talk T-shirt for the walk and a goodie bag or RM40 for the Walk and the Talk, where each participant will receive a T-shirt, goodie bag, entrance to the talk and refreshments.

Register by downloading the form from www.soroptimist.org.my, email [e-mail] or register online at http://goo.gl/HgZvGS.

The closing date for registration is Nov 21 and T-shirt and goodie bags can be picked up from Nov 14 to 25 at C/O Westports, Unit C4-6-8, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur or on Nov 19 and 20 from Bukit Damansara Community Centre.

For details, call 012-489 4891.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, who officiated at the launch of the walk said, “Violence against women is an issue that is to be tackled as it affects the progress and the prosperity of women and therefore the theme, ‘Community Against Violence’ is timely for us to take a stand to combat violence in the community.”

Also present at the launch were event advisor Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam, MCPF senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and NCWO president Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah.