Men stepping forward against domestic violence

Ahmad Zakiyuddin (red mask) with some of the walkers showing the Stop Violence gesture after completing the walk at the sports complex.

SOME 100 men took part in a ‘Virtual Walk’ with Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman as part of the state’s Penang Goes Orange (PGO) campaign to stop violence against women.

Organised by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), the event saw participants walking round the track at the Seberang Prai City Council’s (MBSP) sports complex in Bertam.

Some also followed the event live via the PWDC Facebook page and walked at the parks near their residence, or at home.

The PGO, which is in line with objectives of the International Orange Day, started since 2014 and Penang is the first state to conduct the campaign.

“It is held every year to raise public awareness on the issue of violence against women and children as well as find solutions to stop the violence, ” said Ahmad Zakiyuddin.

Among the participants were state Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, state Financial Officer Datuk Dr Farazi Johari, deputy state Speaker Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah, Penang police deputy chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Majid, several state assemblymen, heads of various departments and agencies, and representatives from various sectors.Ahmad Zakiyuddin explained that the ‘Virtual Walk’ had 100 men taking part to symbolise that 100% of men should support efforts to stop domestic violence.

“These 100 men can be the role models for other men, ” he said.

He also said that the state’s Safe Family Policy, introduced in July to address domestic violence, could strengthen the role of government agencies, communities, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to work with the state.

“We currently have the ‘first support point’ system at service centres of our assemblymen to provide immediate assistance to victims of domestic violence.

“But, we want to expand this ‘first support point’ to sites easily accessible to people such as surau, places of worship and community centres, so that these places will be the first contact point for the community to help victims of domestic violence, ” he added.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin said stopping all forms of violence against women would bring about harmony in the family.

PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng, who was present at the sports complex, said it was the first time the campaign had gathered all male participants.

“It would be nice if we can convert the support of the 100 men to all males.

“During this Covid-19 pandemic, domestic violence cases have increased especially in families where either the husband or wife have lost their job.

“If this is not curbed, it can have an impact on the children as they have to witness domestic violence, and later grow up to abuse their partners.

“Today, we have many forms of violence against women but it is every woman’s right to be free from domestic violence, ” she said.