Azlin (front row, fourth from right) and panel speakers showing their support to eliminate violence against women at a booth run by Wanita Berdaya Selangor. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
THERE is a need to strengthen early education at home and in school so that children grow up with values of respect and protection, not domination or oppression, says Datin Seri Azlin Hezri.
Azlin, the wife of Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said children absorb what they see and learn at home.
“For example, whether boys grow up to be gentlemen could be shaped by how their father treats and speaks to their mother at home,” she said.
“Does their father speak respectfully to their mother and help with the household chores, or is he rude and expects her to handle all the housework?”
She said parents should also spend quality time with their children to ensure their development and well-being, and not leave them entirely on their own, especially in today’s digital age.
“A whole-of-nation approach is needed in how we raise our children and care for our communities,” said Azlin, who is Pertubuhan Kebajikan Amal Silaturahim Isteri-Isteri Harapan (Kasih Malaysia) deputy chairman.
“Sometimes, we need to ignore the ‘mind your own business’ saying and take action if we see any wrongdoing, such as when we see a man hit a woman.
“Both women and men need to be respected and loved, but we need to empower women to be more independent and take better care of themselves.”
She shared this message before launching the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women programme organised by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) at MBSA Convention Centre in Section 13.
Some 300 participants attended the programme aimed at increasing public awareness of violence against women and advocate for women’s safety and well-being.
MBSA deputy secretary (management) and Community Development Department director Shahrin Ahmad attended the event, along with MBSA councillors Mohd Firdaus Mokhtar, Nur Yusmi Md Yusop and Siti Nur Aishah Mohd Zain.
Siti Nur Aishah later chaired a forum titled “Wanita Mandiri, Cegah Sendiri, Kejayaan Menghampiri” (Independent Women, Self-Protection Leads to Success).
The forum focused on how women could practise self-awareness, learn how to balance goals, priorities and attitude as well as empower themselves in handling various day-to-day scenarios.
Panellists included Akademi Dr Har founder Datuk Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj, author and civic activist Liyana Marzuki, ABS Education Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Suhaili Ikhsan and MBSA deputy director and psychology officer Muhammad Najib Asyraf Makbul.
Kasih Malaysia is a non-governmental organisation comprising wives of ministers and deputy ministers, focused on social welfare regardless of race, religion or background.
The United Nations General Assembly designated Nov 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
According to the UN, almost one in three women globally have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
It also reported that one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or family member.
