Womens Aid Organisation 1 What is WAO Womens

Women’s Aid Organisation 1

What is WAO? Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) is a women’s organisation which is Non- Profit Non- Religious Independent 2

Vision To create a society that upholds the principles of gender equality For women of every race, creed, religion and status to take ownership of their rights in all spheres of life. 3

Mission To promote and create the respect, protection and fulfilment of equal rights for women and to work towards the elimination of discrimination against women, in particular the elimination of violence against women. 4

Philosophy No one deserves to be battered We believe that every human being has the right to self-determination, and should be able to control the conditions that shape his/her life. 5

Objectives To provide on request to women and their children suffering from mental, physical and sexual abuse, temporary refuge services that empower and enable them to determine their own future. To offer emotional and social support to any woman who requests for it, resident or otherwise, and offer support and after-care. To undertake and encourage research into any of the factors that contribute to the inequality and subordination of women. 6

To undertake and advocate with government and nongovernment organisations the eradication of factors that contribute to the inequality and subordination of women through law, policy and institutional reforms. To create an awareness and better understanding among individuals, public and relevant agencies on the issues of violence against women and the underlying inequalities. 7

Milestones 1979 The late Tun Tan Siew Sin donated his Tun Razak Award of RM 30, 000 the first shelter for battered women and their children was started 1982 Puan Sri E. N. Chong headed the Protem Committee with help of volunteers Single-story house Refuge and office premises Telephone counselling Face to face counselling 8

Milestones 1990 Established Child Care Centre Shelter + food + education for children of ex-residents for a period of 2 years 2004 Established WAO Centre (3 rd Centre) Administrative Centre Advocacy and Public Education Centre 9

WAO Services The Refuge We provide shelter services to over 100 women + 80 of their children Reasons for seeking shelter with WAO in 2007 Reasons for seeking shelter Percentage (%) Domestic Violence 66 Single Mother Pregnancy 13 Migrant Domestic Workers 9 Rape victims 3 Problems with seeking a place to stay 8 Trafficked Victims 1 10

Message to women Shelter : You are safe Counselling : You are not to be blamed Empowerment : You have choices and rights 11

What is the strength of our work? 12

Women in Crisis Seek Help from WAO Lobby Government to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women WAO Social Workers Support & Empower Women WAO Programme Officers Document Cases Identify Laws & Policies that need Reform 13

WAO Services Telephone Counselling Face to face Counselling 14

WAO’s social worker in a telephone counselling session 15

WAO figures since year 2000 Year Shelter/Refuge Face to Face Counselling Telephone Counselling 2000 105 44 981 2001 115 95 1063 2002 122 87 1478 2003 133 91 1492 2004 132 75 1500 2005 116 115 1215 2006 95 105 1475 2007 100 75 1200 Total 918 587 10404 16

WAO Support Services Child Care Centre (CCC) Opened in 1990 First of its kind in Malaysia home to children of exresidents Survivors of Domestic Violence Staff: Team of five women Capacity: Maximum 15 children, Age: 3 -12 years Mothers are encouraged to visit, stay during weekends and to call everyday 17

Child Care Centre The children are provided with Accommodation (Shelter, food & tuition) Educational needs: School fees Transportation Stationary Pocket money Individual attention Academic, physical and psychological progress monitored 18

Child Care Centre In 2007, a total of 19 children resided at the CCC Description Percentage (%) Sex Female Male 89 11 Ages 3 -6 years 6 -11 years 42 58 Length of Stay 3 weeks 6 months – 1 year 2 years Over 2 years 26 32 21 21 19

WAO Centre Administrative and Advocacy Centre Press conferences Meetings with other Non-Governmental Organisations Briefings for students, academics, donors, media Public education activities Staff: Team of eight women & one part-time librarian Used for face to face counselling for non-residents 20

THANK YOU 21