UNITED AGAINST VIOLENCE - The Star Online

United against violence

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To show my full support for this campaign , Stop Violence Against Women" I've published this news from today's The Star Online in my blog just for sharing.
As a woman myself I fear a lot from what I hear, I see and experience. Women are vulnerable to violence wherever they are.

Violence against women has been going on for centuries and is still going on till today. It's a viscous circle, where sons will abuse their wives just like how their fathers and fore fathers did to their women. There has to be a stop to this.

Firstly, it's the myths that woman are second-class to man, and they should be submissive to men and it is normal when women are sex-objects. In every aspect including marriage, career and governance , women are not treated equally or fairly. However, there are some success and breakthroughs due to the continuous efforts from women NGOs all over the world. Congratulations and keep up the good work. Push for changes especially for laws to be implemented fairly to protect women and children.

Many women who have suffered physical, emotional and mental abuse or torture silently fear of it being a public knowledge. Their husbands may be lawyers, doctors, religious officers, politicians or a member of the royal family, an influential person. I've come across one who begged not to let anyone know about it for that reason. Hopefully she will come to her senses and run for help before it's too late.

Women should walk confidently into police stations to lodge police reports against their husbands, boyfriends, whoever when they are physically abused , mentally or emotionally and the tormenting is unbearable. Police officers who are receiving reports should be sensitive. Once a domestic violence victim went to lodge a report but the officer refused to take it and was told to return only when there is a black eye or more serious injury. It is the non physical abuse which is worse. Many women have become mentally ill and fallen sick, helpless due to being treated cruelly by men. When it is causing great pain, destructive to a person's life and family, it is indeed a form of violence.

Educating the public especially the men folks on how to treat women with respect is very important and this should start from young. It's sad that there are still laws or marital laws that are still unfair to women. These laws should be amended.

There shouldn't be laws, culture , myths, superstitions whatsoever that deprive a woman of her rights, cheat her and her family like having to pay a heavy dowry to the men's family, and being beaten to death for a crime or unfair court verdicts.

We have to educate the young girls themselves to be aware of their rights and teach them to lodge a complain when they are abused and ways to protect themselves. I hope campaigns like Stop Violence Against Women really reach out to all including men be they from the city, town or village. It is an uphill fight for the women but it has to be an ongoing fight as there is no moment to rest until the welfare of women is well taken care of.

We need more kind-hearted people, counselors , volunteers ,activists, any person , including you and I, to help spread this strong message so that we can help stop violence.