SI IP leads in Walk Against Violence

The message, “Stop Violence Against Women” shouted loudly from placards held up by participants in the recent Walk the Talk event organized by Soroptomist International Club of Iskandar Puteri (SI IP).

Soroptomist International Club of Iskandar Puteri members
with Walk the Talk participants at Taman Merdeka

Throughout the event, participants were made aware that violence against women was not limited to physical abuse but also included emotional abuse as violence can happen to them at work, on the street or even at home.

While women and girls may fall prey to strangers, very often they are attacked and hurt by people who are close to them – even family members or friends. 

The SI IP Walk the Talk event reminded participants that as a community, they can help create more awareness of such violence happening to women and girls and let victims know that whether they were attacked, abused or mistreated, any form of violence can cause terrible effects. 

Empowered  and enthusiastic participants!

They don’t have to suffer in silence but can reach out to get help for their physical and emotional problems.

“SI IP believes that prevention is possible and essential and that by sharing the message with the community that violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, it need not be an inevitable fact,” said SIIP president, Nooraini Datuk Mohd Yasin in her speech.

She quoted UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, who said: “Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, public health pandemic and serious obstacle to sustainable development.  It imposes large-scale costs on families, communities and economies.  The world cannot afford to pay this price.”

Soroptomist International Club of Iskandar
Puteri president, Nooraini Datuk Mohd Yasin
speaking passionately about the event aims

Participants with representatives from NGOs like Johor Women’s League, Ikram Johor and MyCare Humanitarian Care Malaysia, were clearly spurred on by this encouraging message.

The morning dew early on that Sunday morning welcomed participants to Taman Merdeka, the city’s public park where the event was held and the programme kicked-off with a stress-reducing session of Laughter Yoga.

After students from Sri Ara Schools led the participants in a warm-up exercise session, they continued with an energetic Zumba workout with Thomas, the fitness instructor from Thomas Fitness.

Clad in white T-shirts emblazoned with the Walk the Talk logo, participants led by Nooraini and SI IP members, carried their event banner and placards on a walk around the park to create more awareness about their aim to bring about an end to violence against women and girls.

Participants adding their support to the collage that
calls for a stop to violence against women and girls

For the past five years, the Soroptomist International Region of Malaysia (SIROM) has, with the collaboration of government bodies and the Police force, hosted a series of annual events nationwide in the theme, Stop Violence Against Women.

These events were scheduled to coincide with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate Gender Violence Against Women, held from Nov 25 to Dec 10.

SI clubs across the nation have held Walk the Talk events to spread the message that with community support, care and concern, everyone can be a force to help reduce and ultimately, eliminate all acts of violence against women and girls.

SI IP members leading the walk through Taman Merdeka
to create more awareness in the community about their
role to stop violence against women and girls

In Johor Baru, the recently chartered SI IP hosted their first Walk the Talk event with the support of Women’s Development Department, Johor Jaya Municipal Council, Sri Ara Schools, Thomas Fitness and Laughter Yoga.

SIROM is part of Soroptomist International (SI), a worldwide service organization for women. 

SI is a global voice for women working through Awareness, Advocacy and Action and committed to a world where women and girls, together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creative strong and peaceful communities worldwide.

Established in Malaysia for the past 25 years, SIROM members come from various educational, social and cultural backgrounds but share the same passion to educate and improve the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.