In modern communities, many women – even educated ones – are
being trapped in domestic violence and afraid to move out of their sphere of
violence.
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| Facade of JEIWA Power House in Paradigm Mall Johor Baru |
But the brave women who have come out of it, can seek help and
support from JEIWA to find their way again and have hope to live better lives.
Since its inception in October 2015, the NGO better known as
JEIWA, the short-form for Johor Empowerment of Intellectual Women Association,
has been actively involved in activities that help victims of domestic violence
regain their confidence and develop skills to contribute to the community
again.
While women may have redefined their roles in the community since
the 1900s, there is still a big gap in gender equality so women must play their
roles in their own spheres of influence to work at closing this gap.
Nor Fadilah Mohamed Nizar, a victim of domestic violence who
persevered and overcame the suffering, formed this support group to help fellow
victims free themselves from spheres of violence and rebuild their lives.
Now happily remarried, Fadilah partnered with other women
activists and founded JEIWA, an NGO that was officially launched in October
2015 and remains as founding president.
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| Another view of the facade at JEIWA Power House that showcases the carved designs made from cengal wood |
Besides
providing a platform to help women start a new life from a post-domestic
violence relationship, JEIWA aims to establish programmes at national level and
recommend new policies to combat domestic violence and provide opportunities
for women.
Her passion to empower women to contribute to the community and
become agents of change in the country is evident from the various successful
projects by JEIWA.
To
ensure sustainability and stability of the target group and continuous
participation from the community in charity and volunteer activities, JEIWA
established JEIWA Global Resources, a Social Enterprise company that manages
JEIWA Power House, Malaysia first Integrated Community Hub.
Officially
opened on 31 July 2019, JEIWA Power House (JPH) is located at Lot 2F-11, Level
Two of Paradigm Mall Johor Baru.
On my recent visit to JPH, Fadilah gave me a tour of the
premises and shared that this community center houses a retail space, a café
which serves Johor traditional cuisine, a place for Art & Craft
demonstrations and products like batik and hand-painted tiffin carriers.
The
center is designed with an office for JEIWA headquarters, a Counselling room, a
Training room, a preparation kitchen, Juice and Coffee Bar, a library and even
a mini stage for exhibitions and shows.
From
its façade, I can appreciate how its design incorporates Malaysian architecture
using cengal wood-carving.
Meanwhile,
the privacy of a Counselling room is readily available for women who come to
JPH, seeking help.
Fadilah
also introduces me to Amiratul Farahin, an aspiring disabled person who will
represent Malaysia in the Abilympic painting competition to be held in Moscow in
2020.
She has
designed and is painting a mural, a work-in-progress as Amiratul works to
complete it on an entire wall within the premises.
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| A range of limited edition, hand-painted tiffin carriers among other handicrafts for sale at JEIWA Power House |
Fadilah
tells me that JPH aims to provide a platform for the community especially women,
to have retail space to promote and market their products, exhibit their handicrafts,
sell Johor souvenirs and for visitors and tourists to enjoy Johor cuisine.
On a
chalk board, I read the menu that includes Lamb Nasi Briyani (rice), Asam Pedas
Nanas Ikan Jenahak (fish) and Laksa Johor.
There
are also beverages, hot snacks and signature JEIWA Kebabs with special sauce,
as well as a menu of local cuisine prepared by women who are supported by JEIWA.
The
charming hand-painted tiffin carrier is a JPH signature product and I like how their
Johor cuisine is served in these uniquely designed tiffin carriers.
A range
of limited edition, hand-painted tiffin carriers designed by Fadilah, are for
sale and the proceeds would help domestic violence survivors and finance JEIWA
Research Projects.
Besides
a Food & Beverage business, the training room which has a seating capacity
for 30 guests, is available for training activities, private dining and
community activities.
I
cannot help noticing the wooden furniture in the café and Fadilah explains that
JPH is collaborating with the supplier to promote these specially designed
furniture that are both compact and space-saving.
To
demonstrate, she lifted wooden panels off the table top to reveal a ready-made congkak traditional game on the lower
layer and a checkered board for chess on another layer!
With a
swift tug, she pulled out the collapsible wooden seats that are cleverly
concealed under the table.
A range
of wooden tables being used in the café are display models which customers may
see and experience before they placed orders for their own.
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| A library of books to encourage the reading habit, is open to the public to read and relax at JEIWA Power House |
JEIWA
also gathers expert advisors to help in their outreach to a wider community to
provide services and support.
In
fact, JEIWA is a permanent member and presenter at the World Women Conference,
an annual international level event.
In
addition to helping the community, JEIWA encourages individuals and
corporations to participate with JPH through their talents and skills, donation
of items for the center’s use and with financial support.
The
setting up of JPH was with the support of more than 56 partners nationwide and
from Singapore, who generously donated goods and services at zero cost.
They
are Homlux Interior Design & Furnishing (Interior Designer &
Contractor), Smart Acc (POS Sytem), Force 21 (Security System), Dankoff Coffee
(Coffee Machine), Fresco (Barista Training), Paradigm Mall (Venue), MN Puncak
Niaga (Furniture), Seamaster (Paint) and many more.
Above
all, a special renovation grant was provided by Iskandar Regional Development
Authority (IRDA) Youth2 Biz, a programme to promote business shared facilities.
The JPH
is indeed an exciting avenue, designed to encourage and empower women who are seeking
to rebuild their lives and JEIWA needs your support to make this integrated
community hub a success.
So how
can you participate with JEIWA?
For a
start, patronize JPH for local food and products or organise events at JPH and
enjoy meals catered by JEIWA’s home-cooked menu.
For more
information on JEIWA and JPH, follow Instagram/Facebook page for Jeiwapowerhouse
or email JEIWA Global Resources at: ceojgr@gmail.com.
A version of this was published in the September 2019 issue of The Iskandarian
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