Women’s Aid Organisation

1. Women’s Aid Organisation

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. To undertake and advocate with government and non-government 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.

8. Milestones • 1979 • The late Tun Tan Siew Sin donated his Tun Razak Award of RM30,000  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

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

10. WAO Services The Refuge • We provide shelter services to over 100 women + 80 of their children • Reasons for seeking shelter with WAO in 2007

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

12. What is the strength of our work?

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

14. WAO Services • Telephone Counselling • Face to face Counselling

15. WAO’s social worker in a telephone counselling session

16. WAO figures since year 2000

17. WAO Support Services Child Care Centre (CCC) • Opened in 1990 • First of its kind in Malaysia home to children of ex-residents • 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

18. 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

19. Child Care Centre In 2007, a total of 19 children resided at the CCC

20. 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

21. THANK YOU