KBWKM Expands Advocacy Programmes To Combat Domestic Violence

GEORGE TOWN, May 12 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), through the Women’s Development Department, is intensifying advocacy programmes aimed at strengthening awareness, protection and support for women facing domestic violence.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying said one of the key initiatives is the “Advokasi Kesejahteraan untuk Wanita@Keganasan Rumah Tangga” or  Aku Wanita@KRT, which adopts a focused, high-impact and solution-oriented approach to engage communities on domestic violence issues.

“This programme aims to raise awareness among women that there are channels available for them to seek help and lodge reports when facing domestic violence.

“Although reported cases are increasing, many incidents still go unreported due to pressures related to family, emotions and daily life,” she told reporters after officiating the Aku Wanita@KRT Penang Programme today.

She said KPWKM had also established the Referral, Intervention, Support, Information and Advocacy for Women (PRISMANita) centre as a one-stop facility to assist women facing various issues, including domestic violence.

The programme drew 400 participants and was also attended by KPWKM deputy secretary-general (Strategic) Mohd Daud Mohd Arif and Women’s Development Department director-general Hanani Sapit.

Lim said the government remains committed to addressing domestic violence through legal reforms, policy implementation and dedicated mechanisms such as the Domestic Violence Committee.

She added that the efforts are aligned with international frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which emphasise the protection, participation and empowerment of women.

According to statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police, 7,391 domestic violence cases were recorded last year, compared with 7,116 cases in 2024.

A total of 1,955 cases were reported nationwide up to March this year, including 347 cases in Penang.

Lim described the increase as a clear indication that domestic violence remains a serious issue requiring sustained attention and collective action.

She stressed that prevention efforts, early intervention and support systems for victims must continue to be strengthened, alongside broader advocacy initiatives to ensure prevention and protection messages reach more communities effectively.

She said the Aku Wanita@KRT programme also aims to increase public awareness, particularly among women, about modern and increasingly complex forms of violence, while encouraging victims and the public to report abuse and support survivors.

Lim added that the “K-Chat” psychological intervention session was introduced as a group support platform involving survivors, counsellors and trained facilitators to help participants manage the emotional, psychological and social impact of violence.

The programme was implemented in Sabah, Terengganu, Perak and Johor in 2025, involving 1,971 participants and 78 survivors, before being expanded nationwide following positive public response.

-- BERNAMA