Keningau Seminar on Tackling Violence Against Women


The Violence Against Women (VAW) campaign started in 1986 in Kota Kinabalu and has been successful in raising public awareness of this issue and, to a lesser extent, in lobbying for services and assistance programmes to be set up for women and children surviving rape, incest and domestic violence. Although the campaign has been sporadically brought to the other districts in Sabah by both government agencies and NGOs, a concerted effort is needed to hasten the process of change. This is in view of the fact that over half of the VAW cases reported to the police occur in the rural areas with the majority affecting young girls.

In 2007, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development agreed to fund a seminar and three follow-up workshops in the Keningau and Beaufort areas. The overall objective of this initiative is to raise the awareness of local community leaders and those whose work and duties relate to VAW so that they will be more supportive and effective in their handling of VAW cases. It is hoped that through regular meetings and training workshops, a strong network will be formed.

On 25 October 2007, a big seminar-cum-exhibition was held in Keningau attended by more than 90 men and women local leaders such as native chiefs, village heads, JKKK (Jawatan Kuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung) members, and teachers. Talks were given on cases of rape, incest and domestic violence occurring in the interior regions of Sabah as well as the laws, policies and programmes affecting women and children in Malaysia. In the workshop that followed, it was evident that most participants were unclear what VAW or gender-based violence is, why it occurs and how it is related to human rights violations. A good understanding of these issues is essential to the effectiveness of efforts in tackling VAW. These issues will be the focus of the follow-up workshops.

We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the Director of the Department of Welfare Services and his officers in the Keningau Division in organizing and conducting the Keningau seminar and the follow-up workshops to be held in 2008 in Tambunan, Nabawan and Tenom. We hope to start similar activities in the Beaufort area in 2008 too.