In light of the current rise in domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Body Shop Malaysia has donated a sum of RM104,574.25 to non-governmental organisations, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and Sisters In Islam (SIS). The funds were handed over to the NGOs to ensure their work in assisting women and children continues effectively especially during this pandemic.
“The Covid Pandemic has wreaked such havoc in all our lives and livelihoods. The divide between the haves and have nots has grown ever wider. Amid all the calls to aid medical front liners, the poor, the sick, funding for NGOs working for social justice and gender equality such as WAO and SIS have been quietly set aside. Therefore, those of us who still can, must continue to offer support. During the 15 months of our struggle with this pandemic, domestic violence has escalated, single mothers have become poorer and rights issues set aside. We must be vigilant that all the gains made in good years are not lost in these bad months,” expressed Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, Managing Director of InNature Berhad.
The Body Shop Malaysia has been supportive of WAO and SIS for over 20 years, working together in many various campaigns including the End Child Marriage campaign in 2018.
In 2020, we focused on creating awareness on Domestic Violence in Malaysia through our ‘Isolated Not Alone’ and ‘Come Together, Act Together’ campaigns on The Body Shop social media platforms supporting WAO’s work on assisting survivors and educating the public on proper reporting methods. Funds were also raised from November to December to further support WAO’s work.
WAO will utilize the funds for food and essential items, utilities and security, shelter upkeep and maintenance, crisis counselling and psycho-social support, medical aid, social work and case management, women empowerment programs and children’s programs.
SIS has determined that funds received will be used for continuous awareness-raising and public education as well as to support the advocacy work and engage policymakers on reforming laws and policies that uphold women’s and children’s rights, particularly on the issue of ending child marriage in Malaysia.
For more info on The Body Shop, visit their website here.
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