THE Penang state government and the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) will officially launch its campaign for Penang Goes Orange (PGO) 2018 with the Orange Challenge at the Penang Bird Park in Seberang Jaya on Nov 24.
State Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Non-Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng said they expected 1,000 people to take part in the challenge.
“The orange colour signifies an international movement to end violence against women. Every year, we have been conducting this campaign since 2014. Our campaign will culminate with the International Human Rights Day on Dec 10 where the global focus is on equality,” Chong Eng said in her speech at the concourse in Komtar today to help raise public awareness.
“The Orange Challenge can be participated by the whole family. They can learn what sexual harassment is and take measures to detect, deter and prevent sexual harassment. Such awareness is important for the state government as it continuously works hard to create and ensure a safe and inclusive working environment for both men and women.”
Her speech was preceded by a flash mob which drew the attention of passersby and some shoppers. Some of the PWDC staff members and USM students from “MySihat” group helped out at the event, distributing flyers and balloons.
Chong Eng said Google recently revealed that over a two-year period the company has terminated the employment services of 48 management and technical personnel, including 13 holding senior positions, over sexual harassment-related issues.
The awareness campaign at Komtar will end tomorrow. The public can participate by writing a short message or testimony on a postcard about their own personal experience with sexual harassment and dropping them into a “letter post box”.
“The victims don’t have to reveal their names. We believe this can be therapeutic for them as they have the opportunity to express their traumatic and pent-up emotions and hopefully let go. Some of them have been silent for a long time and this may affect their relationships with their spouses and others,” said Chong Eng.
PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng said the postcards would be displayed on a testimonial board during the Orange Challenge at the Penang Bird Park.
Chong Eng said they are working to push for the setting up of laws and policies at the state and federal level to provide justice to victims and a deterrent to potential harassers.
PWDC is also inviting Deputy Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh to attend a roundtable discussion on Dec 10 to deal with issues relating to sexual harassment and formulate recommendations and action plans to mitigate them.
Asked about school teachers who are allegedly involved in sexual harassment cases, Chong Eng said they should be transferred while investigations are ongoing and if charged in the court, they should be ordered to stay away from the victims.
“If found guilty, they should be punished with appropriate sentences,” she said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud