THE Penang government is thankful that it is not alone in its journey to fight and stop violence against women.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said they are honoured to have strategic partners, sponsors and collaborators working hand-in-hand with them in the journey.
“It is your unreserved support that we are able to reach communities from diverse age groups and backgrounds in the ‘Penang Goes Orange’ campaign,” Chow said when he officiated the closing ceremony of the campaign at the Escape Theme Park in Teluk Bahang this morning.
He added that the state government has been organising the PGO campaigns together with Penang Women’s Development Corporation on a yearly basis.
“Since 2014, we in Penang have never stop growing our voices to end violence against women and girls.
“Women’s rights are a fundamental part of human rights. The basic right of any human being is to be free from any form of violence.
“Thus, you are doing the right thing to be here to support the call to stop gender-based violence, especially against women and girls.
“For PGO2019 campaign, we had the PGO launch with a 2.6km walk with close to 5,000 supporters.
“Now, we are having PGO closing at Escape Theme Park with 1,000 youths,” he commented.
Also present were Chong Eng, the state executive councillor in charge of Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other than Islam Committee, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim, PWDC chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng and Sim Leisure CEO Sim Choo Kheng.
Chong Eng said of all 384 rape cases reported in Penang from 2014 to 2018, 212 victims were teenagers between 13 and 15 years old. That constitutes a staggering 55.2% of the total rape cases.
“This is the reason why the PGO campaign must reach communities of all ages and backgrounds.
“For the past month, PWDC has collaborated with 20 ADUNS (state constituencies) and six colleges to conduct 28 PGO roadshows in community areas such as markets, community centres, colleges and parks to raise public awareness, “she added.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan