THE Penang Goes Orange (PGO) campaign is back this year for the ninth time to reaffirm the message to put a stop to violence against women.
The campaign is organised by the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) and supported by all five districts and land offices.
State executive councillor for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs and Social Development Chong Eng said this year the campaign would be held in all five districts, namely northeast, southwest, north Seberang Perai, central Seberang Perai and south Seberang Perai.
“The PGO 2022 will be held for 16 days starting from today till Dec 11.
“This is in line with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is celebrated on Nov 25.
“It was established by the United Nations,” Chong Eng said during the launch of the PGO2022 at Komtar today.
Chong Eng added that the orange colour used for the campaign is an adaptation of the United Nations’ ‘World Orange Day’.
The ‘World Orange Day’ is aimed at tackling issues of domestic violence.
According to the UN Women website, the UNiTE campaign has proclaimed the 25th of each month as “Orange Day”, a day to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls.
“The Komtar tower will be illuminated with the orange colour throughout these 16 days as a gesture of strong support for the campaign.
“I would like to also urge the public, non-governmental organisations and private companies to colour Penang orange,” she said.
Apart from that, Chong Eng said the PWDC has worked with the Penang State Islamic Religious Council to spread the message of ending violence against women via Friday’s Khutbah sermon.
“Other than that, the non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI), through Penang Harmony Corporation (HARMONICO), will be also spreading the message.
“For cases involving domestic violence, special law such as the Family Court must be introduced to solve them.
“So, we hope the new Federal government will give us ‘hope’ in this matter,” Chong Eng added.
At the event, two Rapid buses in the livery of the PGO2022 campaign design were launched as well.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the state government was always proactive and concerned with creating a safer Penang.
“The PGO2022 focuses on three main elements: to raise awareness of gender-based violence, to give information on Anti Sexual Harassment Act and to promote the First Support Point programme and the Penang Stops Violence App.
“Our theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Reshape, Respect, Rebuild Towards a Safe Penang.’
“This theme urges the community to join hands in spreading awareness as well as helping the victims.
“I also would like to encourage the Village Community Management Council to organise the PGO at the community level,” Zakiyuddin added.
It is learned that the PGO2022 campaign, which will be held across all five districts, will wrap up in south Seberang Perai.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat