About Us
WCC is a registered, tax-exempt, non-profit organisation set up in 1985 to help women and children facing crisis, irrespective of race, religion, or social background. Our work is to provide immediate assistance for women needing crisis intervention, as well as to undertake programmes to promote gender equality in our society.
As a membership organisation, WCC elects a General Committee at its Annual General Meeting. This committee is responsible for both decision-making and guidance of WCC’s work functions which are co-ordinated and implemented by full-time staff with the help of volunteers.
Our Vision
- We are dedicated to the promotion of women’s equality and elimination of violence against women and children in Malaysia.
- We believe that women, men, and children have a right to live in a violence-free society.
Objectives
- To provide immediate assistance through counselling, legal advice, and provision of temporary shelter to women and children experiencing crisis.
- To create awareness of women’s rights in the home, workplace, and society at large.
- To raise awareness among the general public on matters concerning violence against women and children and the need to eliminate violence.
- To promote societal and legal changes for the protection and betterment of women and children in our society.
- To undertake and encourage research into social problems related to women and children.
Our Work
Services
- Free and confidential counselling, and legal advice, both face-to-face and through the telephone.
- Help in seeking medical, welfare, and police assistance if required.
- Providing temporary shelter for women and children.
- Training service providers to work with abused women and deepening their knowledge on issues of violence against women.
Community Outreach
- Conduct talks in schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations on child sexual abuse, violence against women, women’s rights, and issues relating to teenage relationships.
- Organise seminars and conduct courses on violence against women and children.
- Hold exhibitions and man information booths at events to publicise these issues.
Lobbying And Advocacy
- Campaign for changes in law affecting women and children, including sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence, and gender inequality.
- Work with both non-government organisations and government agencies to promote legal reform concerning women and children.
Education
- Disseminate information on women’s and children’s rights through the publication of pamphlets, books, and the WCC website.
- Produce training material and teaching aids for service providers.
Research
- Research social problems that affect the lives of women and children, for example, divorce and child custody/maintenance, rape, Muslim women and their rights.
General Committee 2009/10
| President | Lalitha Menon |
|---|---|
| Vice-President | Hajar Abdul Rahim Jenny Lim Eng Leng |
| Secretary | Noraida Endut |
| Assistant Secretary | Agnes James |
| Treasurer | Yeong Joo Kean |
| Committee Members | Lim Kah Cheng Chin Khuan Sui Mariam Lim Ivy Ho Siew Yoong Sudandarambal Saminathan Sharon Thillainathan |
How You Can Help
Volunteer
The strength of WCC work lies in the commitment of our volunteers. We are always looking for people who are interested in helping out with WCC activities. Come volunteer with us.
Financial Support
The WCC is a non-profit, tax-exempt organisation and dependent on the donations of corporate bodies, development agencies, government, and individuals to fund our activities. We welcome any and all forms of contribution for WCC’s work and expansion.
How To Donate
Bank: CIMB Bank Berhad
SWIFT Code: CIBBMYKL
Bank Address:
CIMB Bank
Menara BHL
51 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
10050 Penang
MALAYSIA
Account Name: Women’s Centre for Change
Account No: 0742 0000555052
We would like to issue a tax-exempt receipt for your donation. Please give us your details.
History
The idea to start a centre for women in distress in Penang was mooted in 1982 when a few women got together to discuss the plight of women in Penang and the northern region who experienced domestic violence and had no place to go. At least, in Kuala Lumpur, there was the Women’s Aid Organisation. Furthermore, issues such as Violence Against Women, Women’s Rights, and Discriminatory Laws against Women received little attention in the media and the public were largely unaware. Contact was then made with interested women from women’s groups, welfare, and other NGOs with the objective of setting up a women’s crisis centre.
The initial group of women came from various groups including Universiti Sains Malaysia, Family Planning Association of Penang, Federation of Women Lawyers, Consumers Association of Penang, as well as homemakers. They came together from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The protem Committee of seven were chosen from this group and the constitution of WCC was drafted. WCC was finally registered as a society in July 1985.
The inaugural meeting to elect the first General Committee was held at the Women’s Institute on September 1985. About 70 people attended. As in the protem Committee, the first committee consisted of women from different ethnic and social backgrounds including lawyers, clerks, teachers, lecturers, and housewives. The initial WCC office was in a small room rented from the local municipality at 57, Jalan Macalister. In July 1993, WCC moved to its new office at 24-D, Jalan Jones.
One of the first projects of the newly formed group was to raise funds to support the running of the shelter for women and children facing violence. Initial money was raised from jumble sales and coffee talks. Appeals for donations to the Welfare Department and other foundations like the Tun Sardon Foundation, Rotary Club, and Bakti received positive responses.
WCC started without money or office. All that the women had were their energy and commitment. Without any money, it was beyond their means to provide shelter for women in need. Sympathetic groups and individuals offered spare rooms in their own houses as each need arose. WCC started with a phone line for women in distress. As the number of cases increased, face-to-face counselling was offered. In mid-1989, WCC secured a bank loan to purchase a single-storey house for its shelter.