Women’s Voices
On domestic violence
“Suami saya ikat tangan dan kaki saya serta sumbat mulut saya dengan kain supaya saya tak dapat minta tolong. Kepala saya diketuk, ditampar dan ditumbuk olehnya. Dia teriak mahu saya jadi isteri yang baik dan mendengar katanya.”
Jurujual, 30 years old, 2 children
“Setiap kali aku cakap perkara yang benar tentang kedudukan diri aku dipukul teruk. Aku disuruh mengaku perkara yang tidak pernah aku lakukan.”
Housewife, 22 years old, 1 child
“He is the one that I am close to and he is also the one who has put me through hell. Whenever I want to leave him, my heart has too many worries and I am not able to let go. Because of this, I have injuries all over my body. Now I have no more feeling towards him. This is the time for me to leave him. I realize that our relationship is ending. I have paid all my debts to him.”
Housewife, 41 years old, 6 children
“He comes home and tells me about his sexual activities with other women in detail. It breaks my heart!”
Housewife, 39 years old, 4 children
“I don’t know how long I can take this. He tells me not to come back late after work, if not he will change the padlock. Now, he has started to chase me out of the house. I am scared that I will lose custody of my children. I need to know my rights”
Executive officer, 36 years old, 2 children
“Selama 12-13 tahun saya kahwin dengannya, saya korbankan masa muda saya. Dia pun tak tahu fikir. Saya diperbodohkan olehnya. Saya ikut dia buat-buat bodoh, saya yang lagi bodoh.”
Housewife, 31 years old, 4 children
Women who have empowered themselves
“Since I left my husband, I didn’t realize how much I have changed. Now, I can do whatever I want. I got a job, I bought a house and I am still able to look after my children. I am so happy now.”
Operator, 40 years old, 4 children
“Previously, I knew only how to ride a bicycle and depend very much on my husband. After I left him, I had no choice but to learn to ride a motorcycle. In the beginning it was difficult but I overcame the fear. I don’t know how I did it but I did. It’s amazing.”
Waitress, 37 years old, 3 children