Empowerment Development Program for Disadvantaged Women

Women in Crisis in Kuala Lumpur
Although reported cases of domestic violence, incest, and rape are on the rise in Kuala Lumpur, many women in crisis do not or cannot report abuse in an attempt to preserve the dignity of their families or their own reputations. Only three organizations exist to address the needs of these women, and they receive little support: the Women's Aid Organization (WAO) of Malaysia receives just two percent of its funding from the local government.

Quotarians Provide Support
The Kuala Lumpur club has stepped in to support battered wives, unwed mothers, abused domestic workers, and trafficked women supported by the WAO. Quotarians provide them with therapy and the skills to improve their lives. Last year, they offered classes in art therapy, stress release, and crafts, as well as social events like a tea party and Mother's Day barbecue.

In 2007-2009, the club will improve upon its successful program in response to discussions held with the women to assess their needs and evaluations of the program. Quotarians will put the women's suggestions into action, adding more craft and skills classes to further develop earning capacity, visiting more regularly to provide emotional support and build self-esteem, providing classes for the women's children, and offering support to women transitioning from the program into homes of their own.

With Club-to-Club donations, the Kuala Lumpur club will purchase supplies and equipment for its therapy and skills training classes and provide class instructors with honorariums.

• If you wish to donate to this project, please click here.
  
  
• To read about Kuala Lumpur's 2006 Club-to-Club accomplishments, click here.
  

• To learn more about Malaysia, click here.
  
  
• To return to the Club-to-Club World Service page,
  click here.