New group Lawa to empower women and fight violence

The Sun Daily
by Arlyn Aveline

KUALA LUMPUR: Women not empowered with knowledge of legal rights has been identified as one of the main causes of them becoming victims of violence.

To help them, a Legal Aid and Women's Advisory Centre or better known as Lawa was launched today with 10 women lawyers volunteering their legal services and assistance.

Lawa, a brainchild of Rosmah herself, was set up under the auspices by MCA as the first one-stop centre by a political party in Malaysia, providing services such as counselling and legal services for women regardless of their races.

Besides the lawyers, several legal experts assisted by 410 coordinators and 50 volunteers, all majoring in law from local universities will give legal assistance to abused and battered women.

Prime Minister's wife, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor who launched the centre hopes this will not only give hope for women who want justice seen but also provide guidance for women on legal matters.

Accordance to police statistics, an average of 3,000 cases of violence against women were recorded every year.

Rosmah said she hoped there will more such centres established in each state to render legal services to affected women.

"I urge women who are victims of abuse and violence to come forward and seek legal assistance," she said.

To provide legal assistance according to Syariah and civil laws, the centre will collaborate or work together with the police legal Aid Department, Prime Ministry Department, Bar Council, Health Ministry, Ministry of Women, Family and Community department and Malaysia Counselling Association.

Meanwhile, MCA national wanita chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie said, the idea to form the centre came from Rosmah who mooted the idea last year.

She said they hoped to set up 205 Lawa branches nationwide with 13 of them at state level and 192 at divisional level.