Established in 1982, the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) is today the largest service provider for domestic violence survivors in Malaysia. WAO provides not just shelter, which was its original task, but also extends legal advice and emotional support to victims.

These services were never more needed than during the pandemic lockdown when WAO’s 24-hour hotline received about 15,000 calls from the beginning of MCO in 2020 to the end of 2021. This represents a spike from the usual 9,000 to 10,000 calls per year.

Presently leading the non-profit is Sumitra Visvanathan. From a protector, WAO has since taken on the more significant role of an outspoken advocate for women, and is at the forefront of changing the mindset about women’s roles and rights in our society. This has led to the passing of two landmark bills in 2022: the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill in July and the Anti-Stalking Bill in October.