Cover All Women’s Action Society (Awam) president Ho Yock Lin touches on the NGO’s 40th anniversary and how a coming art exhibition celebrates everyday heroes in the fight for women’s rights
All Women’s Action Society (Awam) president Ho Yock Lin touches on the NGO’s 40th anniversary and how a coming art exhibition celebrates everyday heroes in the fight for women’s rights
1 / 1
The president and founding member of the All Women’s Action Society (Awam) Malaysia touches on the NGO’s 40th anniversary and how its coming art exhibition celebrates everyday heroes in the fight for women’s rights
Ho Yock Lin was in Primary Six, sitting unassumingly in class with her peers when a male teacher strolled by her desk and pulled on her bra strap. He repeated this with several other female students, insisting that it was a joke at their shocked reactions.
“Back then, we didn’t know it was called sexual harassment. We couldn’t identify it and couldn’t verbalise it. Only after that did we talk about it among ourselves—what else could we do?” says Ho, current president of All Women’s Action Society (Awam). Among the oldest women’s rights organisations in the nation, Awam was founded in 1985 by Ho and approximately 20 other members who would meet in one another’s homes after work.
“Even with sexual harassment of women at the workplace, you endured all this and couldn’t say anything. You just have to take it. Today, there is a definite shift in the narrative whereby people don’t agree that harassment and violence against women is the woman’s fault.”
Read more: Amanda Nguyen: The first Vietnamese woman in space is rewriting the rules on earth
Above Awam’s ‘Wall of Wishes’ poster from a previous community engagement event
Awam’s ‘Wall of Wishes’ poster from a previous community engagement event
1 / 1
This year, Awam celebrates its 40th anniversary, reflecting on a truly remarkable journey of women’s rights advocacy and legal reforms. From the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 2022 to the Domestic Violence Act of 1994, Awam has been at the forefront speaking up for all women’s rights to safety and dignity in Malaysia.
Ho recalls the day the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was passed to become an Act. “We spent almost 22 years just to pass that legislation,” she says. “The day it was announced that it came through, I couldn’t help but cry. It went through so many different administrations and so many rounds of changes.
“Of course there are still areas that need to be fine-tuned. I would say these 40 years, we have made much progress. But there is still much more to be done.”
Forty years is what Ho describes as the “best age”–a time of stability and maturity, but with an undeniable burst of youthful vibrancy. In honour of Awam’s 40th anniversary, the NGO collaborated with internationally-renowned Malaysian professional pencil artist Hakim Abdullah, hosting a heartwarming art exhibition titled Awam’s 40-Year Journey: A Canvas of Change in October.
From realistic black-and-white drawings of squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David to vibrantly coloured vignettes of past inspiring activists like Mary Shanthi Dairiam and past Awam presidents such as Maria Chin Abdullah, the collection features 25 hand-drawn pencil portraits of various women who represent Malaysia in all its diversity, strength and solidarity.
From athletes and activists to everyday ladies, legendary warrior queens and unsung heroes who toil unseen to make our lives better–the drawings are a love letter to the modern Malaysian woman, an apt reminder that none of us is alone in this journey.
Above Yock Lin and her team at Awam celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, reflecting on a journey of women’s rights advocacy and legal reforms
Yock Lin and her team at Awam celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, reflecting on a journey of women’s rights advocacy and legal reforms
1 / 1
“We thought about how, these 40 years, we have never been alone. Many people have come along the way and sought help, and at the same time, many have supported us too. We wanted to show the sisterhood aspect and also the larger community, including ordinary women making an extraordinary life for us and themselves,” says Ho, adding that there is a bespoke portrait book containing all these drawings that’s for sale on Awam’s website, the proceeds of which will go towards revamping Awam’s counselling office in Petaling Jaya.
“We [Awam] just happen to be in the forefront fighting for legal reform through our advocacy work. But there are still so many people out there playing their own roles every day. Though it marks our 40th anniversary, this is a book that is a tribute to them.”
Don’t miss: 5 empowering female rights reforms to be proud of, as shared by activist Mary Shanthi Dairiam
Hakim, who contributed these beautiful drawings to Awam, spent several hours on each portrait, working solely in pencil without any digital tools.
“We wanted to contribute something back to Awam, something they could use to raise funds and put back into helping women,” says Hakim, who was honoured by Buckingham Palace for his portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
“Women play a very important role in everything—not many people see that. I wanted to contribute my skills along those lines to help Awam–and I’m proud to say these 25 portraits you see in the book are all with Awam’s blessing.”
Above Professional pencil artist Hakim Abdullah signing a copy of Awam’s 40th anniversary portrait book in the Awam office
Professional pencil artist Hakim Abdullah signing a copy of Awam’s 40th anniversary portrait book in the Awam office
1 / 1
One of those 25 drawings is, of course, a portrait of Ho herself, positioned alongside a host of past presidents whom she fondly dubs ‘the shoulders we stand on today.”
“The first time I met Hakim, he was such a nice personality, and being an artist, he is sensitive to small details. The picture I gave him of me was actually very plain, but he brought so much character to the surface with my portrait,” she says.
With the funds raised from the portrait book and charity art exhibition, Ho hopes to expand Awam’s current office building, adding more counselling rooms and amping up initiatives to reach more women in need.
“People say, ‘Not bad—you have an office already, right?’ To me, it’s not an office, it’s not just a cold, empty building. It’s a vehicle to a transformed life for people who seek our help. It’s a place where we play our role to make change through law reform and awareness initiatives. It’s a safe space for the counsellors and for the women who come in for legal information or for some kind of direction as to how to make their lives better.”
Above From a classroom experience of sexual harassment to leading a renowned women’s rights organisation in Malaysia, Ho has come a long way
From a classroom experience of sexual harassment to leading a renowned women’s rights organisation in Malaysia, Ho has come a long way
1 / 1
Looking back, Ho and the team at Awam have come such a long way—going from remaining silent in the face of blatant injustice to calling it out in parliament, in corporate sectors, and on social media. When asked what her advice is for future generations of change-makers, Ho’s response is unsurprisingly in praise for younger generations of activists like Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, whose outspoken condemnation of sexually charged comments in her classroom ignited a social media movement that shook the nation from the ground up.
“She was 17 when that happened. She called out her teacher’s behaviour on social media. Seventeen years old—I wish I could be as brave as her at that age,” Ho says, adding this heartfelt message to women everywhere in Malaysia: “Never give up. You are not alone. Throughout my life and career I have been lucky to be exposed to different cultures and different women from all walks of life and backgrounds. That’s something I have always treasured. None of us is truly alone.”
To get involved in Awam’s initiative or to purchase any of these 40th anniversary portraits, email fundraising@awam.org.my
NOW READ
Malaysian women are in a digital fight for rights–risking harassment and pushback
Topics
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
