The Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) recently conducted a seminar entitled Women Against Crime “Seminar Wanita Anti Jenayah (WAJA)” at Long Lama, Baram.

Issues of human trafficking, drug mules and sexual violence were discussed and shared with the participants. Why are Malaysian women targeted and tricked by syndicates to be drug mules? Why are Malaysian women being trafficked overseas to work as forced labour and in the sex industry? Rape, child sexual abuse and domestic violence are also crimes against women. How do women who are survivors of violence stop the abuse? The Sarawak Women For Women Society together with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia aimed to spread the message “Stop Crime, Abuse and Violence Against Women”.

The one-day seminar “Wanita Anti-Jenayah” at Long Lama, Baram was held with the main objective of raising awareness amongst the public especially rural women on issues related to various forms of crimes against women such as human trafficking, drug mule and sexual violence. In addition the seminar aimed to increase the knowledge among women who are exposed to the risks of becoming victims of above mentioned forms of crimes, teaching them how to take precautions from becoming a victim of human trafficking and being tricked into being a drug mule. Women are urged to stand up against abuse and violence and report such violence.

The seminar was held at Long Lama Multipurpose Hall on 9 December 2013. Participants were mainly Penan women and youths from a total of 17 villages in the Baram area. There were other participants from the Kayan, Kenyah and Iban communities and representatives from various government agencies in Long Lama. 102 participants out of the total number of 138 participants were from the Penan communities. The response to the seminar was overwhelming despite having to travel long distances. Some of the participants have to travel for several hours by four-wheel drive vehicles and for some by boats from their villages to Long Lama to attend the seminar. Some of the participants were members of Persatuan Wanita Penan Baram Sarawak (PWPBS). PWPBS despite being newly formed is actively engaged in taking care of the welfare of the Penan women in their communities. The Persatuan Wanita Penan Baram Sarawak assisted SWWS in invitations and arranging for the attendance of the participants. Speakers for the seminar were from Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS). The seminar was funded by Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia.