LETTERS: According to the World Health Organisation, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the socio-economic sector, where tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty due to loss of jobs. In Malaysia, around 100,000 workers have reportedly lost their jobs since January.
Loss of income does not only affect the ability of some families to buy food, but also presents a challenge to preserve a peaceful family life. According to police statistics, financial problems is one of the three factors contributing to domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a universal phenomenon and cuts across all race, religion, income status, class and cultural lines. While women are considerably more likely to experience domestic violence, recent trend shows that men do too.
In Malaysia, most of the incidents are hardly reported as they're considered personal. Domestic violence has now become a social problem.
The government has taken proactive action to enact the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (DVA 1994) by taking into account views of agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
This act was passed in 1994 by Parliament to curb domestic violence through legal mechanism.
The act offers protection for battered women from their abusers in the form of protective orders. It also provides for compensation and counselling.
The DVA 1994 was amended and gazetted on Feb 9, 2012, which saw the definition of domestic violence under Section 2 expanded to include psychological and emotional abuse, apart from financial loss.
Further amendments were gazetted on Sept 21, 2017, which came into enforcement on Jan 1, 2018.
Suggestions have been put forth that psychological (emotional) and economic abuse must be included in the act, and be explicitly defined together with explanations based on cultural backgrounds of society.
Violence against women deprives their right to actively partake and contribute to social and economic life.
It causes a myriad of physical and mental health issues and in some cases, even lead to loss of life.
Children who are exposed to violence at home are also more likely to become victims of physical abuse and at serious risk for long-term physical and mental health problems.
This affects the stability of family institution and society.
Hence, all parties must play their roles in reporting incidents of domestic violence.
The abused should know their rights, that is, to live free from violence and to seek help.
The government and NGOs have provided various mediums and guidelines to assist victims of violence.
It is hoped that the coming year will be more promising and positive to the family institution.
Muslims are taught to treat women with respect, love and care. The duty of men towards women is mentioned by the Quran: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means..." (Surah al-Nisa' 4:34).
Let us also be reminded of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad SAW in his last sermon that women have rights over their husbands and they are taken as wives only under Allah's trust.
Indeed, every trust must be taken care of and preserved as these will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment.
Wan Roslili Abd Majid
Fellow, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times