Johor Women’s League (JEWEL) lives up to its purpose of elevating the status of women and children by empowering them through educational talks carried out with stakeholders and on-site assistance. The women-only multi-racial NGO with 25 members are always so busy that they did not even realise when they hit their tenth-year anniversary in 2018.
Back when smartphones were not as popular, JEWEL had the foresight of the potential problems resulting from these devices. We now see how shy individuals thrive on social media, airing their thoughts for the world to see. Strangers turn into friends without ever meeting each other. Of course, there is no problem with any of this, but like everything else, danger lurking in the corners are often overlooked.
Young girls, in particular, are more vulnerable to traps laid on the internet. Predators sweet talk and lead them into exchanging private pictures under the guise of being in a caring relationship. Liza Alip, President of JEWEL, said she once downloaded an infamous smartphone application to understand what girls go through and how they fall into such traps. True enough, during her undercover operation, she confirmed that predators were indeed manipulative with words, knowing their way around an unsuspecting girl’s heart. In response to this, JEWEL has held talks to educate girls on safety, and they want the girls to recognise the need to be independent decision-makers. Previously only catering to females, they now include males into the sessions as well, due to an increasing number of male victims.
Aside from that, JEWEL also runs TINDAK Campaign, Tindak Demi Anak Kita or Act For Our Children – their main initiative to fight sexual violence against children. The campaign, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Department of Social Welfare, has extensively covered all primary schools in Johor, training school counsellors on the right procedures to go through and disseminate information to students. It was found that children could face their first sexual encounter before they hit the age of fourteen; which makes it critical for primary school students to be aware of dangers they could face. TINDAK posters are also put up in schools for awareness of this issue.
According to the women at JEWEL, sexual predators are clever at charming innocent victims by offering friendships, attachments, and trust. If and when a child is aware of his rights to his or her own body and what a ‘safe touch’ means, a sexual predator would think twice, fearing his reputation on the line should the child expose him. Usually, though not in all cases, the sexual predator is somebody who has a close relationship with the victim and their family.
JEWEL also sponsors training for other NGOs, welfare groups, the police and other agencies.
All members of JEWEL are volunteers who spend their time outside their careers and professions with a common desire to help, equipping people with the strength and determination to carry on.
