WCC Changes Lives and Empowers Women

“Achieving social change is a multi-stakeholder intervention from government, private, NGOs and people affected,” said Loh Cheng Kooi, the executive director of the Women’s Centre for Change, Penang. “It is about empowering survivors to change their own lives and moving society to end patriarchal norms.”

The Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) is a well-established organisation serving abused women and children, coming from various socio-economic backgrounds. Originating from a small initiative conceived by concerned individuals over the plight of women facing domestic abuse, the organisation has gradually expanded its influence in the past 38 years. It is now a familiar name in the community, offering vital assistance and advocacy for those in need.

“Although the idea was mooted in 1982, it wasn’t until three years later that the WCC was formally registered as a society on 1st July 1985, with the support of 70 women and men,” said Cheng Kooi, who has been helming the organisation for 27 years, since 1997. “Our first WCC committee consisted of women from all walks of life – lawyers, clerks, teachers, lecturers, and homemakers. We were initially known as the Women’s Crisis Centre before we underwent a name change in 2002.”

Cheng Kooi said that despite all odds and financial constraints, WCC has persevered with the commitment and dedication to see its vision of ending violence against women and children become a reality. “We started in a small room of the local municipality at Macalister Road before moving to a terraced house in Jones Road. Eventually, we managed to raise enough funds to purchase our own building on Burma Road.

“After that, in 2009, the Penang state government recognised our work and WCC was able to start a second office in the mainland of Penang for those in need there,” she said.

By 2009, WCC initiated partnerships with government hospitals to offer crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Today, WCC’s service advocacy work comprises a team of dedicated staff to work closely with government agencies, educators, and local communities to improve survivors' lives and promote women’s and children's rights to justice. “WCC currently works with six main and district government hospitals to counsel victims of sexual assault or domestic violence,”

Together with 14 other Malaysian women’s rights organisations, WCC is a member of the national coalition known as the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG-GE) to further advocate for legal reforms affecting women and children.

Over the years, the WCC has evolved into a vital resource for women in need, providing shelter, support services, and advocacy. Today, WCC’s vision has expanded into that of an inclusive society free from gender violence and discrimination, where women can actualise their full potential. Its mission is threefold: to eliminate violence against women and children, empower them, and promote gender equality and social justice.

“Our work is empowerment, not welfare. When you want to help women, you assist with no expectations. When we counsel a woman, we help her make informed choices,” emphasised Cheng Kooi. “Ultimately, those in an abusive relationship have to make their own decision and decide their future for themselves and their children.

Join the movement to end gender violence by supporting the Women's Centre for Change (WCC) on Sokong. Your contribution can empower survivors and help build a society where women and children can live free from fear. Visit their page on Sokong today and make a difference.