Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (Sawo) Vice President Jollify Daniel said unequal power between men and women is the root cause of domestic violence and changing mindsets is key to stopping it.
“Violence against women happens because of unequal power,” she told a forum on women’s rights here, Saturday. The forum was jointly organised by Telenisa and Sawo.
“Just like powerful countries with money and weapons push around weaker countries, people with power, money and resources in relationships will control those without. When someone thinks they have more power and rights than others, abuse happens,” she said.
Local culture and traditions make things worse, she added. For example, at village meetings, men sit at the front while women cook in the kitchen and serve food. Women only eat what is left after the men and guests finish.
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