Church of St Michael (1890)
24 Church Road, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
T: 05-2540176
F: 05-2415437
stmc@streamyx.com
Parish Priest : Rev. Michael Cheah
Sat. Sunset Mass : 7.00 pm (English)
Sunday Masses :
8.00 am English
10.00 am Mandarin
5.30 pm English
Parish bulletin:
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4
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Celebrating Women's Day at SMC, Ipoh |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Sep 12 2008 |
31 August 2008
IPOH: Nearly 100 women had an enjoyable and enlightening time at the Women’s Day celebration held at St Michael’s church on Aug 16.
The event, themed Issues women face today was organized by the Catholic Women’s League of SMC, and attended by women of different races, backgrounds and age.
Dr Sharifah Halimah Jaafar, the guest speaker, spoke on Say No to violence and discrimination against women after a slideshow presentation on the fate of women from childhood till adulthood, in today’s world.
Dr Sharifah, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, is the president of the Perak Women for Women society since 2005, a life member of the Perak Palliative care society, the Perak Family Health association and a lecturer.
Her topic gained full attention from the women, as she raised the issue of women having less value in some societies, rape, the social stigma women face when reporting domestic violence and the consequences of physical, psychological and emotional abuse on women and children.
“Violence against women is not a petty issue. It is a consequence of gender issue and propagates from the home. We start it by discriminating between the sexes of our children. That is why awareness is important.
“We are the role models for the promotion of equality and respect for each other, and between husband and wife. Restore your 
rights and sow the seeds of equality,” she said.
Perak had the highest number of rape cases reported in 2006 after Johore, Selangor and Kedah. On average, nine women a day are raped.
Reported child abuse cases in the country, rose from 251 in 2001 to 670 in 2006.
Nine out of ten children who were sexually abused were girls.
On the characteristics of male abusers, she said 80 per cent of them were abused themselves or saw their mothers being abused.
“It’s all about power. They tend to blame their partners for their abusive behaviour, are very jealous and tend not to trust others. It is a cycle,” she said.
During question time, there were questions on how to report abuse and child abuse. A victim shared her experience of having endured abuse for many years, and the consequences on her children.
After the talk, the women took time to have fun belly dancing with Magdalene Fong, an aerobics and belly dancing instructor and three dancers.
There was much laughter and squeals of delight as they tried their best to emulate the movements of the instructors.
Pauline Eu gave the women a taste of folk art decorative painting, showing them the techniques and style she uses to teach others in the Kampung Simee Home for the Aged, as a form of therapy and stress-control. It also helps the residents earn some income to upgrade parts of the garden.
Showing some lovely handiwork in floral painting, Pauline said so far six residents of the Home, which is run by the Catholic Welfare Services, are involved in the painting project which was started in April. The project involves painting decorative wooden benches for sale.
“The men sand down the benches and the women start painting. More are expected to join in once an overhead link bridge is built to connect the two parts of the Home soon,” she said.
Those interested to learn folk art painting can also attend lessons at the Home every Tuesday morning, she said.
Last changed: Sep 18 2008 at 9:24 AM
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