How I continue meeting amazing individuals from the #teammalaysia community.
Original photo: Beyonce In Concert At Madison Square Garden
This time I was thrilled to attend an event which combined #steem-music creatives and wonderful women from #teammalaysiababes. (read more about the event from the main organisers @perennial here and @angiechin28 here).
On the first place, I was dragged by an idea of discussing women’s rights related to domestic violence, child custody, proprietary rights in marriage, child abuse and also business which I found highly important during the week when the whole world celebrated International Women’s Day.
It is a great reminder to everyone that 8 of March is not only about flowers and appreciation for women but about a constant battle for the equal gender rights, women’s advocacy and gratitude to all the wonderwomen of the history who made our lives way easier today.
>> Check out my recent article about the progress in gender equality.
The meetup kicked off with the welcome and steemit introduction from @bitrocker2020. Before I had a good hour of mingling and meeting new people who were also intrigued to learn more about women’s rights and get some music vibes.
After that @perennial took a stage and gave a powerful talk presenting not only legal knowledge about cases of domestic abuse but educated and encouraged everyone to speak up and not ignore such a cases especially if it happens to someone else but that person is afraid to make an official report.
Around the world, especially in the developing countries like Malaysia (and Russia, where I’m originally from) with the strong patriarchal history, is a very common practice when a man treats his wife with the sense of ownership and misogyny which inherited so deeply in the culture of the society. At the same time, women are not educated or empowered enough to speak up against biases and domestic violence because they were advised not to by again the social background, family or friends.
🙅Useful statements and messages we have discussed about domestic violence
- there’s no a particular profile of a “man” who can be an abuser: there’s no face or race - abusers are there, in every country, society and religion. It’s VERY common that seems to be the nicest gentleman turns to be a monster at home
- Woman who has a kid is a most common victim of domestic abuse because she would always put her child’s security first (a man will use it to manipulate her) and sacrifice her own safety
- Interim Protection Order (IPO) is a legal protection from domestic violence which any married women can request for by following certain steps on the official website
- If it’s a case of abusive relationships and the couple is not married you still can go to the police and lodge a police report about violence
- Marital rape as a crime is recognised in Malaysia and the woman has a right to refuse having sex with her husband.
- Even if a woman doesn’t have own financial security (and often that becomes a reason because to not complain as wife is afraid to lose the ability to take care of the kid as the husband provides all the money) she can get a financial support from the government and enroll in one of the programs to learn to support her own living)
My most important takeaway is that we need to continue spreading this knowledge to all the women out there because by knowing your rights we can have a legal support and courage to fight against domestic violence.
I felt that conversation would have continued because there were so many questions raised after the presentation (we should continue it in a different space) but everyone was waiting for the next part (and the main like the @perennial have joked) of the program:
🎤Celebration of women’s day with the music!
I must say that was a perfect gift to all the participants because I’ve heard so many talented artists in one night!
The atmosphere was so cosy and friendly, so the performances were slowly turning to be a karaoke session with all the audience. That’s when @jassicania empowered all the ladies by singing “Girl on fire” and “Someone like you”!
While everyone was signing, this quite gentleman @choiko82 on the very right of the photo was sketching all the performers. just look at the result!
That’s how I got to know about #steem-cartoon community and met a talented founder @sireh.
The painting by Syafinaz, a resident artist in Liberal Latte space. 
With @jassicania, @sireh and @angiechin28 :)
I still need to adopt better a habit to take more photos during events like this to remember everyone and share with you. Although, I do enjoy the state of forgetting about my camera because the atmosphere is too good :)
After the event we went for a very late dinner (still learning if that’s ok by Malaysian standards to eat after midnight) and thanks to @orangila I reached home safely.
Overall, I had a fantastic evening (and glad that after an intense working day I made a decision to come). Special thanks to @angiechin28 for the warmest welcome to the #teammalaysiababes circle! Already met amazing @melissawong @kaeperdiem @jassicania @liewsc and can’t wait to meet more of you wonder women!
Thanks everyone for bringing two of my favourite things together: live music and women who are eager to empower others and learn more about own rights!
Untill next time,
Vika @vikapuzach 🌟
Thanks for the writeup. The drawing you included on the woman is painted by a woman. She is the resident artist in liberal latte and her name is Syafinaz.
Another wonderful and talented woman.
Thanks for mentioning her name! I was fascinated by this work <3
She is my friend. She loves music too...i try to get her to be present for the next event.
Wow! I love her painting!
I am happy to get to know you too babe! You are like a radiant energy to the group. Looking forward to have you in our upcoming meet ups and random activities 😂😂
Great write up and it was super amazing to meet you~!!! I am glad you came along and I am sure there will be more amazing events coming up... BBQ, swimming, food and just great friends from all corners of the world:)
You are also welcome for the ride and one reason why I chose to live in Malaysia is good food that is available everyday and all day
Agree, food is one of the greatest benefits of living here. I would also include tropical nature and year-long summer :)
Awesome night! Can’t wait for the next event! Nice to meet you too! @vikapuzach
yay looking forward to more catch ups!
It was great to meet you @vikapuzach. Love seeing you ordering food for yourself at the mamak :). Hope to meet up in the upcoming gatherings!
Haha thanks, Melissa 🙌 until next time!
Welcome to #teammalaysiababes @vikapuzach 😊
Thank you @coloringiship 🙏🏻
Great that you came ! Looking forward in seeing you in more meetups @vikapuzach
I can't wait for more events to come :) Thanks for growing the Malaysian community!
Hey Vika! Looks like it was a great event! Thanks for documenting it for us! :)
Thanks, Matt for checking this out. If you are around Kuala Lumpur, you are very welcome to join our events. P.S. and somehow I feel you would appreciate the Malaysian food scene :) it's honestly the best around Asia and has such a variety of tastes
You are welcome Vika! Yeah that would be cool! Someday, it seems like a great place to visit, and I am sure I would totally love the food scene there. :)
It was great meeting you @vikapuzach! <3
Likewise :) and your kids are super adorable!
Great one @vikapuzach. So now you are permanant residing in malaysia? If have come to Sabah do let us Sabah region member know, we can arrange for meetup too. Cheers.
Thank you, @bboyady for the support! I've been living in Malaysia for the past 3 years and would love to visit Sabah properly one day as I've been there just very briefly for a business trip :)
Ok. Waiting you to come for travel and meetup with other steemian here.
Absolutely awesome! Gutted to have missed this one! Great content, Vika!
Thank you, Yasmine! Hope to catch up with you at the next one :)
Thanks for the mention... Glad that we got our wefie together... You're a very friendly person and has a positive vibe glowing... looking forward meeting ya in any other event... cheers!
check it out:
https://steemit.com/steem-cartoon/@sireh/steem-cartoon-entire-day-of-steem-ing
What a great photo! See you sometime at the next event :) Cheers
Great write, good story!
Thank you, @nickychu 😀