KPWKM targets WAJA Squad to have one million members by year-end

She said the current membership stood at 326,500, consisting of 252,139 women and 74,361 men, adding that with the new membership target, the ministry wanted to end all forms of abuse, violence or oppression against women.

"Women should be loved and protected, not hurt," she told reporters after launching the National WAJA Squad Gathering 2022 here, today.

Rina said initially the WAJA Squad membership was opened to all women, but due to requests, they have welcomed male members.

"At the moment there is more than 15 per cent male participation in the WAJA Squad. Alhamdulillah within this one year, the participation is very encouraging," she said.

The WAJA squad is a volunteer group under the Women Development Department (JPW) which was launched in October last year, acting as agents and the government's eyes and ears to help raise community awareness about crime and is tasked to provide initial assistance to victims of violence or oppression.

At the event, Rina also launched the newly improved module for WAJA Squad, named WAJA Squad 2.0:Volunteer Inspirations.

She said the new module, which was developed by JPW in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Islamic Studies Academy of University Malaya and Ibnu Sina's Medical Charity Organisation of Malaysia, incorporated the psychospiritual aspect.

"This new module aims to prepare members of the WAJA Squad to overcome problems related to emergencies and disasters, especially when caring for communities that require a spiritual or religious approach. It focuses on spiritual approach therapy to deal with stress, build resilience and mental and emotional health," she added.

On the number of individuals that have been assisted by the squad, Rina said as of Aug 31, a total of 72,694 people have benefitted from the psychosocial programme organised by the squad.

She said it was an achievement for the newly established squad, adding that it has a positive impact on the needy and increases leadership spirit among the people.