Starting Point
The Sabah Women’s Action Resources Group (SAWO) was established in 1985. It is a woman-led organisation but actively works with women and men that are concerned about the rising violence and injustices against women and children in society. SAWO first gained significant attention in September 1986 when it launched a national campaign against violence toward women in Sabah. The campaign featured a two-day public workshop and exhibition, marking the beginning of its advocacy efforts.
Women’s issues in Sabah have garnered attention from both government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs). The book Women in Sabah: Needs, Concerns, Aspirations (1992), published by the Sabah Women’s Action Resources Group (SAWO), is one of the earliest systematic studies on women’s issues in the state. Another significant milestone was the establishment of Wisma Wanita, which has become a landmark for women’s organizations in Sabah.
(For more details, visit SAWO’s website.)
Peace Journey
In 2012, a prominent case in Telupid, Sabah, underscored the essential role of community mediation in addressing both domestic and communal conflicts. This case involved a woman who, in addition to managing her family’s oil palm estate, suffered severe domestic abuse. Her husband, who once threatened her life by holding a machete to her stomach while she was pregnant, subjected her to regular physical violence. Her elder son intervened during one such incident, preventing a tragedy but sustaining injuries himself. As the violence escalated, the mother and son were forced to hide, often seeking refuge in nearby paddy fields.
The underlying causes of this domestic conflict were closely linked to the husband’s excessive alcohol consumption, financial instability, and habitual drunkenness, exacerbated by the availability of cheap, homemade alcohol. His tendency to squander his earnings on alcohol left the family in financial distress, perpetuating conflict and creating an unsafe home environment.
The involvement of the Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (SAWO) in resolving such disputes illustrates the effective implementation of community mediation in domestic and broader communal conflicts. SAWO employs a grassroots approach, conducting outreach in rural areas to form and train local support networks. These networks collaborate with key community figures, such as the Penghulu (village head), Ketua Kampung (village chief), and faith leaders like imams, ustazs, or priests, who often act as informal mediators. Given the patriarchal nature of many communities, male conflict actors are more likely to respond to male mediators. In some instances, the mere presence of a respected leader can de-escalate tensions and alter the conflict's trajectory. Meanwhile, women mediators focus on providing emotional support to the wife and children, helping them navigate the healing process.
Success Stories
SAWO's most significant contribution lies in raising awareness of gender rights by addressing sexual harassment through impactful campaigns. A key initiative, the Safe Campus Campaign, launched on November 15, 2020, and extended into 2021, aimed to empower university and college students in Sabah. The campaign not only raised awareness of sexual harassment but also equipped students with preventive measures. By fostering a safer, more inclusive campus environment, SAWO promotes gender equality and contributes to broader peacebuilding efforts. This initiative helps cultivate a culture of respect, reducing tensions and fostering harmonious interactions within diverse student communities.
Additionally, SAWO established Sabah’s first phone-in helpline to offer emotional support to women and families affected by gender-based violence. The organisation has also conducted numerous training sessions and awareness programs in both rural and urban areas across the state, demonstrating its commitment to empowering communities and tackling gender-based violence.
SAWO has consistently advocated for stronger protections and support systems for women and children. A notable achievement is its role in establishing Sabah’s first One-Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which addresses the needs of survivors of gender-based violence. The organisation remains an ardent advocate for the creation of additional shelters to support women and children in crisis.
However, SAWO faces challenges when engaging with male perpetrators, who may display threatening behaviour, particularly when legal action is pursued. Despite these obstacles, SAWO prioritises long-term mediation processes, utilising male leaders as advocates for peacebuilding. By involving trusted local figures, SAWO promotes community-based solutions to domestic violence and strengthens social cohesion, highlighting the transformative role of grassroots mediation in conflict resolution.