20 December 2025

By ~ Manjit Kaur


Online Webinar – Strategic partner supporting PWDC



The Inner Wheel Club of Butterworth concluded its participation in the Penang Goes Orange (PGO) 2025 initiative on Saturday, 20th December 2025, as a strategic partner supporting the Penang State Government’s efforts through the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).

To mark this meaningful engagement, an online webinar was organised by President Dr Lalitha Ramasamy, featuring acclaimed speaker Madam Mangaleswary Subramaniam, Head of Empowerment and Leadership at PWDC. The session highlighted IWC Butterworth’s strong commitment to this important cause.

District Chairman Jillian Estrop delivered the opening address, while Club Treasurer Ganga Devi Ganesh served as the emcee. The webinar was coordinated by Club Committee Member Ho Yi Yern.

The talk underscored the vital role of community-based involvement in addressing and preventing violence against women and children—issues that are often wrongly dismissed as private matters. The objective of the webinar was to equip participants with awareness, confidence, and practical guidance to respond safely and compassionately to survivors.

By understanding the root causes of violence, overcoming the bystander effect, and adopting survivor-centred support approaches, participants were encouraged to help create safer spaces where no one suffers in silence. The overarching goal was to move from awareness to collective action within the community.

Key topics discussed included the causes of gender-based violence, reasons such crimes often go unreported, strategies to break the silence—particularly addressing the bystander effect—and appropriate ways to support adult victims versus children, including how to encourage them to speak up.

Dr Lalitha Ramasamy brought the webinar to a meaningful conclusion, leaving participants with truly inspiring and impactful takeaways.