PETALING JAYA: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has urged authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of a female university student found murdered at the hostel of a local university in Selangor.

In a Facebook post, Nancy said she visited the victim’s family before heading to Putrajaya and took time to speak with the grieving relatives and offered her condolences.

“I believe and hope that the investigation will be carried out with integrity and transparency so that justice can be upheld.

“The victim’s remains have yet to arrive and are still on the way from Hospital Serdang,” she said in the post here on Thursday (June 26).

Nancy also conveyed her deepest sympathies to the family, describing the loss as heartbreaking.

“I pray the family will be granted strength and resilience in facing this difficult time,” she said, adding that she hoped all affairs involving the family would be eased.

It was previously reported that the victim, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy student, was found dead in a students’ hostel.

The victim, who was from Kuching, Sarawak, was discovered unconscious with visible injuries on her body by her friend at about 10am on Tuesday (June 24). The friend then immediately alerted the police.

She was living with five other students who had returned home for the holidays on June 21, leaving her alone at the hostel as she was scheduled to sit for an upcoming examination.

Several items belonging to the 20-year-old have been reported missing.

Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Norhizam Bahaman said that the missing items include a laptop, mobile phone, ATM card, and cash.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation and request space and cooperation from the public as we proceed further. We are currently recording witness statements and gathering additional evidence,” he said.

Efforts are underway to locate the suspect believed to be responsible for the murder, he added.

Abeer Suleiman, a 29-year-old Alawite woman, found herself embroiled in a terrifying ordeal when she vanished from Syria’s Safita streets on May 21. A WhatsApp caller chillingly informed her family she was gone for good. Subsequently, kidnappers demanded a $15,000 ransom, threatening murder or trafficking into slavery.

According to interviews with families and local reports, Suleiman is just one of at least 33 Alawite women and girls abducted or missing amid Syria’s recent upheaval following Bashar al-Assad’s fall. The U.N. Commission of Inquiry is now investigating these cases, which have besieged Alawite heartlands like Tartous, Latakia, and Hama.

These distressing incidents reveal intensified targeting of Alawites, a minority under siege since Assad’s removal. Such disappearances, often occurring in broad daylight, have reshaped daily routines in affected regions, with many women and girls avoiding schools and public spaces due to fear of abduction.

(With inputs from agencies.)

When 28-year-old Raja Alisya Raja Fajar gave birth to her daughter via a complicated C-section, she found herself unable to get out of bed, let alone care for a newborn.

“My incision was a J-cut into soft tissue, so even simple things like walking or sitting up to nurse my baby were difficult,” she recalls.

For the first few weeks, she breastfed lying down and relied entirely on her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law for support.

It was a physically and emotionally intense period, but she considers herself fortunate.

Her confinement was lovingly managed by her mother-in-law, a health coach, who oversaw her nutrition, rest and recovery.

Raja Alisya (right) with her mother-in-law Ariza Kamarudin (far left) and grandmother-in-law Zariah Mahamud who took great care of her and her baby girl Marissa, during confinement. Photo: Raja Alisya Raja Fajar“I couldn’t go for traditional massages right away because of the stitches, but we adapted.

“During that period, warm compresses and herbal baths helped me ease the pain,” she shares.

Her confinement meals, too, were a careful blend of tradition and practicality – nutritious yet simple enough not to burden her caregivers.

She drank red dates and longan tea to help boost milk production, relied on protein shakes for breakfast, and avoided overly heaty or heavy dishes.

“As long as I was getting the nutrients I needed, my doctor said it was fine,” says Raja Alisya.

Crucial period

Taking herbs and following the ‘pantang larang’ help mothers recover from pain, swelling and hormonal imbalance, says Sharifah Halimah. Photo: Sharifah Halimah Wan OmarConfinement is an ancient practice observed by various cultures, especially in Asian countries.

This postnatal period – traditionally around one to one-and-a-half months – is dedicated towards helping new mothers heal from childbirth.

In Malaysia, where cultural traditions run deep, confinement practices often involve ­dietary restrictions, herbal ­remedies, massages and avoiding exposure to “wind” or cold to prevent long-term health issues.

According to Sharifah Halimah Wan Omar, a 60-year-old confinement herbs specialist from Kuching, Sarawak, these customs are far from outdated.

“The pain, hormonal ­imbalance and swelling after birth require care and attention. Herbs play a major role in easing this process,” she says.

Having inherited herbal knowledge passed down through three generations, she now runs Rehanas Herbs, a small business offering a curated selection of herbal treatments for both internal and external use.

“There are herbs like air periuk that help the body heal and boost energy,” she explains.

“Others like tapal perut are applied to the abdomen and wrapped with a bengkung (postpartum belly binding with a long piece of fabric around the abdomen, from the hips to ribcage).”

But it’s not just about what’s consumed or applied – it’s also about discipline and support.

“Mothers must avoid lifting heavy items, cold drinks and certain foods that can trigger bloating or slow healing. And emotional support from the family is vital,” Sharifah Halimah adds.

Nutrition and comfort

Nur Hanie prepares nutritious meals for postpartum mothers to help them recover. Photo: Nur Hanie MohammedNutrition plays a crucial role in the healing process post-delivery.

Nur Hanie Mohammed, founder of Ringkat Mama Confinement Meals in Kuching, Sarawak, has made it her mission to craft postpartum meals that fuse tradition with nutritional science.

“The body undergoes trauma during childbirth. It needs protein, vitamins, and minerals to rebuild and rebalance,” she says.

Her menu includes kacangma chicken (ginger and sesame oil chicken), ikan singgang (fish in tamarind soup), and herbal steamed chicken, each designed to enhance blood circulation, reduce inflammation and support breastfeeding.

But not all her dishes are traditional “confinement food”.

Her honey ginger grilled chicken, for instance, was created to combat taste fatigue while still delivering healing benefits.

“It’s nutritious and comforting, and helps prevent mothers from feeling like they’re eating the same food every day,” she explains.

Nur Hanie also supports some food taboos during confinement.

“Brinjals, long beans and certain tropical fruits can be high in histamines or hard to digest, especially for a body that’s still healing.

“Shellfish are bottom feeders and may contain toxins.

“There’s logic behind many of these prohibitions,” she says.

“These aren’t just old wives’ tales – they’re observations-turned-wisdom.”

When science meets tradition

Ng decided to go to a confinement centre because of the round-the-clock care provided.

This combination of scientific understanding and cultural heritage is what more Malaysian mothers are embracing today.

While some may discard older rituals like not washing their hair, they still recognise the principles behind them.

Carmen Ng, a mother of two, understands this well.

“In the past, women avoided hair washing after giving birth because there were no water heaters. It made sense. Now we have the means to adapt,” she says.

At the confinement centre where she is staying, postnatal care was personalised.

Meals were diverse, featuring both traditional Chinese dishes and Western-inspired options like grilled chicken or pasta.

“I didn’t want to feel like I was eating from the same restaurant every day,” she jokes.

“And here, I had options – as well as two soups and a tonic every day!”

Activities such as yoga and music or art therapy, group support sessions, and even DIY classes using breastmilk to make baby soap, helped foster a sense of community and healing.

“It’s not just about rest. It’s a time to emotionally process this huge life shift,” Ng reflects.

“Some mothers cried during therapy. Others just needed space to breathe.”

Evolving with the times

Nutritious meals are prepared for mothers at confinement centres as part of their postnatal care.

For today’s mothers, the postpartum journey is not a one-size-fits-all.

Some continue to observe strict traditions at home, whether cared for by family members or confinement ladies, while others opt for professional help at modern centres offering full-service recovery packages.

Valerie Voon, a 39-year-old mother of two, went through her confinement twice at a professional facility.

“It’s more convenient,” she says.

“While there’s nothing wrong with having a confinement lady, it would be too tiring and stressful for just one person to manage the cooking, cleaning, baby care, and attending to the mother 24/7,” she opines.

With trained nurses working in shifts at the centre, she feels safer, knowing that there is always someone alert and capable on hand, especially at night.

“Back in the day, our mothers did the best they could with what they had.

“But now, resources are available to make things easier and safer,” she adds.

“For instance, with an emergency C-section, recovery is much harder.

“Here, I can rest, get postnatal massages, and still bond with my baby without overexerting myself.”

At these facilities, mothers typically have structured routines: breastfeeding every two to three hours followed by meals, light art or music therapy, yoga sessions, massages and lactation support.

“It’s almost like a second womb for the mother,” Voon muses.

“You’re cocooned so you can heal before returning to the outside world.”

Comprehensive care

Cheong says she started her confinement centre because she knew the challenges of going through postnatal care at home.Having experienced a difficult confinement period herself, Katrine Cheong – founder of Little Precious Postnatal Care in Kuala Lumpur – wanted to create a space where new mothers could feel supported, nourished and understood.

“I grew up around traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) – my father was a TCM practitioner,” she explains.

“But when I had my first child, I couldn’t afford proper confinement food or herbs.

“By the time I had my second child and felt weakness in my body (when carrying the baby), I realised how much these practices matter.

“Postnatal care needs to be comprehensive – from TCM consultations and customised herbal tonics to physiotherapy and pelvic floor strengthening.

“While ancient traditions are still relevant, it’s important to adapt them to make them accessible and relevant for modern mums,” she says.

Additionally, mental health support is crucial.

“Postpartum depression is real and it’s vital to take this into account in postnatal care.

“Because of many factors – including hormones and postpartum fatigue – some mothers may feel overwhelmed, experience intense sadness and be prone to anxiety or anger. It’s important to help them through this by ‘giving more love’.

“Start by helping them manage what stresses them out first. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as lacking confidence in cleaning and changing the newborn’s diapers that triggers them.

“This is why proper care and support is so necessary post-delivery,” she explains.

As more Malaysian women advocate for autonomy and care in their postnatal journeys, traditional confinement care isn’t disappearing. It’s still relevant but evolving to suit modern times.

Whether at home, with a confinement lady, or at a centre, mothers are increasingly combining tradition with modern living.

There’s now even home-based care models offering rotating professional teams – nurses, cooks, therapists – so mothers can rest without being isolated from family.

“It’s all about customisation,” says Cheong. “The point is to support the mother in a way that suits her lifestyle, culture and recovery needs.”

For mothers like Raja Alisya, that support made all the difference.

“I couldn’t have done it without my family,” she says. “It may not have been the most traditional route, but it was the best one for me.”

At the heart of confinement lies one simple truth: after bringing a new life into the world, mothers deserve the time, space and care to recover – and to be rebirthed themselves, concludes Cheong.

A view of an old Russian checkpoint behind the new barrier fence on the Finnish-Russian border in Nuijamaa, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

LAPPEENRANTA, FINLAND – At a shooting range 10 miles from the Russian border, Finnish army reservist Janne Latto opened the trunk of his car and unpacked a small surveillance drone and controller, equipment he sees as vital for any future conflict with Finland’s neighbour.

Since the invasion of Ukraine prompted Helsinki to join NATO two years ago, tensions reminiscent of the Cold War have resurfaced along the forested 1,340-km (833 mile) frontier, Europe’s longest with Russia.

The Nordic nation is beefing up an already-sizeable reservist force and will host a new command for NATO, whose members meet in the Hague on June 24 for an annual summit.

Finnish reservist Janne Latto flies a civilian version of a Parrot Anafi drone at a shooting range near Lappeenranta, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Still under construction, an imposing barbed-wire-topped fence now dominates a once-bustling section of the border, closed by Finland after it accused Russia of weaponising migration . Shopping malls and restaurants that buzzed with Russian visitors have fallen quiet.

On the other side, Russia has slowly begun dusting off Soviet-era military bases, satellite images show. Kyiv’s June 1 attack on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet , including at the Olenya airfield near northern Finland, brought the war in Ukraine closer to home.

July 25, 2024 satellite image of Russia’s Luga base, south of St Petersburg and close to Finland and Estonia. 2025 Planet Labs PBC

A June 14, 2025 satellite image of Luga base shows increased activity. 2025 Planet Labs PBC

For this story, Reuters spoke to a dozen people in Finland’s border region, where the emerging divisions have left some unable to visit relatives and caused economic losses. Others supported the measures, citing a need to prepare for and deter future conflict.

At the shooting range, near the lakeside town of Lappeenranta, some 100 miles from Russia’s second city, St Petersburg, Latto, 47, said the Lauritsala Reservists were training with three drones including the Parrot Anafi surveillance vehicle, used by the professional armies of several NATO members , including Finland.

A grant from Finland’s association of reservist groups meant ten more were on order, he said.

Finnish reservists collect targets after a training at a shooting range near Lappeenranta, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

The 2022 assault on Ukraine hardened 47-year-old Latto’s perception of Russia.

“What if they decide to come and change the border, just like they went to Ukraine,” said Latto, who runs a small business assembling neon signs and billboards.

He recalled Soviet attempts to invade during World War Two, and how Finland was forced to cede approximately 10% percent of its territory to Russia, including Ayrapaa, a nearby municipality that his grandfather died defending in 1944.

The countries each insist they pose no threat to the other. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said some level of Russian buildup is a normal response to Helsinki’s accession to NATO, which more than doubled the length of Russia’s border with the alliance.

However, a Finnish government defence report late last year described “a heightened risk of an armed conflict,” citing the development of Russia’s military capabilities since the start for the war in Ukraine, and saying Moscow had ambitions to create a “buffer zone” from the Arctic to southern Europe.

Finland has since announced plans to stockpile landmines . It banned Finnish-Russian dual nationals from flying drones and Russians from buying property , and this week warned that mobile signals were disrupted in regions near Russia.

”Finland is responsible for over half of the entire land border between NATO countries and Russia,” Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen posted on X on Thursday, saying the country’s defence posture was to ensure the border “remains inviolable.”

Finland’s presidency declined to comment for this story. Russia’s foreign ministry did not respond to a comment request. President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday denied any plans to attack NATO. He said he did not see NATO rearmament as a threat. After Finland joined the alliance, Moscow announced plans to strengthen military capacity in Russia’s west and northwest.

The activities of the Finnish reservists, who also use firearms in target practice, are voluntary, although most have completed Finland’s long-standing mandatory male conscription.

Finnish reservist Unto Kiljunen carries weight plates meant to simulate anti-tank mines during training in Imatra, Finland, May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Finnish reservist Hannu Karvinen doing sit-up training at a competition in Imatra, Finland, May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

More than 50,000 Finns take part in such clubs, up by about a third since before the Ukraine war, according to the Finnish Reservists’ Association, with a similar increase in the number of reservists called up by the military for refresher training.

Even older members of Latto’s band of volunteers could see service in a crisis, as Finland raises the reserve’s upper age limit to 65 to add 125,000 troops to a wartime army, and to take the number of reservists to one million by 2031.

He welcomed the extended military service, saying older reservists could be drone or radar operators.

“You don’t have to run with the infantry to be a part of the modern battlefield,” said Latto, a skilled hobbyist who has made his own first-person-view goggles to control a homemade drone.

Finland, population 5.8 million, aims to have 1 million military reservists by 2031.

SPLIT FAMILIES

Some businesses are unhappy with the changes. Shopping malls and restaurants once buzzing with Russian visitors are noticeably emptier. Up to 13 million annual cross border trips have ended, affecting dual citizens with family in Russia.

The vanishing Russian tourists and dearth of trade has taken at least 300 million euros annually from a 5.5 billion euro local economy, the region’s council said. Unemployment soared to close to 15% at the end of last year, higher than the national average.

Janne Tarvainen, whose antique store has seen less customers since the border closed, Lappeenranta, Finland, May 23, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Antique shopkeeper Janne Tarvainen said that previously, some locals complained the Russian visitors had made it hard to get reservations in restaurants or find parking spots.

“I saw it differently – money was coming into the town,” said Tarvainen, who is now looking for online shoppers to replace Russian footfall.

Oksana Serebriakova, 50, whose grandfather was Finnish, moved to Lappeenranta from Moscow after the COVID-19 pandemic looking for better opportunities for her 17-year-old son Vitalik. Her older son and the boys’ father stayed in the Russian capital, with plans for frequent visits.

Oksana Serebriakova and her son Vitalik talk during an interview with Reuters in their flat in Lappeenranta, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

The border closure has split the family, creating “a very sad situation,” said Serebriakova, who is studying for a business administration diploma at a local vocational college.

The migration problem “could have been solved” with measures such as strict checks at entry points similar to airports, she suggested.

Finland has around 38,000 dual citizens, official data shows, considerably less than other countries bordering Russia. About 420,000 Finns who lived in territory ceded to Russia after World War Two settled in Finland.

Ivan Deviatkin, a local politician who has a son in Finland and an ageing mother in Russia, unsuccessfully challenged the border closure in Finland’s courts. Nine plaintiffs now have a complaint pending hearing at the European Court of Human Rights, which has asked Finland to justify the shutdown.

A painted arrow points towards the closed Finnish-Russian border crossing in Nuijamaa, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

‘RE-BORDERING’

For decades after World War Two, Finland gradually opened trade and travel connections with Russia.

Now though, the E18 motorway that links Helsinki and St. Petersburg, as well as other previously busy roads, end abruptly at metal barricades at the border.

We’ve moved kind of from an era of de-bordering to one of re-bordering. Samuel Siljanen, Finnish Border Guard Head of Operations

Finland closed the frontier over the arrivals of undocumented migrants in 2023, which Helsinki viewed as a Russian policy response to its accession to NATO. Moscow said it was abiding by rules and that Finland had adopted an anti-Russia stance.

At the time, the borderline was hardly visible, mostly marked only by poles or a low barrier to keep domestic animals from wandering off, with a small trail for occasional canine patrols to follow.

Antti Virta , deputy commander of the Southeast Finland Border Guard District, talks by the new barrier fence on the Finnish-Russian border in Nuijamaa, Finland, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

In place of that, Finland is raising 200 km (124 miles) of 4.5-metre (15 ft)-high fence dotted with cameras and motion sensors in the most passable areas of the forest-covered 1,340-km (833 mile) border. A new dirt road runs parallel for quicker access by border guards.

The changes had made “a big, big impact,” said Finnish Border Guard Head of Operations Samuel Siljanen.

“We’ve moved kind of from an era of de-bordering to one of re-bordering,” he said.

NATO COMMAND

Hopes for a quick detente run low. Helsinki believes Russia will reinforce the neighbouring Leningrad military region once the war in Ukraine ends, president Stubb has said, although he downplays any threat from Russia so far.

Behind the border, satellite images show Russia beginning some work on garrisons, including building new warehouses.

Satellite image of Russian military depot in Petrozavodsk, 170 km from the Finnish border, July 22, 2024. 2025 Planet Labs PBC

Satellite image of Petrozavodsk depot showing new buildings, June 5, 2025, Planet Labs PBC

A senior government official aware of Finland’s military planning described such work as minor and not a threat. Finland has long had a strong military. It has ordered 64 U.S.-made F-35s to modernise its fighter jet fleet. It has the largest artillery arsenal in Western Europe, another official said.

The sources requested anonymity to speak about sensitive matters.

It is important “to signal credibly to Russia that it’s not worth it,” said Chatham House associate fellow Minna Alander, whose research includes work on Finnish and Northern European security. She said Finland was not a threat to Russia.

“NATO will never attack Russia, and I believe they know this,” Alander said.

The new NATO northern headquarters will host around 50 officers from countries including the U.S. and UK together with the Finnish Army Command, in the eastern Finnish town of Mikkeli, a two-hour’s drive from the border.

“In the event that we ever moved into a conflict, this headquarters would be working alongside NATO forces in a command and control role,” Brigadier Chris Gent of the Allied Land Command told Reuters on a visit in Finland.

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Reporting by Anne Kauranen. Video: Tom Little, Francesca Lynagh and Mía Womersley. Photo editing: Maye-E Wong. Art direction: John Emerson. Editing: Frank Jack Daniel.

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For many women, silence is not consent – it’s survival. That was the unspoken truth at the heart of Julie Keeps Quiet, the Belgian film recently screened in Kuala Lumpur.

The event – hosted by the Embassy of Belgium in collaboration with the All Women’s Action Society (Awam) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia – was more than just a cinematic experience; it emphasised the need for more discourse on the issue of sexual harassment in sports.

Set within the walls of a prestigious Belgian tennis academy, Julie Keeps Quiet tells the story of a young tennis player who withholds her voice after her coach is suspended following allegations of misconduct.

The film, Belgium’s official submission to the 97th Academy Awards, does not offer easy answers. Instead, it presents an unsettling reality that many survivors of abuse recognise: that silence is often less a decision than a consequence.

Van Acker says the film highlights the many sensitive issues involved in sexual harassment and that solutions are required.

“Despite its title, the film by no means suggests that keeping quiet is a solution to sexual harassment,” clarified Belgium’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Peter Van Acker, in his opening remarks. “But it highlights the many sensitive issues involved, and that solutions are required.”

Now in its 40th year, Awam has seen firsthand how deeply rooted gender-based violence is in Malaysia, Awam president Ho Yock Lin said in her welcome address.

“Since our Telenita helpline was established in 1991, we’ve received over 15,000 calls from survivors. This year alone, we’ve already handled eight workplace sexual harassment cases – and those are just the tip of the iceberg.

“Seventy-five per cent of women in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced sexual harassment. In 2023 alone, Malaysia recorded 522 official cases, with nearly 30 involving the national sports sector,” she said.

Ho says when athletes are subjected to inappropriate comments or unwanted advances, the playing field becomes a space of fear, silence and lost potential.

“Sports is supposed to be empowering. But when athletes are subjected to inappropriate comments or unwanted advances, the playing field becomes a space of fear, silence and lost potential,” she added.

“As such, ‘Me Too’ stories shouldn’t be a rite of passage – they should be a call to action,” said Ho.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the event, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safer sporting environments in her keynote address.

In 2023, the ministry introduced the Safe Sport Code – Malaysia’s first comprehensive framework to address misconduct and abuse in the sporting world. “Safe spaces in sports are not optional – they are essential,” said Yeoh. Safe spaces in sports are not optional – they are essential, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

The Code outlines five core offences – sexual harassment, sexual grooming, psychological misconduct, physical misconduct and bullying. Since its launch, 49 complaints have been lodged under the Safe Sport mechanism – 40 of them involving the National Sports Council.

“The more we raise awareness, the more people will feel safe to come forward,” Yeoh said.

Training and preventive work are ongoing. More than 3,700 individuals – including coaches, staff and athletes – have completed the Safe Sports Course. Background checks are now mandatory for all coaches under the National Sports Council, and efforts are underway to expand this nationwide.

Still, policy alone isn’t enough and there is still much work to be done, she said.

“To truly challenge the culture of silence, we must address a range of cultural and structural issues by ensuring anonymous support for survivors, raising awareness and educating people, and fighting gender stereotypes.” (Anonymous support involves protecting the identity and ensuring the privacy of the survivor when they report or testify, so that the perpetrator doesn’t retaliate, threaten or further harm them.) (from left) Ng, Sarina, Hoh and Tehmina, at the panel discussion. The film screening was followed by a panel discussion titled “Breaking the Silence: Exploring the Impact of Sexual Harassment in Sports and Beyond”. Moderated by broadcast journalist Tehmina Kaoosji, the panel featured national U19 women’s team footballer Lauren Hoh Ruyi, former gold-medallist gymnast and Safe Sport Malaysia founder Sarina Sundara Rajah, and Awam legal advisor Dr May Ng. Their insights reflected the realities behind Julie’s silence – fear, stigma and power imbalances.

“Speaking up shouldn’t come at the cost of a person’s career,” said Hoh. “For survivors, the decision to report abuse often feels like choosing between justice and professional/personal survival.”

Sarina added, “Silence is often misread as consent. But it’s really about power – who has it, and who doesn’t feel safe enough to challenge it.” Ng addressed the stigma that silences survivors. “There’s a myth that silence equals consent but really, it equals fear; fear of not being believed, of being blamed, or of losing your place in the sport you love. We need to flip the burden. Breaking the silence shouldn’t fall only on survivors, it should be everyone’s shared responsibility.” She further pushed for a redesign of the systems meant to protect athletes. “This is not just about punishing perpetrators and wrongdoers. It’s about building clubs, schools and reporting channels that centre on the safety and dignity of those most vulnerable.” Instead of asking survivors why they didn’t speak up, we should ask why the system failed to protect them, said Onabanjo. Photo: UNFPA UNFPA Malaysia representative and Thailand country director Dr Julitta Onabanjo offered a global perspective. “One in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime,” she noted. “The cost is simply too high. Sexual harassment robs athletes of their confidence, their progress and sometimes, their future.” She challenged cultural narratives that shift blame onto victims. “Why do we ask survivors why they didn’t speak up, instead of asking why the system failed to protect them?” she asked. “The myth of the ‘perfect victim’ must end. Survivors shouldn’t need to be flawless to be believed.” In her closing address, Onabanjo emphasised the importance of rejecting rape culture and investing in prevention. “A woman is not harassed because of what she wears,” she said. “But because someone chose to harm her.”

Throughout the discussion, one sentiment echoed again and again: silence is shaped by fear, power and the structures we live within. And changing that requires more than empathy – it requires action.

For Awam, UNFPA and the Youth and Sports Ministry, the goal is clear: build systems that survivors can trust. Create spaces where speaking out is not an act of bravery, but a basic right.

“Let this film inspire us. Let it move us to action. Whether you’re a coach, a policymaker, or a parent, you have a role to play in making sports safer for everyone,” Ho concluded.