Experience

Women's Aid Organisation

• Malaysia
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Mar 2020 - Present

  Helped the organisation double-in-size within a year – to respond to a surge in abuse cases during the COVID-19 pandemic (crisis calls tripled, from 250/month to 800/month). Oversaw the HR team to grow staffing to 50 full-time staff, and supported the Executive Director to increase the budget to over RM4 million. Represented the organisation as a Member of several national committees, including the:• Sexual Harassment Bill Special Projects Team (Ministry of Women)• Anti-Stalking Committee (Prime Minister’s Department)• National Domestic Violence Committee (Ministry of Women)Prepared successful funding applications – from small-scale grants to strategic multi-year partnerships (including a three-year RM2.5 million partnership).Oversee the organisation's advocacy, human resources, and operational functions. Show less

• • Mar 2020 - Sep 2022

  Led advocacy campaigns resulting in national public policy reforms, including: • The creation of a 7-day Paternity Leave (Employment (Amendment) Act 2022).• Tabling of Anti-Stalking laws in Parliament (Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2022).• The establishment of the National Domestic Violence Committee (a permanent committee chair by the Ministry of Women), in 2019.With partners, co-led advocacy campaigns resulting in: • Passage of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (2022).• National budget allocation of RM21 million for women’s shelters (National Budget 2021).• Policy clarity on how domestic violence survivors could access government crisis services during the COVID-19 lockdown.Worked with colleagues to establish WAO’s research unit. Supervised and contributed to research outputs including: a national survey on attitudes on gender-based violence, and Malaysia's first-ever study estimating Malaysia’s stalking prevalence.Headed the organisations advocacy department – one of the largest public policy advocacy units among human rights NGOs in Malaysia. Show less

• • Sep 2018 - Feb 2020



Women's Aid Organisation

• Malaysia
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Feb 2018 - Jul 2018

  Had the privilege of leading Malaysia's largest gender equality NGO.Led a team of over 25 staff, 50 volunteers, and 100 members; managed a budget of over RM2 million; and worked with the executive committee (board), funders, and partners.Led the organisation to provide crisis services to survivors of gender-based violence, conduct impactful public policy advocacy, and operate efficiently and sustainably.

• • Oct 2016 - Jan 2018



Kivu International

• United Kingdom
• International Trade and Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate

  • Feb 2016 - Sep 2016

  Conducted policy analysis and research to support the organisation (an international development consultancy). Authored a report on future economic trends in Zambia – drawing from secondary data and primary research (interviews with government officials and policy actors). Developed strategies to operate in Southern Africa and South Asia – supporting the organisation to establish relationships with key stakeholders in the countries. Conducted policy analysis and research to support the organisation (an international development consultancy). Authored a report on future economic trends in Zambia – drawing from secondary data and primary research (interviews with government officials and policy actors). Developed strategies to operate in Southern Africa and South Asia – supporting the organisation to establish relationships with key stakeholders in the countries.



Women's Aid Organisation

• Malaysia
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Jan 2015 - Jul 2015

  Formed the organisation's policy advocacy unit – the first of its kind in a gender equality NGO in Malaysia.Co-led anti-domestic violence advocacy campaign – resulting in the adoption of official SOPs for handling abuse cases.Co-authored a report on domestic violence – which was presented to high-level policy-makers, and cited in the National Parliament.

• • Feb 2012 - Dec 2014

  Initiated a multi-NGO advocacy campaign – resulting in the passing of the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act 2017.Transformed the role to focus on public policy advocacy (instead of programmes) – the first-ever full-time advocacy role among gender equality NGOs in Malaysia.Documented attacks on human rights defenders, and implemented pressure campaigns – resulting in widespread media attention, including coverage in The New York Times and public statements by United Nations officials.Coordinated Malaysian NGOs to engage international human rights mechanisms – resulting in changes to ASEAN human rights declarations, and informing Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations to Malaysia. Show less