BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  On the Frontline of Domestic Violence Support

On the Frontline of Domestic Violence Support

Eswari Varanarasamma, Social Worker, Women's Aid Organisation (WAO)

09-Dec-25 15:00

On the Frontline of Domestic Violence Support

9% of Malaysian women who have ever been in a relationship experience domestic violence. 9% may not seem like much, but that essentially amounts to about 800,000 Malaysian women. These are the very realities that Eswari Varanarasamma from WAO confronts in her daily work.

Eswari Varanarasamma is a social worker at the Women’s Aid Organisation, where she works closely with women and children affected by domestic violence. In light of WAO’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, in this episode, we speak to Eswari about her journey as a social worker, some of the challenges she faces, and more.

If you’re experiencing domestic violence, here are some numbers you can contact. You are not alone.

  • WAO Hotline: +603 3000 8858 (9 am – 5 pm)

  • SMS/WhatsApp TINA: +6018 988 8058 (24 hours)

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  politicsLaw/Activism

Tags:  the bigger picturebeyond the ballot boxsocial workerwomen's rightsdomestic violencedomestic abuse





Play / Pause

Listen now : Just For Kicks: Daryl, Asran and Sean gather to review Matchweek 18...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Peter Lim, Founder & Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Jerry Goh, Asia Equities Investment Director, Aberdeen Standard Investments gives us his outlook on Indonesian equities for next year.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

: Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief of the Singapore Straits Times discusses Dato' Sri Najib Razak’s verdict in the 1MDB-Tanore saga.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

We review how streaming, AI and the Malaysia Media Council are shaping the future of media and entertainment.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Nigel Wong, President of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), discusses the outlook of the tourism sector in 2026.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) : Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Bureau Chief of the Singapore Straits Times discusses Dato' Sri Najib Razak’s verdict in the 1MDB-Tanore saga.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Peter Lim, Founder & Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Jerry Goh, Asia Equities Investment Director, Aberdeen Standard Investments gives us his outlook on Indonesian equities for next year.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Daniel Woodroof, Co-founder of Pandan Social discusses how he cultivates a Gen Z-focused workplace culture while driving effective leadership.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

(REPEAT) Mahesh Kumar, CEO, Asia Digital Engineering

11:05 AM

P&L

(REPEAT) Chan Qi Yang & Chang Lih Yen, Co-Founders, FinKnight

12:00 PM

Enter prise Explores

(REPEAT) Roshan Thiran, Founder & CEO, Leaderonomics

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

We review how streaming, AI and the Malaysia Media Council are shaping the future of media and entertainment.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

In this ‘Best of 2025’ replay, we hear from anthropologist Dr. Christine Padoch about her book Return to Nanga Jela, which revisits an Iban longhouse community in Sarawak lost beneath the Batang Ai Dam.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

In this ‘Best of 2025’ replay, we hear about the challenges of taking on the role of a full-time caregiver when you’re an older adult yourself.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Today I Learned

(REPEAT) How do I argue against conspiracies?

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

Daryl, Asran and Sean gather to review Matchweek 18 of the English Premier League.

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture

(REPEAT) Kam, Sharmilla Ganesan and Vernon Adrian Emuang discuss grandma hobbies, poetry making a comeback and Malaysia's cultural metropole on another insightful episode of ABoC!