Approximately 9000 women are reportedly abused every year and the numbers are only increasing, said NGO All Women Action Society (Awam).

And to spread awareness and encourage non-violence in dealing with conflicts, it’s organising a ‘White Ribbon Campaign Walk and Run’ this year.

Themed 'Stopping the violence, breaking the silence', this independent women’s group is adding an extra component into the campaign - 'Men in heels: Walk a mile in her shoes'.

"This is an opportunity for men to place themselves in women's shoes, to empathise with a woman's journey, and engage with the issues of violence against women and girls," said White Ribbon chairperson Judith Loh-Koh in a press conference today.

She also said that the act of men walking in women's shoes isn't simply a stunt; rather it's a statement about the role of men in ending violence against women.

"The men may choose to either wear heels or carry them in an approximately 100 metre walk," she said adding that the walk will take place before the white ribbon campaign (WRC).

Violence against women, Loh-Koh said, is an issue that is related to strict gender roles and expectations of women.

"This walk is sacred and noble because the men and boys are symbolically saying that they are in solidarity with countless women suffering from abuse.

"They are walking for their mothers, daughters, wives, girlfriends and all women," added Loh-Koh ( right ).

This will be the first time Awam is organising a 'Men in heels' event in conjunction with the WRC, which will be their third public event.

The campaign is a global movement initiated in 1991 by a group of men after a 1989 incident where 14 women were killed by an anti-feminist.

WRC has become one of the largest men's anti-violence programmes in the world where white ribbons are worn to signify opposition towards violence against women.

Awam's WRC 3km walk and 7km run will take place on Dec 7 at Padang Merbok.

The event is open to everyone who are all encouraged, regardless of gender, to carry a pair of heels during the walk and run event.