The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) marked its 25th year anniversary with a celebration in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and the 'live' launch of its new website.

During the event at the Actors' Studio in Bangsar, a slide-show took the audience through the history of the organisation, as well as its achievements and the challenges faced by Malaysian women.

While WAO president Meera Samanther expressed gratitude to all who have helped, founder Chong Eu Ngoh spoke about the founding principles of the group and applauded those who have contributed to its success.

Executive director Ivy Josiah said the website will accommodate a larger volume of visitors and provide more up-to-date content as it will be managed through a content management system.

Samanther said the site will be useful to those who want to join as members.

"Previously, they would have to phone the office and pick up a membership form. The new website will make WAO more accessible to all and easier for people to become members as the membership form is available online," she said.

With a different layout and more interactive content, it allows those with a password to update the contents and for members to post up the latest information on women's rights.

Samanther said the WAO would continue its work on eliminating violence against women while also concentrating efforts on constitutional issues involving women or discrimination against women.

"Women are raising their voices on the way women's rights are affected and arguing it out in court," she said.

Also highlighted was how the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women has brought visibility to women's rights in Malaysia.

The WAO is an independent, non-religious, non-governmental organisation. It was established in 1982 when it opened Malaysia's first women's refuge to provide shelter, counselling and child support to battered women.