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The Importance of Public Engagement in Fighting Violence Against Women

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CARE Indonesia has launched a campaign to raise awareness against violence against women in public spaces. In collaboration with the PERISAI network (Pejuang Resiliensi Solidaritas Anti Kekerasan), the public was encouraged to join in voicing their rejection of violence against women, both online and offline. This initiative is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign (16 HAKTP), as well as a commemoration of Women’s Movement Day on December 22.

Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of CARE Indonesia, stated that creating a safe space free from violence against women requires collective effort and awareness. “To push for and protect women from various forms of violence and sexual harassment cannot be done alone; it must be done by multiple parties,” he said while participating in the walk event on Sunday, December 22, during the Car-Free Day (HBKB) along Sudirman-Thamrin Street in Jakarta.

Abdul further explained that collaboration between groups, organizations, and institutions is also crucial in strengthening the struggle to convey aspirations. “We involve women’s activists from Purwakarta and Sukabumi to move together and fight to voice their aspirations. One of the ways is through the walk event to speak out against violence against women, and we also previously held a webinar themed #SayaBerani to Speak Out Against Violence Against Women,” he added.

The walk campaign at HBKB in Jakarta went smoothly and orderly. Chants and poetry readings voiced loudly by 40 PERISAI members caught the attention of those participating in activities at the location. A theatrical performance by PERISAI members on the sidewalk also drew the attention of hundreds of passersby. More than 100 people took part in writing their support to fight violence against women on the “tree of hope.”

Misrawati, a member of Jekata Purwakarta who participated in the walk event and was one of the speakers in the webinar, emphasized that women must have the same opportunities as men. However, she pointed out that women are still vulnerable to threats of violence. “Many places are still prone to violence against women, including in households. Therefore, socializing with the public is essential to stop violence against women,” she stated.

Misrawati also expressed that violence against women can be eliminated if society becomes more aware of the dangers of such actions. “With the awareness of all parties, whether men or women, within families or community spaces, violence against women can be rejected,” she explained.

Mimi, one of the supporters during the campaign, encouraged victims of violence to slowly open up about their experiences. “Anyone who experiences or knows about it, as women, we must fight and report it to the authorities so that the perpetrators face proper punishment,” she said.

On another occasion, Siti Aminah Tardi, Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), explained that gender-based violence against women is primarily dominated by psychological violence, followed by sexual violence, physical violence, with economic violence being the least reported. She noted that the low number of reported cases of economic violence is due to society’s lack of awareness of what constitutes economic violence. “Economic violence accounts for less than ten percent, and I believe this is because many in our society still do not recognize the forms of economic violence,” she explained during the 16 HAKTP webinar with the theme #SayaBerani Speak Out Against Violence Against Women on December 19.

To over 60 webinar participants, Siti called for both the public and institutions to strengthen education and campaigns to raise awareness of economic violence cases so that they become widely known. “Economic violence against women should also be a focus of attention. From my knowledge, there are still few institutions giving enough intensive attention to the issue,” she added.

During the same webinar session, Herawati, a member of the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Group in Musi Banyuasin Regency, stated that an open campaign to reject violence against women is vital to prevent further victims. “In order to reduce violence against women, my colleagues and I in the case handling team conduct campaigns in our community area, so that more people are aware and motivated to prevent violence against women,” she said.

In line with Herawati, Istiqomah, a member of the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Group in West Sumbawa Regency, emphasized that women who are victims of violence must have the courage to speak out and report. Of course, this can happen if victims receive support and accompaniment from those around them. “We provide assistance to ensure that women have the courage to report violence within the household. Our hope is that victims and those who are aware of the violence will have the courage to report and speak out so that the issue can be addressed appropriately and does not happen again in the future,” concluded Istiqomah.

 

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika

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