Strengthening Women’s Capacity

Based on Woman National Commission data, Indonesia is experiencing a sexual violence emergency because the rate number of women suffering from sexual violence is still high. There were 4.475 cases in 2014, 6.499 cases in 2015, and 5.785 cases in 2016.

Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu thinks that it is necessary to increase the capacity of its students, especially the women activists. Therefore, on November 25, 2018, Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu sent Hosani Ramos Hutapea to attend a discussion on strengthening women's capacity organized by Indonesian Christian Student Movement in Bengkulu. The event took place at the secretary of Development Policy Assistance Network (JPKP) of Bengkulu and it began at 14.00 Western Indonesian Time.

Regional Police of Bengkulu spoke about its efforts to have focus attention on the protection of women and children. Based on the law, one is categorized as child if he or she is still under 18 years old. When a child is subjected to forced sexual abuse or dealing each other at that age, the offender is also subjected to sanctions. The police are trying to provide assistance and special services to the victims.

The Foundation of Education and Empowerment Center for Women and Children (PUPA) presented a patriarchal culture rooted in Indonesian society. As a result, commonly Indonesian women became the subordinated ones. They often suffered from sexual violence because of less power relation between men and women. Women become as the property of men when they are married, so they are obligated totally to surrender to their husbands. Further, women are ignored. Those who protested for such condition, will have conflicts that lead them suffering from domestic violence.

We found variety of violences. Many cases occured are parents rape children, uncles molest their nephews, etc. Therefore, PUPA encouraged the seminar participants to open their mind direction that women are not property  or objects but instead invited the participants to support fully the ratification of the Law draft on the Elimination of Sexual Violence. The ratification has been being discussed since 2011 and it is still being defended for the sake of many sexual violence victims.

Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu has a program to strengthen its activists with gender knowledge. These days, gender equality not only concern to women but also protection of the weak and marginalized people.

The protection of women is so urgent to do. In the past few years, there was a case of Yuyun who died due to being brutally raped by a group of irresponsible men.

That day, the activist was equipped with knowledge not only to strengthen themselves but also to defend others. Hosani was grateful to get a chance to join the seminar and be allowed to share with other friends about what she got. Hopefully it could be useful for all of us. (SAN)

Writer: Hosani Ramos Hutapea (Stube-HEMAT Bengkulu)