Sinar Indonesia - March
9, 2010
A peaceful action involving
the distribution of leaflets and release of balloons marked the commemoration
of International Women's Day in the city of Banda Aceh on Monday March 8.
The action was held by
women from several different organisations in Banda Aceh such as the Aceh
Development Fund (ADF), the Aceh Anti-Corruption Movement (GeRAK) and Raising
Her Voice, who distributed leaflets on the meaning of IWD at various
intersections around the city.
The leaflets contained
information about continuing inequalities in the region such as the low level
of women's representation in influential political and economic fields and the
increase in the level of violence against women and female children both in the
domestic and public domain.
The other issue taken up
was the burden of reproductive work without remuneration that is still placed
on women's shoulders along with administrative and institutional structures
that are still gender bias.
According to action
spokesperson Nani Rahayu from the Indonesian Women's Committee (KPI), the commemoration
of IWD will include a number of different activities aside from peaceful
actions. "We will hold a series of activities in commemorating
International Women's Day from March 8 until late March", said Rahayu.
This will include radio
talk shows, a peaceful action in Pidie on March 10, a public dialogue with
policy makers and an Acehnese arts performance. Radio advertisements on the
protection of women in Islam will also be aired in Banda Aceh, South Aceh, West
Aceh, Sigli, Bireuen, North Aceh and East Aceh on March 21.
The following day a
workshop will be held on the theme of rehabilitation for victims of sexual
crimes and the launch of a comic on the protection of women in Islam on March
31. (Metro TV/M 11/detikcom/Ant/g)
[Abridged translation by James Balowski from a Sinar
Indonesia report covering IWD commemorations in Aceh, Jakarta, Medan and
Yogyakarta.]
