Protesters reject fuel price hikes, call for subsidy increases

KRjogja.com - March 17, 2012

Tomi Sujatmiko, Yogya – Scores of housewives from the Political Union of the FIXX Poor (Persatuan Politik Rakyat Miskin, PPRM) demonstrated against the government's proposed fuel (BBM) price hikes in front of the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Saturday March 17.

Uniquely, the protesters also brought jerrycans with the message "Reject the BBM increases" written on them.

In speeches, the housewives lamented the government policy to increase fuel prices, declaring their firm objections to the policy because it will make the ordinary people suffer even more. They also criticised the planned compensation of direct cash assistance (BLT) as half-baked.

"The BLT policy will be used to fool the people. Providing such compensation will not be able to compensate for people's needs post the fuel price hike. The people will in fact suffer further because the price of basic necessities will sour", said one of the speakers.

Action coordinator Ari Lamondjong meanwhile said that the fuel price hikes will trigger a rise in the inflation rate and increases in the price of basic commodities, transportation and the like. The government's reasons for raising fuel prices in order to save money from the state budget also make no sense.

"This is the umpteenth time BBM prices have been increased, and demonstrates to us that instead of protecting the ordinary people, the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono and the parliament have chosen to protect rich people and make the poor even poorer", said Lamondjong.

The PPRM is demanding that the government immediately cancel the planned increase to fuel prices and electricity rates because it will add to the burden of people's lives. "The government must increase the state budget allocation for people's subsidies such as subsidies for education, healthcare and the like. Revoke all discriminative laws that fail to side with the ordinary people", he said. (Aie)

[Bawa Jerigen, Ibu Rumah Tangga Tolak Harga BBM Naik - KRjogja.com. Sabtu, 17 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

'It's not the skirt that's mini, but your brain that's mini'

Antara News - March 8, 2012

Jakarta – The proposed banning of mini-skirts in an around the House of Representatives (DPR) was one of the issues taken up in an action commemorating International Women's Day in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

"It's not the skirt that's mini, but your brain that's mini", read one of the banners brought by the Women's Justice Forum (Forum Keadilan Perempuan, FKP).

"People still have a patriarchal thinking, believing that if a person wears revealing clothing they want to be raped. This is a patriarchal thinking that has to be exposed", said FKP spokesperson Iswarini.

According to Iswarini, many women who are not wearing a mini-skirt have also been raped, even those wearing a jilbab (veil) and concealing clothing. The protesters also stated that the state has failed to fulfill women's right to protection and security as mandated by the Indonesian constitution.

FKP citied data from the Jakarta Metro Jaya regional police, which recorded 68 cases of rape in the Greater Jakarta area in 2011.

The victims of rape potentially experience being raped seven times, by the perpetrator, society, the victim's associates, religion both institutionalised as well as individual, the police, the courts and the media.

Iswarini asserted that the state's role should be to protect women. "If this doesn't happen, then the state is neglecting the conditional mandate to provide as sense of security and protection to women", she said.

Iswarini also raised the issue of the regulations in the Criminal Code that classify rape as an immoral act that disturbs social order and security, not as an attack on the integrity of a woman's body.

"Regulations such as this ignore the importance of the mechanisms of protection, recovery and rehabilitation of the victims", said Iswarini. (M047)

["Bukan salah rok mini" kata demonstran di depan Istana - Antara News. Kamis, 8 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

IWD protesters in Medan say capitalism curbs women's rights

Harian Orbit - March 8, 2012

Medan – The commemoration of International Women's Day on March 8 was enlivened by a demonstration by scores of women in front of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in Medan. The protesters said that women are still treated unjustly and subordinated in numerous ways.

The protesters, who came from the Women's Liberation Struggle Front (FPPP), called for an end to violence and sexual harassment against women.

Action coordinator Jumeida said that women are still treated as second-class citizens. One indication of this is that the state still does not give women the broadest possible access to jobs.

Jumeida also said that women invariably become the object of violence but the government has been unable to guarantee special protection for women.

Moreover the recent proposal to ban women wearing mini-skirts at the national House of Representatives gives the impression of undermining women's' rights as if what they wear can give rise to criminal acts. Yet, she added, women should have the right to be complete human beings.

"Women's expression [of themselves] should not be restricted", she asserted. Jumeida believes that the current enemy of women is the capitalists who attempt to curb women's rights.

Meanwhile, Syahfitri, a member of the North Sumatra DPRD Commission A and secretary of the women's empowerment caucus, attempted to hold a dialogue with the protesters. Syahfitri said that she herself as a member of the DPRD had never made any promises to the people.

Upon hearing this remark, the protesters refused to speak with Syahfitri saying that she is not competent to receive the aspirations of society.

The action, which continued for around five hours, resulted in the flow of traffic on Jl. Imam Bonjol becoming congested. Om-26

[Peringatan Hari Perempuan, Wanita Diperlakukan Tak Adil - Harian Orbit. Friday, March 9th, 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Activists say government polices, laws discriminate against women

Krjogya - March 8, 2012

Danar Widiyanto, Yogya – The ideals articulated during the momentum of International Women's Day (IWD), which is commemorated each year on March 8, totally contradict the reality of women's lives in Indonesia. Indonesian is also one of the few countries where the government fails to protect or provide welfare to women.

It is this phenomena that inspired scores of women from the Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Indonesia, Gepari) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta to hold an action demanding equality and welfare for women on Thursday March 8. The action began in the vicinity of the Abu Bakar parking area in Central Yogyakarta then proceeded to point zero at the central post office.

Action coordinator Fatum Ade said that every year IWD is commemorated in many countries, including Indonesia. But women are still oppressed and experience injustice in many sectors. Moreover the incidences of sexual violence and harassment that befall women are increasing day by day.

"Women are the one's who are most vulnerable to violence and injustice. Moreover policies in a number of sectors, particularly the workplace, do not provide any support to women. Many companies do not permit [women to take] leave for menstruation, pregnancy or giving birth. Sexual harassment in the work environment still continues to take place", she said.

The quality of women's lives, continued Ade, is increasingly constrained by discriminative government policies. One of these is rape as regulated under the Criminal Code, where there is still only one article under the chapter on morality. Yet rape is clearly a crime.

"The other government policy that will worsen the quality of women's lives is the planed fuel price hikes [in April]. This move will automatically give rise to oppression and poverty for low-waged workers and employees, the majority of which are women who will suffer even more", she explained.

Gepari is demanding that IWD be used as a momentum for the government to provide legal guarantees and protection for women. The group is also calling on the government to revoke discriminative regulations and policies.

"Women have the right to obtain equality and prosperity in various sectors. Including guarantees of education, healthcare and protection at work, as well as opportunities to be involved in politics", she asserted. (Aie)

[Nasib Perempuan Masih Memprihatinkan - KRjogja.com. Kamis, 8 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Commemorating IWD, Palu police presented with 500 underpants

Detik News - March 8, 2012

Mahfudz Jufri, Palu – Hundreds of people from the National Police Crisis Center for Violence against Women and Children (CC-Kapak) held a protest action commemorating International Women's Day on Thursday March 8. During the action, they presented a gift of 500 underpants to Central Sulawesi police chief Brigadier General Dewa Parsana.

The demonstration began with a long-march through the major thoroughfares of Palu city followed by an action at the Palu municipal police headquarters on Jl. Pemuda in the sub-district of East Palu. After giving speeches for around half-an-hour, they then marched to the Central Sulawesi municipal police headquarters on Jl. Sam Ratulangi, also in East Palu.

There, the demonstrators were received by public information chief Police Commander Rostin and Palu District Police operational division chief Police Commander Sutrisno. "The chief of police cannot attend because there's a meeting, so Mr Sutrisno and I are here to represent him", said Rostin.

Shouts of anger ensued. A parcel contained 500 women's underpants with the words "To the honorable Mr Central Sulawesi Police Chief" was then handed over to Rostin and Sutrisno. In addition to those enclosed in the parcel, underpants of various colours were also hung from pieces of string.

Action coordinator Nurlela Lamasitudju said that the police often take cases of petty crimes to court. But when victims are women and children, "Strangely the cases are not acted upon", said Lamasitudju.

The protesters called on Parsana and Palu police chief Ahmad Ramadhan to be sacked. After handing over the parcel of underpants and giving speeches, the demonstrators disbanded in an orderly fashion. (try/nrl)

[Hari Perempuan Internasional, Kapolda Sulteng Dihadiahi 500 Celana Dalam - DetikNews. Kamis, 08/03/2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Women activists in Yogyakarta reject unjust, oppressive capitalist system

Suara Merdeka - March 8, 2012

Yogyakarta – The commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Thursday was marked by a protest action by hundreds of women from the Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Indonesia, Gepari) voicing their demands on the grounds of the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

The protesters said that the state has failed to protect and provide welfare to women. The indications of this can be seen from various things, from the numerous legal cases that have befallen women to the problem of low wages.

Action coordinator Fatum Ade said that although the number of women in parliament has increased, the enactment of laws that discriminate against women has grown in number. "Every year Women's Day is commemorated throughout the world. But in our country, women are still found that are victims of oppression and injustice", she said.

These conditions, which box women into a corner, are caused by a state that adheres to the capitalist system. There are many negative effects that in the end have to be shouldered by women such as violations against the right to leave for menstruation, pregnancy and giving birth.

"The capitalists take advantage of the situation to get women workers with low wages. They are also vulnerable to dismissals because women are not considered the main breadwinner [in the family]", she asserted.

When confronting the law, particularly in relation to cases of sexual violence, women are often boxed into a corner. Under the criminal code, rape is still covered in an article under the chapter on morality. Yet rape is clearly a crime.

"Meaning a rapist is considered as a person who acted immorally. Rape cases should be provided for under a separate chapter that contains articles and laws that are more explicit", she explained.

The action, which was joined by activists from a number of different groups, proceeded in an orderly manner. The demonstrators began the action at the Abu Bakar Ali Park then set off towards the central post office. There was little security apparent during the march and the flow of traffic in the Malioboro shopping area continued to flow smoothly. (Amelia Hapsari/CN34/JBSM)

[Ratusan Aktivis Perempuan Tolak Sistem Kapitalisme - Suaramerdeka.com. 08 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Sexual violence against women in the workplace common

Republika - March 8, 2012

Jakarta – The fact is that sexual violence against women often occurs in the workplace. Iswarini, the spokesperson for the Women's Justice Forum (Forum Keadilan Perempuan, FKP), says many women workers report being victims of sexual violence at work.

"Several said that they had to sleep with superiors if they wanted to be promoted, or there are even some whose underpants are examined to substantiate [if they are telling] the truth when they ask for menstrual leave", she said.

The worst thing is that not many victims of sexual harassment have the courage to report they cases to the appropriate party. "Only a few are brave enough to talk about it, and I'm sure there are still many more cases of sexual harassment that are not exposed because of the prejudices of the system", said Iswarini.

Thus in the context of International Women's Day, the FKP launched a demonstration with the theme "The state is complicit in the rape of women" at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on the morning of Thursday March 8.

"There are many things that cause a [culture] of 'silence' among victims of sexual violence, including the lack of impartiality in the legal system in Indonesia and our social outlook that still considers victims of sexual harassment as [people who are] immoral or soiled goods", said Iswarini.

Iswarini went on to say that 50 percent of incidents of sexual violence that are reported are rapes. "There were 400,939 cases of violence reported to police, 93,960 of these were sexual violence and 50 percent of these were cases of rape", she said.

According to Iswarini, socialisation to break open the silence of victims of sexual harassment needs to be conducted on a continuous basis in order to eliminate patriarchal views about women.

"To this day there is a perspective that women's bodies are an invitation to sexual harassment in our society, one of the concrete examples of this is the statement by [House of Representatives speaker] Marzuki Alie on mini-skirts not long ago", said Iswarini.

Holding a demonstration, according to Iswarini, is one of the most effective ways to overturn social awareness in order to develop a healthy view about sexual harassment against women.

"It's not a woman's body that is at fault when cases of sexual harassment occur, we want to see a future were women can walk the streets in safety even though they are wearing a mini-skirt", said Iswarini.

[Duh, Kekerasan Seksual terhadap Perempuan Sering Terjadi di Tempat Kerja - Republika.co.id. Kamis, 08 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

IWD action in Bandung calls for end to violence and discrimination

Detik Bandung - March 8, 2012

Oris Riswan Budiana, Bandung – Around 60 women from the West Java Regional Women's Committee (KPR) celebrated International Women's Day in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung with a protest action on the grounds of the Gedung Sate building on Jl. Diponegoro.

During the action the protesters called for equality between men and women, saying that there are still many differences or discrimination that have to be accepted by women. They also demanding security guarantees from the government because there are still many incidents of sexual harassment against women.

"There are still man women who are being harassed. We demand safety wherever we may be", said KPR chairperson Nurbetty when sought out during a break in the action.

Nurbetty said that women want to be respected both by men and by the government. She hopes that the government will pay more concern to women, including women in the workplace. "Please respect us. And we hope that the government will care more about women in order to prevent discrimination against us", she asserted.

During the action, the protesters made six demands. These included, among others, calling for protection for women and working women, an end to violence and discrimination against women in the workplace and equality with a 40 percent quota for women in all public positions. (ors/ern)

[Puluhan Orang Peringati Hari Perempuan di Gedung Sate - DetikBandung. Kamis, 08/03/2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Women activists launch sticker campaign against sexual violence

Tempo - March 6, 2012

Atmi Pertiwi, Jakarta – Twenty or so women from the Women's Justice Forum (Forum Keadilan Perempuan, FKP) distributed around 500 stickers on busses and city public transport vehicles at the Kampung Rambutan bus terminal in East Jakarta on March 6. Written on the yellow stickers was, "Stop rape and sexual harassment".

The stickers are intended as part of a campaign demanding an end to sexual violence against women. The activists are calling on the government to be firm in fully investigating cases of sexual harassment and violence against women. "Cases of sexual violence such as the May 1998 [riots in Jakarta] have still not been explained to this day", said campaign field coordinator Dian Novita from the Free Women National Committee (KNPM).

Novita said that the campaign intentionally targeted the Kampung Rambutan bus terminal because it is one among several points for the departure of busses and city public transport vehicles to the outskirts of Jakarta. According to Novita, it is in the areas on the outskirts of Jakarta that most of cases of sexual violence have occurred on public transport vehicles.

Quoting from KNPM data, Novita said that there were 93,960 cases of sexual violence out of a total of 400,939 cases of reported violence. "Accordingly, every day there are 20 women who fall victim to sexual violence", said Novita.

The data also shows that rape is the most common type of sexual violence that is occurring, accounting for more than 50 percent of all documented cases or 4,845 cases. Last year alone, the Metro Jaya regional police recorded 68 cases of crimes involving rape.

Cases of rape on public transport vehicles meanwhile have occurred on at least six occasions in the last six months. One of these was the case of Livia Pavita Soelistio, a Bina Nusantara University student and R, a housewife from the Jakarta satellite city of Depok. "Unfortunately, to this day there is yet to be a full resolution of these cases", said Novita.

The sticker campaign is also being conducted in the lead up International Women's Day that falls on March 8. Tomorrow, they plan to conduct a sticker campaign in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta. "We will hand them out to drivers who pass in front of the Palace", said Novita.

[Stiker 'Stop Perkosaan' di Angkot - TEMPO.CO. Selasa, 06 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Government ignoring upsurge in sexual violence against women

Pelita Online - March 5, 2012

Jakarta – The House of Representatives (DPR) and the government are still not paying attention to the fate of victims of rape and sexual harassment. Moreover the impression given by the DPR and government is that they are ignoring the problem even though year by year the incidents of rape and sexual harassment of women continue to increase.

This was conveyed by the Free Women National Committee (Komite Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika, KNPM) during a free speech action in the lead up to International Women's Day in Jakarta on Sunday March 4.

"Up until now, the government and parliament is still neglecting cases of rape and sexual harassment against women, it is even as if they are allowing it to happen", said action spokesperson Dian Novita. Yet, explained Novita, cases of sexual harassment and rape often occur in Indonesia and for women, this obviously makes them very anxious.

According to the KNPM's own records, there were 4,845 cases of rape and sexual harassment of women between 1998 and 2010. More than three quarters of these cases of sexual violence were perpetrated by people close to the victim such as fathers, husbands, older brothers, uncles, grandfathers and boyfriends.

"This makes us realise that even being with the people who are closest to us does not ensure that women can avoid incidents of sexual violence", she explained.

Moreover incidents of rape and the sexual harassment of women are not just occurring in places that are quiet but also in busy public locations. In addition to this, the perpetrators are diverse, from close relatives, public transport drivers, celebrities, government officials and politicians.

According to data from the Jakarta Metro Jaya regional police there has been an increase in rape cases on city public transport by as much as 13.33 percent. In 2010 there were around 60 cases, increasing to 68 cases in 2011.

In addition to this, Novita also gave the example of the Cakung Nusantara Bonded Zone (KBN) in North Jakarta, where the majority of workers are women, but there are frequent incidents of sexual harassment when women workers are traveling to and from work.

Moreover women often have to endure sexual harassment when they are attempting to find work or a good position in their offices. "These are only a few examples of the negative work environment that many women in Indonesia experience", she said.

Because of this, the KNPM will continue to call on the government and the DPR pay more attention to women's quality of life in the future. "In the context of commemorating International Women's Day, we will continue to call on the government and the DPR to address these issues", she asserted. (cr-14)

[DPR-Pemerintah Tidak Peduli Nasib Korban Perkosaan - Pelitaonline.com. Senin, 05 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

Women activists call on government to revoke discriminatory bylaws

Tribune News - March 4, 2012

Edwin Firdaus, Jakarta – Cases of rape and sexual harassment against women occur often and repeatedly in Indonesia.

These cases are not only ignored by the government, but also existing regulations, explained Free Women National Committee (Komite Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika, KNPM) public relations officer Dian Novita, which appear to not to support the prevention or resolution of cases that involve women.

Such as Article 285 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, which Novita says covers these cases in general but is still to narrow. As a consequence, rape cases are not prosecuted adequately.

"In Article 285 of the Criminal Code, rape is defined as only forced sexual intercourse, (the penetration of the sexual organs), nothing else, and because of this it creates difficulties in the prosecution of rape cases by law enforcement officials", Novita told Tribune News during a protest action at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Sunday March 4.

In addition to this, continued Novita, many regional regulations have sprung up that discriminate against women. This she continued shows that the government still regards sexual violence as something that occurs because it is the woman's fault.

"Because of this therefore, we will continue call on the state to take responsibility for this. We are also pushing for discriminative bylaws to be revoked", she said.

[Komnas Perempuan Desak Pemerintah Cabut Perda Diskriminatif - Tribunnews.com. Minggu, 4 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]

'The state is also complicit in the rape of women'

Seruu - March 4, 2012
 

Jakarta – International Women's Day (IWD) is commemorated every year on March 8. This afternoon, scores of demonstrators from the Free Women National Committee (Komite Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika, KNPM) held a free speech forum at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

The action, which was joined by scores of workers and women activists, took up the key issues that are yet to be resolved by the government such as women's battle against rape and sexual harassment in Indonesia.

Action spokesperson Dian Novita said that up until this day the state has neglected to resolve cases of rape and has allowed sexual harassment to continue unabated.

"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has neglected the resolution of rape cases, likewise the parliament (DPR, House of Representatives) has allowed sexual harassment against women to occur", Novita told journalists on Sunday March 4.

Moreover, Novita explained, the problem of violence that has become widespread of late has occurred because the state is also complicit in the rape of women.

Novita explained therefore that on March 8 Indonesian women will be ready to take to the streets. "We will go to the State Palace and convey a message to the administration of SBY and [Vice President] Boediono that the state is complicit in the rape of Indonesian women", she said.

On March 8, 1917, women in Russia were for the first time given the right to vote by the Russian government. It was this milestone that started commemorations by women throughout the world or International Women's Day.

In Indonesia meanwhile, we probably know Raden Ajeng Kartini as the milestone of upholding gender equality for women, which we usually commemorate as Indonesian Women's Day on April 21. [simon salakory]

Notes:

Raden Ajeng Kartini was an Indonesian regent's daughter during the Dutch colonial period who, through her letters home, outlined her dreams of a better life for women. She died aged 25 a few days after giving birth to her first child. A variety of myths have made the original Kartini a nationalist hero and feminist symbol. Hari Kartini (Kartini Day) is a public holiday dedicated to the memory of the turn-of-the-century hero.

[Negara Juga Memperkosa Perempuan - Seruu.com. Minggu, 4 Maret 2012. Translated by James Balowski.]