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INDONESIA
#1 Providing Gender
Training to Law Enforcement Officers The Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum, LBH-APIK) has developed a training programme to introduce a gender perspective to law enforcement officers. Developed out of earlier collaborations with the Law Faculty of the local university and the Police Academy, this innovative strategy strives to ensure that the law serves both women and men equally. By March 1999, two training sessions had been held in cooperation with the Indonesian Association of Judges (IKAHI). More than fifty lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, judges and immigration officers (one quarter of whom were men) have been trained through participatory discussion-based methods which addressed themes such as The Role of the Judiciary in Gender Equality. This long-term strategy for addressing violence against women has increased requests to LBH-APIK from government and others for advice and information about violence against women issues. # 2 Raising Awareness
through the Media The Women's Journal Foundation (Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan) has played a significant role in raising awareness of violence against women through its quarterly publication Women's Journal (Jurnal Perempuan). The journal began in 1996 as an academic publication aiming to address the lack of material about women's studies. It received a very positive response, with each edition selling over 2,500 copies, reaching many cities across Indonesia. Subscribers to the journal include women from both academic and non-academic fields. As well as addressing domestic violence and state violence in single articles, Women's Journal devoted an entire edition to VAW in late 1998. The journal has been effective in mobilizing women to demand their rights, and resulted in the formation of the organization "Voice of the Concerned Mothers". The Women's Journal Foundation (Suara Ibu Peduli) has also developed studies, book programs and radio programmes as ways to raise awareness of women's issues. The radio programme, a talk show based on the theme "Democracy, Culture and Women's Rights", is broadcast by four radio stations. # 3 Creating Networks
of Services Recognising that strength comes from numbers, a group of 23 organizations decided in 1996 to found the Anti Violence Against Indonesian Women's Movement, Gerakan Anti Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan Indonesia - GAKTPI. The network has since grown to 65 organizations and individuals who work in the violence against women field, with a secretariat located in one of the founding organizations. GAKTPI was created as a network to help organizations work together against VAW. It is not intended to become a formal institution in its own right, nor to develop activities which overlap the activities of its members. Instead, it keeps track of the activities of its member organizations on a monthly basis, so that cases which come to GAKTPI directly can be quickly referred to the appropriate specialist organization. GAKTPI also coordinates integrated activities across the network in the areas of training, campaigns, and advocacy. Through the cooperation and integration created by GAKTPI, the collective efforts of its member organizations become more visible to the public and more influential in public policy. # 4 Preventing VAW
Through Teaching Self-Defense Teaching self-defense to women is not new. But running self-defense courses in order to prevent violence against women is quite innovative. This is one strategy, which the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kongres Wanita Indonesia - KOWANI) developed in response to the widely reported mass rapes of Chinese Indonesian women in May 1998. In collaboration with the Jakarta Police Department, KOWANI ran their first self-defense course for women in September 1998. Forty women (including an 80-year-old grandmother) took the course, which was held once a week over two months. The course focused on defending against taller or stronger attackers by using strategic moves and knowledge of weak points in the human body. At the end of the course, participants felt more confident and independent because they knew how to protect themselves. One had even used the techniques to defend herself when she was attacked on public transport. # 5 Addressing Policy
Reform at the National Level Until recently, the Indonesian government denied that violence against women was a problem. Following the widely reported mass rape of Chinese Indonesian women in Jakarta in May 1998, demonstrations and protests demanded that the government explicitly acknowledge the existence of violence against women in Indonesia. Eventually, the government responded by establishing a National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komisi Nasional Anti Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan - KNAKTP). To date, only two activities have been held - national dialogue, and the listing of more than ten women's crisis centres. Other activities have been postponed due to lack of funding. However, KNAKTP plans to collect data and present a national report on VAW issues in the next 3-5 years. It also hopes to establish a witness program and hold international workshops. Collective learning will be encouraged by funding two pilot projects - a one-stop hospital-based crisis centre, and a community support based system. While KNAKTP is yet to achieve significant concrete outcomes, its establishment is a major policy reform in itself, and should not be undervalued. # 6 Focusing on
Domestic Violence Mitra Perempuan (MP) is an organization founded by the Elimination of Violence Against Women Foundation to focus primarily on domestic violence. Its first aim is to defend women, especially those who are weak economically, politically, socially or culturally. The second is to empower women so that they can avoid becoming victims of violence, or rebuild their lives after suffering violence. MP provides a comprehensive range of programs: a. direct services - a
telephone hotline, counseling, temporary shelter, advocacy and support MP has used many innovations in its work, including developing its own electronic mailing list. Throughout all its activities it has focused on integrating with other organizations and networks, as this makes its own contribution more effective. # 7 Raising Political
Awareness The Indonesian Women's Coalition for Justice and Democracy (Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia Untuk Keadilan Dan Demokrasi - KPI) in Jakarta has used political campaigning, including demonstrations, to raise political awareness about violence against women. Over a six-month period in 1998, three demonstrations were held, at which 300-700 women marched to protest about violence against women and publicly express their support for the victims. Following the widely reported mass rape of Chinese Indonesian women in Jakarta in May 1998, public dialogue was also encouraged through an art exhibition associated with a demonstration. Through its political campaigning, KPI aims to increase women's status by changing people's understanding of social and political relations between women and men. They go beyond trying to solve the problems of individual cases, to questioning why women become victims of violence in the first place. KPI believes that the answers to this question will be significant in putting an end to VAW. KPI increases the effectiveness of its campaigning through the use of data gathered from the media and other sources. They have held discussions with the government and with political representatives, including a 2 ½ hour meeting with President Habibie. This meeting led to the establishment of a new government organization, the National Commission on Violence Against Women. # 8 Raising Community
Awareness to Help Find Foster Families Faced with the lack of a women's crisis center, Kalyanamitra has used community awareness strategies to help find foster families for victims of violence against women. Foster families are found through individuals, non-government organizations, and groups such as churches. The community awareness program aims to increase awareness of the existence of violence against women, so that communities can identify, report and take action on VAW cases. It also aims to increase people's willingness to offer support when confronted by incidents of violence against women, for example by becoming foster families. By encouraging people to help each other, Kalyanamitra hopes to establish a strong people's movement that will contribute to eliminating violence against women. An important factor behind the success of the community awareness program is that Kalyanamitra identifies violence against women as a social problem rather than an individual problem. They focus on all types of violence against women, from sexual harassment to domestic violence, and work with women from all walks of life. # 9 Focusing on Women
Migrant Workers The Jakarta-based Women's Solidarity for Human Rights (Solidaritas Perempuan - SP) has focused on addressing violence against women migrant workers, recognizing that they are usually in a weak bargaining position, and easily exploited. Of the organization's four main activities, two focus on direct services for victims - dealing with cases of violence against women migrant workers, and running three women's shelters. The third activity is policy and advocacy, such as raising the VAW issue with governments, and becoming involved in policy forums. Recently, for example, the government invited two SP members to participate in policy and law reform regarding the protection of migrant workers. The fourth main activity is providing training for women migrant workers and their communities. This 3-5 day training is offered in areas where women migrant workers are concentrated, such as East Java. Conducted in a simple feminist matter, it is aimed at giving the women basic knowledge of their rights, and of state policies which affect them. Before the work of SP began, women migrant workers were silent and accepting of their conditions. Now these women are beginning to raise their problems, and demand their rights. # 10 Extending Services
from a Crisis Centre Rifka Annisa in Yogyakarta provides a range of services to address violence against women, particularly among the lower classes. The most common form of support for victims is counselling, either through face-to-face meetings, by telephone or by mail. However, these strategies do not reach those victims who cannot come in to the centre because they have financial problems, are unable to leave their children, or are afraid of their husbands. To address this, Rifka Annisa also provides outreach services for up to 12 cases per month. # 11 Raising Community
Awareness of VAW The Women's Association Against Violence (Serikat Perempuan Anti Kekerasan - SPEAK) uses public forums, discussions and newsletters to raise community awareness of violence against women. These complement other activities such as counseling, stress reduction therapy and training courses for counselors. The reactions during public forums on violence against women demonstrate the need for this type of work. In forums for student counselors in high schools, there was a strong tendency to blame women for incidents of violence against them. In forums for high school students, female students responded positively, while male students tended to be both offensive and defensive. In a community forum, it was disappointing that many men were not interested in the issue, and left the forum early. In contrast, while the issue was new to the women, they reacted very positively. This forum led to the establishment of informal discussion groups of mothers, guided by SPEAK. Other forums have resulted in victims of VAW contacting SPEAK to receive counseling. In the future, SPEAK intends to extend its community awareness program by holding seminars for teachers of handicapped students so that the teachers will be able to teach their students about VAW, and identify incidents of violence. While small in scale, these types of activities help to spread and accelerate the elimination of violence against women. # 12 Providing a Gender
Perspective to Data The Centre for Analysis and Dissemination of Data (Akatiga) was created to bring a gender perspective to data on social issues. It focuses on social problems which affect women, producing data and analysis which are used to raise awareness in society, and to make policy recommendations to government and other agencies. The main activities of the centre are research, social analysis training, publications, and networking with other non-government agencies. These activities are often undertaken with, or on behalf of, other organizations. Data is disseminated through books, comics, published articles, seminars, workshops, and the centre's own journal, the Social Analysis Journal. In relation to violence against women, Akatiga collaborates with other organizations to develop research and data that can be used in advocacy about VAW issues. For example, Akatiga is currently researching the impact of the economic crisis on poor women, and in this context is highlighting non-physical types of violence against women. The centre is also working with the Women's Group for Labour Justice to develop a database on the health and safety of women labourers. Other issues which Akatiga plans to address in the future include women and land; women labourers; women as small business owners; women migrant workers; and women in the law. Many of these projects will be undertaken in collaboration with organizations specializing in violence against women. # 13 Using Economic
Empowerment to Prevent VAW In a region of military repression, it is difficult to undertake campaign and advocacy work about any form of human rights violations. Faced with this challenge, Flower Aceh has "gone undercover" by implementing economic empowerment programs for women, particularly for women victims of violence. Women's access to the economy in these regions was very limited. For example, in one area with 150 women of working age, only 10 were operating small businesses. This was a result of many factors, including ignorance of women's work, ignorance of women's property rights, and lack of attention to women's rights in development planning. To address this, Flower Aceh has worked with a variety of funding organizations to introduce income generation programs in several villages. Activities have included traditional salt processing, goat breeding, and agriculture. By increasing their access to economic resources, Flower Aceh's programs strengthen women's bargaining positions. Women have their own capital to support themselves, and provide for their children's education, and therefore become less economically dependent on their husbands and on society in general. This independence helps women to avoid physical and mental abuse. # 14 Working as
Individuals in an Emergency Area Even when there are no formal organizations focusing on violence against women, individuals can still make a difference. In Ambon, four friends led by Onny, a male worker in an organization which deals with broad social issues, have undertaken several activities addressing violence against women. With the assistance of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH-APIK) in Jakarta, they have used posters and local radio to campaign against discrimination against women. They have also provided data on domestic violence to LBH-APIK, which was used in advocacy and VAW policy reform activities. Following the riots which occurred in Ambon in 1999, Ambon became an emergency area, and violence against women and all other issues became secondary to the emergency itself. Onny and his friends continued to focus attention on violence against women, collecting data on women who were tortured and murdered. Under such extreme conditions, their efforts to raise the awareness of VAW are commendable. # 15 Establishing
Women's Forums in a Rural Area The Prosperous Flores Foundation (Yayasan Flores Sejahtera - SANRES) has cooperated with other organizations such as the Jakarta-based Kalyanamitra and the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice in order to begin addressing violence against women in this rural area. Though still relatively undeveloped, the organization is undertaking advocacy, awareness raising and counseling. SANRES established the Society Organization Program to raise women's position in society through awareness-raising seminars and meetings. Under the guidance of SANRES, 15 women's groups have been established, involving almost 300 women. Some groups focus on economic issues, such as patenting the rights to local handicrafts. Others more directly address violence against women issues. The "Dona Inez" Women's Solidarity group, for example, focuses on demonstrations. Recently, its demonstrations in a sexual rape case succeeded in putting a rapist in prison. The activities of SANRES have motivated women to be independent, to make their own decisions, and to participate in public forums. SANRES encourages women to believe that women have equal rights to men. It finds that in a rural area such as Flores, this is a useful starting point for other violence against women activities. # 16 Using Information
in a Region of Conflict In a region of conflict, seeking justice for incidents of violence against women is particularly difficult. The 20-member organization GERTAK, founded in November 1998, has focused on raising awareness, gathering information about specific incidents, and advocating on behalf of victims. GERTAK has used art to raise awareness of violence against women, and to promote the organization. A large painting in the heart of the city tells a story about violence against women, showing for example a woman who has been raped. A question mark and the word "GERTAK", encourage people with concerns about VAW to contact the organization. The effectiveness of this strategy is indicated by the recent case of an 18-year-old girl who came to GERTAK to report that she had been raped by a soldier. In addition to direct approaches from victims, GERTAK also obtains information about specific incidents through the mass media, and word of mouth. In these cases, GERTAK attempts to contact the victim to check the facts. Accurate information is very important to achieving justice, and in a region of conflict it is easy for information to be manipulated, or even to disappear. In each case, GERTAK helps the victim, records the information about the case, reports it to the appropriate authorities, and advocates on behalf of the victim. The information GERTAK collects is also used to support arguments in local media, or by other advocacy organizations. GERTAK believes that its success is indicated by people's increased responsiveness to the issue, and their willingness to speak more freely about it. Victims are also invited to join the centre's support group, where women who have experienced similar types of violence share their stories, and encourage and support each other. This helps them to understand that they are not alone in their experiences. The monthly meetings of the support group are guided by Rifka's staff, and focus on empowering the women. For women in severe crisis, Rifka Annisa provides a safe living space in their women's shelter. Each victim staying in the shelter is allocated her own personal counselor. Unfortunately, limited space means that only 4 victims per year can be accommodated in the shelter. While the services provided by Rifka Annisa are relatively small in scale, feedback from clients demonstrates that they are greatly valued. #17 Raising Awareness
in a Rural Area The Forum Concerning Women's Problems (Forum Pemerhati Masalah Perempuan - FPMP) has been one of the pioneering women's organizations in South Sulawesi. With the assistance of eight other non-government organizations, FPMP has undertaken awareness raising and campaigns about general women's issues. FPMP activities have included demonstrations, press statements, counseling, and limited collection and analysis of data on victims of violence against women. Statements about violence against women issues have been sent to the local government, the governor, and the information department. An anti-VAW day was held in November 1998, with posters placed in public areas, and anti-VAW car stickers distributed. These activities aim to raise awareness of violence against women, and to encourage women victims to come to FPMP and seek assistance. One of the difficulties of working in a rural area was highlighted recently, when five women approached FPMP but were reluctant to tell their whole stories because of fear that other people would learn about their problems. Dated: 2Nov2001
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