H

undreds of women activists urged local authorities to protect women and children in Bali as the year saw an increase in the number of incidents of violence against them.

The women commemorated National Mother’s Day, which falls today (Dec.22), at the Bali Legislative Council building.

Spreading a large banner reading “I Love You, Yes We Can,” the activists said it was time for all stakeholders in Balinese society to end violence against women and children.

Luh Putu Anggraeni from the Mitra Kasih Foundation said there should be clear regulations to protect women and children.

Participating organizations included Bali Sruti, the Mitra Kasih Foundation, the Bali Legal Aid Institute and the Bali Police.

The Bali Police said 54 percent of the reports it received between 2007 and 2010 were about domestic violence.

The police also reported 125 cases of violence against children in 2010, compared to 122 cases the previous year. These included child rape (40 percent), physical abuse and child molestation.

Bali councilor Ni Made Sumiati said it was regrettable that only 9 percent of the council seats were occupied by women. “Women councilors tend to pay closer attention to women’s and children’s issues. We will soon issue a bylaw to protect women and children,” she said.

The role of the woman in patriarchal Balinese society has traditionally been very weak.

Women become part of their husbands’ families when they get married. In the past, a Balinese woman would not be entitled to inherit her husband’s property or take custody of their children.

Udayana University customary law professor I Wayan Windia confirmed that the centuries-old tradition was being revised through the issuance of new laws to protect women’s rights both in their families and husbands’ families.

The Grand Council of Customary Villages (MUDP), a powerful body in Balinese society, made a gigantic breakthrough in the island’s patriarchal customary laws by openly acknowledging the rights of women to inherit family property, their rights to custody of their children and their rights to obtain marital assets.

These decisions were announced during the recent meeting of the MUDP, which also discussed and revised outdated customary laws.

For hundreds of years, Balinese Hindu society adopted customary laws, which placed male heirs as guardians of their families’ assets. Under these laws, only male children inherited their parents’ tangible and intangible assets.

Traditionally, the oldest son became the patriarch of the family, overseeing everything including rituals and social affairs. Younger sons had reduced social and family responsibilities.

Daughters were not entitled to any of the families’ assets or the right to voice their aspirations. Balinese wives were also denied her husbands’ assets and custody of their children when their husbands died or if they were divorced.

In both family and society, Balinese women had to accept any decisions made by men.

In reality, very few Balinese recognize the new rules.