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Concerted effort needed to eliminate violence against women in RI
Speak up!: Activists stage a peaceful rally to call for action to end violence against women
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Speak up!: Activists stage a peaceful rally to call for action to end violence against women. (Tempo) (Tempo)
Speak up!: Activists stage a peaceful rally to call for action to end violence against women. (Tempo)
The elimination of violence against women is an urgent matter as UN research shows that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence, often at the hands of their intimate partners, an ambassador has said.
'We all have to make clear that violence against women is unacceptable. Violence against women is not a cultural and private matter. This is a public matter,' US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake said on Tuesday.
He was speaking during an event on Tuesday to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is commemorated on Nov. 25 each year. The Tuesday event, held by the US Embassy at its cultural center in Jakarta, @america, featured a discussion on the elimination of violence against women and a screening of documentary movie From Fear to Freedom.
Directed by Deb Bergeron, the film depicts that violence against women, as the most pervasive human rights violation on earth, is present in every country, culture, religion and social class. Despite facing many challenges, the 40-minute film also shows that women around the globe have joined forces to advocate for new laws and to develop successful strategies to eradicate gender-based violence.
'We can work to change the policy and law and to change the awareness and education on this issue. It is a win-win solution. When women succeed, the community succeeds,' Blake said.
Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise said that based on mapping by the ministry, the number of gender-based violence cases in Indonesia was still high, especially regarding sexual violence against children.
'Today, we still see big discrimination against women in areas across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua. Our path toward gender equality is still long, but I hope that we will get there if we all can work together to achieve our goal,' said Yohana.
UN Women activist Justina Rostiawati said the organization was collaborating with the Jakarta administration to develop Jakarta as a safe city as part of its smart city project.
'Through the He for She Campaign, we want to encourage men to take part in campaigning for awareness among other men to eliminate violence against women,' said Justina.
National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) member Nina Nurmila highlighted the importance of speaking up and the need to break the cycle of violence against women. 'Silence is not a solution. This problem should be everybody's concern. It is time to act and be the change you want to be,' said Nina. (ebf)(+)
