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'No more delays': Activists pin hopes on passing of sexual violence bill
In a plenary meeting on Thursday, the House of Representatives and the government agreed to include the bill on this year’s National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) list after removing it from last year’s.
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Moment of silence: A women’s group activist arranges shoes during the event Shoes in Silence, held to observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, outside the House of Representatives on Nov. 25, 2020. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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omen’s rights activists expressed their wish for 2021 to be the year when the sexual violence eradication bill (RUU PKS) will finally be passed after years-long deliberations.
In a plenary meeting on Thursday, the House of Representatives and the government agreed to include the bill on this year’s National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) list after removing it from last year’s.
Dian Novita from the Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women’s Association For Justice (LBH APIK) — one of the few leading organizations in Indonesia that focus on women's rights advocacy, including for victims of violence — said the inclusion of the bill in this year’s Prolegnas was good news.
“We’ve been disappointed by the policymakers multiple times as they have failed to discuss this bill, including the substantial level of its issues," Dian told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. "So, no more delays this year. Women’s rights activists, as well as other prodemocracy activists, must now monitor the progress [of the bill] until it is passed."
Even though they had to start from scratch, Dian went on to say, activists should take this opportunity as a second chance to improve the campaign strategies for the bill. She also emphasized that it was important to seek support from other civil movements.
“This bill exists for the public’s benefit. We should invite other people to join our movement; stop turning this bill into an exclusive issue.”
Read also: Public outcry as House plans to delay sexual violence bill – again
