High hopes place on new commission for women's rights<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): High hopes were placed on the new National
\nCommission on Violence Against Women as speakers at a dialog on
\nThursday reported abuse by spouses and employers and prolonged
\ntrauma under military operations.<\/p>\n
Suraiya Kamaruzzaman, who works with victims of military
\noperations in Aceh, North Sumatra, hoped the commission would
\n"provide a support system to all women's organizations working
\nwith cases of violence."<\/p>\n
The executive director of the Flower Aceh organization also
\nhoped the commission would "provide protection for activists
\nworking with victims of violence".<\/p>\n
Another activist requesting anonymity said the most was being
\nmade of the opportunity under the "transitional government" to
\nexpose human rights violations. "We fear that a new government
\nmight not enable this kind of exposure," she said.<\/p>\n
Suraiya, who had led many in the packed audience to tears with
\nseveral examples of her suffering under the military's operations
\nin Aceh from 1989 to 1998, urged the commission to "exert strong
\npressure" to enable "the reinterpretation of laws that do not
\nprotect women".<\/p>\n
Commission member Nursyahbani Katjasungkana also highlighted
\nthe need to review interpretations of religious teachings, which
\nshe said had been abused by men to justify mistreatment against
\nwives.<\/p>\n
One of the speakers, Ade Latifa, presented a study on domestic
\nviolence in which 128 of 171 cases studied involved beating --
\none of 19 types of physical violence that husbands used against
\ntheir wives.<\/p>\n
A participant from Irian Jaya in the national dialog said she
\nwas thankful for the commission's establishment.<\/p>\n
"I hope that similar abuses in Irian Jaya can be disclosed,"
\nshe said. A representative of the Communication Forum for Loro
\nSae Women, also spoke of abuses against East Timorese, including
\nwives of detainees suspected of being guerrilla leaders.<\/p>\n
President B.J. Habibie issued a decree on the commission's
\nestablishment on Oct. 9. Its structure was outlined on Thursday
\nat the dialog.<\/p>\n
National Commission for Human Rights member and psychologist
\nSaparinah Sadli was named as the organization's chairwoman.
\nSociologist Kamala Chandrakirana, a member of the Society Against
\nViolence, was identified as secretary-general. The commission's
\ndeputies are Kuraisin Sumhadi, Rita Serena Kolibonso and Myra
\nDiarsi.<\/p>\n
The commission also issued a statement on Thursday saying:
\n"Sexual assaults toward women have emerged along with the
\nincrease of violence and has its roots in the failure of the
\npolitical, economic and social system to manage conflict."<\/p>\n
Reading the statement, Rita said that taboos and stereotypes
\nof women "silence women over the violence they experience, while
\ngender biases make the female victim accused of being guilty of
\nher own fate".<\/p>\n
"Up to now, the public has continued to feel disappointed and
\nhas considered the state and security forces unable to prevent
\nthe spread of various forms of violence in society." (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/high-hopes-place-on-new-commission-for-womens-rights-1447893297",
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