200 women protest against violence

200 women protest against violence

Panca Nugraha, The Jakarta Post, Mataram

In observance of the International Day of the Eradication of
Violence against Women, which will fall on Nov. 25, more than 200
women held a demonstration against violence in the city on
Wednesday, demanding the government introduce laws to protect
Indonesian women both at home and overseas.

The demonstration attracted the public's attention as the
demonstrators, all women, marched in several main streets in the
city and stopped at the provincial legislative council compound.

The demonstrators, most of them victims of violence
perpetrated by their husbands, circulated brochures and stickers
condemning violence against women to motorists and bystanders on
the streets.

Endang, coordinator of the demonstration, said she and her
fellow demonstrators demanded the government introduce at least
two laws to protect women from violent actions and those working
overseas.

"The laws, which are badly needed to eradicate violence
against women in the country, should also stipulate harsh
sanctions against those carrying out violence against women," she
said.

Endang acknowledged the demonstration was held in response to
the rampant violence against women in rural areas in the
province.

"The high divorce rate in the province has a lot to do with
the rampant violence against women. Many wives have chosen
separation and divorce or left their husbands because they have
been unable to endure their husbands' violent actions.

"In observing the international day, we want all forms of
violence against women to be eradicated," she said.

Eighty-four-year-old Patrice Anne Williams, an Australian
citizen who has lived on Gili Meno Island in the province, said
she joined the demonstration to protest her neighbour's violent
actions against her.

"I am a victim of violence exerted by my French neighbor Jean
Marrie Wagneries on April 19, 2000," she said, adding that
Wagneries tortured her when she protested against him occupying
her land on the island without any permission.

She said she had reported the torture case to the local police
but so far no action had been taken against the suspect because
of the absence of witnesses.