Government told to increase protection for women

Government told to increase protection for women

JAKARTA (JP): While dismissing the possibility of completely
preventing women from going out at night, the Women's Solidarity
for Human Rights (SP) on Thursday called on the government's
seriousness to provide safety for women traveling at night.

"The government should restore the people's safety, especially
women, who have activities at night," Nunuk Murniati, SP
coordinator, said in a written statement released to the press.

She was commenting on last week's case of the vicious rape of
twenty-three-year-old Mhr alias Ruth, in a Kotas (Koperasi Taksi
Sepakat) no. 154 with registration no. B 1714 MX.

The South Jakarta Police have arrested four men, identified as
Rusdi, Koming, Iwan and Suhadi.

Nunuk said the government should impose heavy punishment on
rapists.

She said the government should also strengthen its supervision
of taxi firms.

"The government should monitor the operational activities of
taxi firms, including their services to consumers and the
drivers' wages.

"The government must also take stern measures against any
violations committed by the taxi firms," said Nunuk.

She said last week's vicious rape occurred because the
government had neglected to seriously monitor the city's public
transportation.

"The government has so far ignored supervision on taxi
service. The government did not learn from experience that many
rape cases occurred in taxis in the past," she said.

On the other hand, Nunuk called on the taxi firms to improve
their services to customers.

She also called on the taxi firms to seriously follow up on
any passengers' complaints.

Nunuk said she disagreed with the calls that women should not
go out at night to avoid from raped.

"People should not blame such rape cases on the victims.

"They should instead reprimand the government, the party which
should be held responsible for the case," she said. (asa/imn)