Munir, women's rights campaigner

A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

To commemorate International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 and Human Rights Day on Jakarta Post is publishing a special report on the late human rights campaigner, Munir. The report includes reference to a 16-day campaign on the ending of violence against women, organized by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and a profile of Suciwati, a labor activist and Munir's wife.

The death of human rights campaigner Munir, who was poisoned during his trip to the Netherlands two months ago, has brought grief to many, including those in the women's movement.

"Munir taught me how to talk. I was able to speak to Wiranto," Toeti Koto, the mother of missing activist Yani Afri, said in the launching of the 16-day campaign to end violence against women.

Munir, cofounder and first chairman of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), accompanied the mothers of missing activists in meetings with state officials, including Wiranto, the former chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Yani Afri went missing after a group of people backed by the TNI attacked the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta on July 27, 1996.

"I already considered Munir my son. For me, the death of Munir was like losing my son again. I hope that the people who killed Munir are severely punished," the 54-year-old Toeti said in tears.

Although Munir never claimed that his efforts were intended to protect women's rights, many women activists viewed the slain campaigner as a champion of women's rights.

Chairperson of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Kamala Chandrakirana said Munir had given the mothers a chance to be actively involved in seeking their missing children.

"Munir could be considered a supporter of women's rights as he included women's experiences in his advocacy. The women's experience is an important part of advocacy for women's rights," Kamala said.

She said although the missing activists were mostly men, the mothers suffered most.

She revealed Munir was among few activists who condemned violence against women, such as rape, in conflict areas in Aceh and East Timor which was allegedly conducted by armed forces officers.

Another woman activist and friend of Munir, Poengky, revealed that Munir had once asked her to study gender equality before she decided to get involved in human rights advocacy.

"Munir was the one who introduced me to the importance of gender issues in the advocacy of human rights," Poengky remembered.

Munir's gender perspective was not only seen in public, but also applied in his domestic situation.

According to his widow, Suciwati, Munir often did household chores such washing clothes and dishes.

"He often allowed me to go out. He handled the domestic work when I got bored," Suciwati, the mother of two, said at the launch of the campaign.

Kamala said Munir applied the principles of gender equality in his public and domestic life by listening to women and involving women's experiences.

Munir had struggled against violence which is suffered mostly by women, she said.

According to Komnas Perempuan, violence against women has increased in recent years.

The commission data showed that in 2003, the number of cases of violence against women increased to nearly 6,000 from about 5,163 in 2002. In 2001, there were about 3,000 cases reported.

"That's why we dedicated this campaign to our friend, Munir," Kamala said in the ceremony.