PKB Launches National Anti-Sexual Violence Movement to Ensure Pesantren Become Safe Spaces

Jakarta – The National Awakening Party (PKB) will hold a National Pesantren Meeting themed as an anti-sexual violence movement in pesantren on 18-19 May 2026 in Jakarta.

The event will be attended by more than 250 pesantren caretakers from various regions in Indonesia.

The Chair of the National Pesantren Meeting Committee, Nihayatul Wafiroh, stated that the forum is being held in response to the increasing cases of sexual violence occurring in several educational institutions, including pesantren.

“We are deeply concerned when we hear of female students who have become victims of sexual violence in various regions. From cases in Pati, Jepara, Bogor, to the most recent in Mesuji which triggered public anger. Incidents like this must not happen again,” said Nihayatul during a pre-National Pesantren Meeting press conference at the PKB DPP Office, Friday, 15 May 2026.

She explained that the proliferation of sexual violence cases serves as a serious alarm that must be addressed collectively by all elements of the nation, particularly in the pesantren environment as institutions of moral and religious education.

“We see issues that need to be addressed together. All parties need to join hands to stop all forms of violence, especially in the pesantren environment,” she said.

PKB aims to provide a space for dialogue and national consolidation among pesantren caretakers to formulate concrete steps in preventing and handling sexual violence in religious-based educational environments.

“We want to ensure that pesantren remain safe, comfortable, and dignified places for students,” she stated.

She explained that there are two main objectives of the event. First, as a space for collective reflection and evaluation for all pesantren elements. Second, to produce concrete recommendations for policymakers to strengthen the student protection system.

“We hope this forum can give birth to real steps and implementable recommendations so that sexual violence cases do not continue to recur,” she added.

In the forum, PKB will also involve several national stakeholders, including the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and the Majelis Masyayikh.