Solution to rape

Solution to rape

During the commemoration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2001 the Women's Institute in Bandung revealed that women -- particularly in West Java -- are still the victims of acts of violence, most commonly rape. According to the chairperson of the Institute, Valentina Sagala, it is ironic, as Indonesia has actually ratified the UN Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1997 to be passed into law number 7/1984 (Republika, March 7, 2001).

The news under the heading Rape dominates acts of violence against women does deserve profound study in order that we might be able to see what lies behind it and how to solve it. In rape cases, we tend to ignore the role of women and men commonly become the scapegoat as they are easily lured. We do not see the national and social attitudes toward it, whereas the three are an interconnected.

There is an Islamic way of preventing rape. A devout Muslim woman would always demonstrate her belief, by covering the vital parts of the body and by donning head gear (Koran 24:31, 33:59). In addition, she should practices other Islamic laws relating to the male-female relationship. On the other hand, a pious man would always restrain himself from gazing at a woman (Koran 24:30) and channel his desire only toward his spouse or abstain from having sexual intercourse if he is unmarried.

An Islamic society should play an active role by implementing the Islamic motto to uphold what is right and condemn what is wrong and to always keep the members of society on the right path. They must seek ways to eliminate facilities engaging in immoral acts. Apart from that, the country should implement comprehensive Islamic laws so that people would think twice before they commit immoral acts.

To minimize or even to prevent any acts of violence, there is no other way but to integrate the three elements to create tranquility in the world and in the hereafter.

UMMU AZKIYA

Bandung