Campaign in Bengkulu to Fight Violence Against Women Through Mindset Changing

Coinciding with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Cahaya Perempuan WCC and Women’s Grassroots Forum (FKPAR) of Bengkulu province organised a series of activities to combat women’s impoverishment which cause sexual violence and child marriage in Bengkulu province.

The event conducted from 24^th to 25^th November entitled ‘Protecting Women from Sexual Violence and Child Marriage’. The event aims to build mutual understanding on the importance of women’s collective action at the grassroots level to overcome women’s impoverishment.

Some of the agendas were to introduce various types of FKPAR’s assisted groups, their role and functions and also give insights on sexual and reproductive health rights (HKSR) issues. Furthermore, it also aims to raise FKPAR’s awareness on local policies on women sexual and reproductive health and rights protection program.

In his speech, Deputy Governor of Bengkulu, dr. drh. H. Rohidin Mersyah, M.MA delivered important points to overcome women impoverishment.

“We are not only talking ways to lift women out of poverty. We want people to understand the importance of social justice. This could bring more opportunities for women to increase their social status,” he said.

Furthermore, he said gender is not a western notion, it is not conflicted with religion, particularly Islam and we should be open-minded in perceiving and understanding gender issues.

Rohidin added that men’s involvements in achieving the agenda are needed. He elaborated that men need to understand their role in national development efforts so that all parties can work together to remove barriers in patriarchal culture and reduce violence against women. He emphasised that the whole process should begin at home.

The two-day event was filled with the launch of women’s independent enterprises from Seluma district and Bengkulu city, panel discussion supported by City Health Department of Bengkulu, Community Empowerment Board and Village Government (BPMPD), Women Empowerment and Child Protection (BPPA) and Cahaya Perempuan WCC. Festive spectacles such as traditional customs carnival and Cahaya Perempuan WCC’s gratitude ceremony for their 17^th anniversary were also conducted to entertain the audiences.

Reported by: Tety Sumeri (Cahaya Perempuan WCC)