A discussion titled "Women's Consultation the Face of Economic Inequality and Amplifies the Voice of the Community" in the City of Jayapura, Thursday (11-11-2021). - IST
Jayapura, Jubi – Activist and coordinator of Papuan women’s rights network TIKI, Fien Jarangga, said the gender inequality and violence experienced by Papuan women today was still the same compared to 2008. She said in a written statement following the discussion with a number of women activists held in Jayapura City on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
Jarangga said that in 2008, the National Commission on Violence against Women documented the testimonies of 200 Papuan women who were victims of violence. The stories have been published as a report entitled “Stop Sudah!” (Stop Already!).
However, 13 years after the report was made, there has been no improvement in the situation of gender inequality and violence against Papuan women. “From 1963 to 2009, the problem was the same. The situation has not changed. What has changed now is that many children are graduates,” said Jarangga.
According to Jarangga, the poverty and marginalization faced by Papuan women are varied. Papuan women lose access to the means of production (economy), education, health, and natural resources including forest, sea, and land.
Head of Institute for Assessment and Capacity Building (Lekat) at the Cenderawasih University’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Jackson Yumame, said that women, both in Papua and throughout Indonesia, were still a discriminated and marginalized group to date. Women find it difficult to get access to economy, health, and education.
“While in fact, women play an important role in the wider development context,“ Yumame said. “The nation’s success is determined by the economic success of women. The two things that can encourage [women’s economic success] are regulations and programs to strengthen women,” she continued.
Risma Umar of AKSI for gender, social and ecological justice said her party believed that sustainable life and a peaceful and prosperous condition for women could happen if Papua’s nature were preserved and managed properly.
“When nature is destroyed, humans and all ecosystems will be damaged. Women’s voices are still repressed in the midst of inequality and injustice. Papuan women also have the right to be free from suffering and poverty,” she said.
The discussion on Thursday was also attended by a number of women activists from the Keerom and Jayapura Regencies. They discussed support for the Papuan mamas’ initiative, as well as how to strengthen the women’s movement in Papua for change to occur.
The discussion resulted in 12 suggestions for change, including “return our land”, “stop limiting our rights”, “review palm oil policies”, and “stop illegal logging”. The discussion also suggested President Joko Widodo repair the damage of natural resources in Papua. All in all, the discussion encouraged Papuan women to support each other and speak up. (*)
Reporter: Timoteus Marten
Editor: Aryo Wisanggeni G
There have been ongoing threats and intimidation, not only against Koman but against her parents and family in Indonesia.
The Australia West Papua Association has written to Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, expressing concern about attacks targeting the family of Australian-based Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman.
Because of Koman’s role in defending West Papuan human rights activists and political prisoners, she has become a target of the Indonesian authorities. At one stage, they threatened to ask Interpol to issue a red notice against her, simply for raising awareness about the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua.
There have been ongoing threats and intimidation, not only against Koman but against her parents and family in Indonesia. These threats have escalated recently, with attacks on her parents’ home in Indonesia on October 24 and November 7.
Amnesty International reported that on November 7, “two unidentified men on a motorcycle threw three packages into the garage of the house of Veronica Koman’s parents in Jakarta”.
“At least two of the packages exploded, scattering bits of paper and red paint in the garage. The other package contained a typed message threatening to attack Veronica and her supporters.
“Around the same time, another package was left at the house of one of Veronica’s relatives. The package contained a chicken carcass and a message threatening that anyone who hides Veronica will meet the same fate as the chicken.”
On October 24, there was an arson attack outside the house of Koman’s parents. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director Usman Hamid described the recent attack as "unconscionable” and traumatising to Koman’s older parents.
"The authorities must immediately carry out a thorough, transparent, impartial and independent investigation of the incident and ensure the safety of Veronica Koman's parents.
AWPA spokesperson Joe Collins called on Payne to request that the Indonesian Government conduct an investigation into the attacks, and ensure that the police investigation is “impartial and subject to independent oversight”.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Commander of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. Ignatius Yogo Triyono supports a dialogue approach to be taken in order to resolve the conflict in Papua. To date, the government is still applying a military approach in the easternmost province.
Armed conflicts in Papua continued to occur in recent months. Not only in Intan Jaya, but violence cases also happened in other districts such as Kiwirok, Pegunungan Bintang Regency.
“I agree wholeheartedly. The root of the problem in Papua is not security, but rather welfare,” said Yogo in an interview with Tempo Magazine's Saturday (Nov 13) edition.
According to him, the conflicts are becoming more frequent since armed criminal groups or KKB want to show their presence in the province. He argued that what happened recently was not a riot, but a security disturbance.
Yogo said the dialogue approach could be applied in Papua, as long as it is put inside the frame of peace and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
“We are also tired of gunfights because our soldiers fall victims, too, not only the armed criminal groups,” said Yogo.
Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
Read: TNI, Health Center Provide Health Service for Papua Children
EGI ADYATAMA
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.