Alya Sabira’s Incredible Story of Advocating for Gender Equality: From Caring to Empowering

Alya Sabira, Gender Youth Activist for UN Women Indonesia

Feminist Society Indonesia — Witnessing the heartbreaking reality where many girls in her society became victims of sexual violence, forced early marriages, and could not go to school due to the culture that prevents them to get higher education has motivated Alya Sabira — a UN Women national gender youth activist, to become concerned about advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

Apart from becoming a gender youth activist for UN Women Indonesia, she is also the founder of a youth movement called Speak Out Youth (SOY).

Her activism on gender equality issues began when she was 14 years old. At that time, she was joining a program under Plan International Indonesia called Forum Anak Desa. Through this program, she had many opportunities to learn and improve her activism. She attended seminars with people in the community (Sukabumi), talked to stakeholders, attended Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Daerah (RPJMD) meetings, and worked with many government agencies.

As a young woman who participated in that program, she faced so many challenges while advocating those issues, one of which was gender inequality, where she used to be underestimated because she is a woman. So, when she had the chance to do advocacy, she would do her best and give her participation meaningfully instead of being present as a decoration. At the end of the program, she was able to advocate for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prevent child marriage to the city Mayor of Sukabumi.

When the program of Forum Anak Desa ended, she thought that her advocacy should not stop; she still needed to do something. As a result, in 2021, she asked some of her classmates to establish Speak Out Youth (SOY) by starting a campaign on Instagram regarding “Stop Sexual Violence”. As the days went by, it became a bigger platform for people. It was started in Sukabumi, and now they have SOY Bandung and SOY Jakarta. They currently have around 500 volunteers and have contributed many impactful programs to their surroundings.

At SOY, they have 3 missions that they call 3 As (Awareness, Action, Advocacy). In terms of awareness, they want to set SOY as a medium where everyone can raise their awareness about any kind of issues in their surroundings and try to overcome them. In terms of Action, it is a manifestation of the awareness they have by starting to do small things such as making campaigns and seeking funding. Through this, they are able to gain a lot of funding from different organizations, foreign aid, and from government agencies. They currently have their regular donors from outside of the country, such as Europe, America, Australia, etc. After having awareness and action, they have to do something bigger as the commitment of advocacy, such as challenging the status quo and dealing with the stakeholders in the decision-making process.

With the intention to make her advocacy bigger, she decided to apply for the UN Women national gender youth activist in 2024. She ultimately got selected as one of the sixth national youth activists, where each of the activists was placed in a different kind of sector. She was placed under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) sector, where she is responsible for advocating for young women on various issues such as climate change, humanitarian issues, and everything that comes to women’s security.

You can also read: Ikrar’s Inspirational Story: Making Impacts through Education

Working with the UN Women Indonesia, she feels that her voice is heard as well as feels fully involved. In 2024, she helped the UN Women Indonesia to co-organize the discussion for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA+30), which was going to be a recommendation for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). She was fully involved from the beginning to the end of the program; she made the presentation, she invited the young people, and she even participated in the selection process.

She felt that this opportunity was something bigger for her advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights issues, as the recommendation about BPfA+30 would be brought to the regional review, and from that, it would be brought to CSW.

Alya is a true portrayal of a young woman who cares about her neighborhood and tries to take action to empower society, especially women. She recognizes that young people really come into play in being part of the advocacy and activism, even if it is just a small thing, such as telling friends about the importance of gender equality or simply raising awareness about what is happening in the community.

She believes that advocacy and activism are not always about going to the streets and protesting. Sometimes, we can do advocacy by starting with the things that we are passionate about. For instance, if we want to advocate for the environmental issues and we love music, we can write songs about helping the planet; if we are advocating for gender equality and we have an interest in movie, we can make a short movie about gender equality; or if we love social media, love making content, we can also do advocacy by making content and share in our social media.

However, she also realizes that advocacy is a long journey; hence, it could be better for us to find our ally when doing advocacy. By having partners, it can be much easier for us to make movements in our surroundings since we have them to collaborate together.

Alya will always stand up for gender equality and fight for women’s rights since women are not safe. Their rights are highly vulnerable to being neglected. She hopes there will be more people who are aware of gender equality and women’s rights, as it is one of the critical targets in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Indonesia should achieve in 2030.

Feminist Society Indonesia and Speak Out Youth also have the same deal regarding advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights issues. In the future, we would like to collaborate if there is a program that allows for collaboration. We believe that collaboration and synergy are the keys to achieve our goals in advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

You can contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

LinkedIn               : Feminist Society Indonesia

Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

Women Rights is a Human Rights: A Law Comparative Study

 Shafiyah Rahmah

Women's Protection System in Indonesia and Malaysia

Feminist Society Indonesia — Article 1 of UDHR said that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. In this context, humans in the world essentially have the same dignity without any discrimination or exceptions. Basically, women's rights are the same as men's rights^; women have the same rights as a man gets his rights. But lately, many gaps have been received and experienced by women in the world in achieving their rights.

According to KOMNAS Perempuan, there are approximately 15 types of violence received by women in observations with a period of 15 years (1998-2013). As stated in the Press Release: Report on the Synergy of the Violence Against Women Database in 2023, released on 12 August 2024, this report shows that the total cases of violence against women based on data from the three institutions (Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, National Commission on Violence against Women, and Forum Pengada Layanan) have reached 34. 682 by 2023, with Simfoni PPA recording 26,161 cases, Sintas Puan Komnas Perempuan recording 3,303 cases, and Titian Perempuan FPL recording 5,218 cases in Indonesia, with different age ranges of sexual violence victims.

In Malaysia, based on data from Polis Diraja Malaysia, there were 21,366 cases of crime throughout 2017 with a detailed case of 14,128 robberies, then cases of injury to others as many as 5,024 and followed by rape cases as many as 1,835 cases. And most victims are girls or women, as well as young women. Internationally, fundamental rights for women are regulated in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The UDHR also regulates the fundamental rights of human beings, but the declaration does not distinguish between the rights of women and men; all human beings have the same rights and status in achieving their basic rights as long as they live in the world.

A huge barrier in combating violence against women, especially domestic violence, is that often victims feel trapped in a situation of fear and stigma. Many women do not report the violence they experience for fear of retaliation, shame, or lack of social support. In most cases, deep-seated cultural norms and patriarchal views make matters worse, making it difficult for women to feel as though the violence they receive is normal or that they don't have the power to fight back. In addition, a lack of awareness about their rights and a lack of access to legal protection mechanisms are complicating factors that further exacerbate this situation. For this reason, it is important to understand how countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia are addressing this issue through the enforcement of existing laws, as well as how the legal systems in both countries seek to provide better protection for women victims of violence.

These two countries certainly have different legal approaches in handling cases of violence against women, one of which is because these two countries have different legal systems. Malaysia is a Commonwealth nation and adheres to the Common Law legal system, while Indonesia adheres to the Civil Law system because it adopted the Dutch legal system. In a Common Law system, such as Malaysia's, judges have an important role in developing the law through precedent and interpretation of previous cases. In contrast, in a Civil Law system, such as Indonesia's, the law is largely determined by written statutes and comprehensive legal codes. This difference affects how the law is applied and interpreted in cases of violence against women in both countries.

In other words, Malaysia is pluralistic in its legal system, integrating Common Law, Sharia law, and customary legal traditions. Meanwhile, Indonesia also has a pluralistic legal system that integrates Civil Law, Islamic law, and customary legal traditions. These differences affect how cases of violence against women are dealt with, especially in the context of customary law and Sharia law applicable in each country. These legal system differences also affect the structure of the judiciary in both countries. Malaysia has a separate judicial system between civil courts and Sharia courts, while Indonesia has an integrated judicial system with religious courts handling certain matters in accordance with Islamic law. These differences affect access and legal procedures for victims of violence against women in both countries.

You can also read: Questioning the Existence of Women: The Impact of Ideological, Cultural, and Socio-Economic Structural Hegemony

Indonesia already has regulations governing violence against women. Among them is the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence (UU PKDRT), Undang-Undang No. 23 of 2004, which protects women from physical, psychological, sexual violence, and neglect within the scope of the household. Then the Law on Sexual Violence (UU TPKS), which was passed in 2022, this law expands the scope of legally recognized sexual violence, including sexual harassment and exploitation. The Criminal Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana) and KUHAP (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Acara Pidana) provide for general criminalization of violence, although not always specific to gender-based violence. In the Law Enforcement Mechanism in Indonesia, there are aid organizations that focus on handling and helping to resolve cases of violence against women. Among them are: Komnas Perempuan as an independent institution that monitors, reports, and provides recommendations in cases of violence against women. Integrated Services was established under the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA), which includes an integrated service center (P2TP2A) for victims of violence.

Whereas Malaysia, in its legal framework, has a number of regulations regarding sexual violence, including: Domestic Violence Act (DVA) 1994, which provides protection to victims of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and economic protection. Penal Code which regulates sexual violence, including rape, sexual harassment, and child abuse. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 which provides protection against sexual harassment in the workplace and public spaces. Law enforcement mechanisms in Malaysia include One-Stop Crisis Centers (OSCC) Service Centers in government hospitals to treat victims of gender-based violence with medical, legal, and psychosocial services. The role of Women's Aid Organization (WAO) is a non-governmental organization that supports victims of violence and pushes for policy reform.

Indonesia and Malaysia both face the same challenges in the legal response to cases of sexual violence against women, including a deep-rooted patriarchal culture and victim-blaming social stigma. This discourages victims from reporting for fear of stigmatization or retaliation.

In particular, the low level of public awareness and education about women's rights and gender-based violence hampers the process of reporting and handling cases. Limited infrastructure and resources, such as facilities, trained labor, and funding, are also obstacles to providing maximum services for victims. Inconsistent law enforcement, including slow investigations and inequitable sentencing, as well as a lack of technology integration in reporting and data collection, exacerbate the situation. The different legal systems between the two countries also affect their approach to handling sexual violence cases. Malaysia, with its Common Law system, relies on case precedents and judicial decisions as an important foundation in law enforcement. However, public trials that still use the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) make it difficult for victims to prove their case with the principle of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ adopted, as well as lacking the privacy and comfort of victims in court.

On the other hand, Indonesia applies the Civil Law system, which is oriented towards written laws. With the passing of the Sexual Violence Crime Law in 2022, Indonesia attempted to improve its handling of sexual violence cases. However, its implementation still faces major challenges, including bureaucratic obstacles and corruption that often slow down the legal process. In addition, the role of non-governmental organizations in supporting victims differs between the two countries. In Malaysia, organizations such as the Women's Aid Organization (WAO) are active in supporting victims and pushing for policy reform. While in Indonesia, institutions such as Komnas Perempuan and the Integrated Service Centre for Women and Children Empowerment (P2TP2A) exist, but their presence is often uneven, especially in remote areas.

Local religious and cultural influences also play a significant role. In Malaysia, Sharia law plays an important role, sometimes influencing the resolution of sexual violence cases against Muslim women. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, customary law is often an obstacle because it favors family settlements over formal legal sanctions. To face this challenge, all parties need to work together to strengthen the protection of women victims of sexual violence. Governments of both countries should commit to improving enforcement of strict and victim-sensitive laws, providing more resources, and expanding access to support services. Communities also have an important role to play in combating victim-blaming social stigma and supporting survivors to speak out and seek justice. With cross-sector collaboration, we can create an environment that is safer, more inclusive and respectful of women's human rights. Let's move together to make justice and protection for women a top priority.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussions about feminism, join with Feminist Society Indonesia. Feminist Society Indonesia aims to promote gender equality and women’s rights activism through education and advocacy. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

LinkedIn               : Feminist Society Indonesia

Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

Sigit Kamiseno. 2023. Analisis Perbandingan Sistem Hukum Pidana di Indonesia dengan Malaysia terhadap Kejahatan Tindak Pidana Korupsi. Amandemen: Jurnal Ilmu pertahanan, Politik dan Hukum Indonesia. Volume 1. Number 1. https://doi.org/10.62383/amandemen.v1i1.518.

Graciela N. Lektonpessy and Irfa Ronaybod. 2024. Perbandingan Sistem Peradilan Pidana antara Indonesia dan Malaysia terhadap Kekerasan Seksual. Jurnal Masalah-Masalah Hukum. Volume 11. Number 4. https://doi.org/10.2674/novum.v1i1.60382.

Lala A. Salsabila, Siti A. Nasution, Febby O. Br. Tarigan, and Sri Hadiningrum. 2024. Studi Perbandingan Sistem Peradilan Indonesia dan Malaysia. Doktrin: Jurnal Dunia Ilmu Hukum dan Politik. Volume 2. Number 2. https://doi.org/10.59581/doktrin.v2i2.2515.

Suhairi Sharil and A’DAWIYAH ISMAIL. 2020. Causes of Violence toward Women in Public Places: Research in Kuala Lumpur.  Jurnal Islam dan Masyarakat Kontemporari. Volume 21. Number 1. https://doi.org/10.37231/jimk.2020.21.1.475.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights/universal-declaration/translations/english.

https://www.amnesty.id/referensi-ham/amnestypedia/hak-perempuan-dan-kesetaraan-gender/03/2021/.

https://komnasperempuan.go.id/siaran-pers-detail/siaran-pers-gerak-bersama-dalam-data-laporan-sinergi-database-kekerasan-terhadap-perempuan-tahun-2023.

https://mmc.tirto.id/doc/2019/11/18/15%20BTK%20KEKERASAN%20SEKSUAL.pdf.

https://waqafilmunusantara.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ARTICLE-ILMIAH-KELOMPOK.pdf.

 

The Importance of Women’s Participation in Politics

 

Women’s participation in politics is essential for building more just and equitable societies. It is to close the gap between men and women through political participation.  Let’s delve into why this matters:

1.       Representation Matter

Women constitute half of the world’s population, yet they hold only 25% of seats in national parliaments. Dismantling these barriers is crucial for achieving gender equality and creating more inclusive societies.

2.       Peace and Stability

Higher levels of women’s political participation are associated with a lower risk of civil war and a reduced likelihood of state-perpetrated political violence. When women are elected to political offices, they are more likely to be held accountable by their constituencies, leading to responsive and transparent governance.

3.       Unique Perspectives

Lived experiences give women unique perspectives on gendered issues such as domestic violence, reproductive rights, and equal pay. Their presence in leadership positions helps break down stereotypes and change social norms regarding female leaders.

4.       UNDP’s Efforts

The African Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) Fellowship, a partnership between the African Union Commission and UNDP, equips young African women leaders with the skills to advance the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. However, addressing challenges to women’s political participation worldwide is critical. UNDP’s work in this area spans six broad areas: women’s participation in elections, parliaments, civic life, public administration, peacebuilding and peace processes, and politics and the media.

In summary, women’s active involvement in politics is not just about numbers; it’s about creating a more peaceful, just, and equitable world.

Therefore, encouraging more women to run for office is a vital step toward achieving gender parity in political representation. Here are some strategies to promote women’s participation:

1.       Education and Awareness

-          Educate young girls and women about the importance of political leadership. Highlight the impact they can make by participating in decision-making processes.

-          Raise awareness about the barriers women face in politics, such as gender bias, stereotypes, and lack of confidence.

2.       Mentorship and Role Models

-          Establish mentorship programs where experienced female politicians guide aspiring women leaders. Mentorship provides valuable insights and boosts confidence.

-          Highlight successful women who have excelled in politics. Role models inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

3.       Financial Support

-          Provide financial assistance to women running for office. Campaigns can be expensive, and lack of funds often discourages potential candidates.

-          Create funding mechanisms specifically for women candidates, including grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans.

4.       Legal Reforms

-          Advocate for legal changes that promote gender equality in politics. This includes measures like quotas for women’s representation.

-          Ensure equal access to political positions by removing legal barriers and discriminatory practices.

5.       Training and Capacity Building

-          Offer training programs on leadership, public speaking, policy development, and campaign management.

-          Build women’s skills to navigate the political landscape effectively. It definitely can be done in multiple ways.

 

If you are interested in issues surroundings gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let’s join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in three key aspects of gender equality and women’s rights: Law, Policy, and Advocacy through the provision of digital-based information. To get related articles, visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram             : @feministsociety.id

Email                   : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/womens-political-participation-peaceful-world/

https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/focus-areas/governance/political-participation-of-women

https://womendeliver.org/why-women-in-politics/

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/why-we-need-more-women-in-politics

https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures