Indonesian Women’s Independence Festival: Independent Women, Disabilities and Marginalized Groups for Indonesia to Continue Moving Forward

Press Release

Commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day

Institut KAPAL Perempuan, KPS2K East Java, LPSDM West Nusa Tenggara, YKPM South Sulawesi, PEKA-PM East Nusa Tenggara, PBT Padang, BAKUMDIK Banten, Balisruti Bali, LBH Perempuan and Anak Morotai

Indonesian Women’s Independence Festival:

Independent Women, Disabilities and Marginalized Groups for Indonesia to Continue Moving Forward

On the 78th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence day in 2023, Gerak Bersama, GEDSI Watch and Sekolah Perempuan Nusantara working in 9 (nine) provinces in Indonesia have deep concerns about (1) the problem of violence against women which continues to increase every day despite of UU TPKS was born; (2) neglect of the rights of persons with disabilities, the discrimination and violence they experience; (3) violence that continues to occur due to differences in beliefs and the strengthening of conservatism values, without serious handling and; (4) social exclusion of groups because of their age, ethnicity, race, geographic region and sexuality.

All of these problems have had an impact on impoverishment and violations of citizens’ rights, especially the right to feel safe as citizens. This is a form of violation of the constitutional mandate, namely “Justice for All Indonesian People”. The Independence Anniversary theme “Continue to Move Forward for an Advanced Indonesia” will be a slogan that is difficult to achieve if half or even more of the Indonesian population with the above problems is ignored.

These concerns were responded to by Gerak Bersama, GEDSI Watch and Sekolah Perempuan working in South Sulawesi, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatra, Bali, Banten, North Maluku and DKI Jakarta by organizing Indonesian Women’s Independence Festival with the theme “Independent Women, Disabilities and Marginalized Groups for Indonesia to Continue Moving Forward”. The festival, which will be held from 9 to 24 August 2023, campaigns for all the concerns that have occurred and that have been fought for so far. In the midst of the festival, on August 17 2023, a red and white flag raising ceremony will be held simultaneously as a form of commitment to continue fighting for women, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups to become independent citizens.

The activities in the Indonesian Women’s Independence Festival are:    

• Semeru Merdeka Women’s Cultural March in Lumajang
• Declaration of Resilience for Women Supporting the Sexual Violence Victims in Gresik
• Parade, Minang Women’s Art Performance and Food Demonstration in Padang Pariaman
• Women’s Cultural March “No More Violence” in Serang
• Public Discussion on “Protect Vulnerable Groups from Sexual Violence” in Denpasar
• Open “A Day with the Elderly and Disabled” Service in East Lombok
• Festival of Local Food Processing for Climate Adaptation Change in North Lombok
• Leader Women’s Camp on Morotai Island
• Sekolah Perempuan’s Bazaar “1 Year Café Sipurennu” in Pangkajene Islands
• Women’s Arts Stage in Mamuju
• “Empowered Women” Cultural Street in Kupang

Contact Person:

• Institut KAPAL Perempuan: Budhis Utami (Institut KAPAL Perempuan Director), Phone number: 081310108334; Ulfa Kasim (Program Deputy Director), Phone number: 081287228617
• KPS2K East Jawa: Sinta, Phone number: 082111374666
• YKPM South Sulawesi: Ros, Phone number: 08114611011
• PBT West Sumatera: Mariyuna, Phone number: 085207839418
• LPSDM West Nusa Tenggara: Tulu’ul Fajriani, Phone number: 085333660021
• PEKA-PM East Nusa Tenggara, Kupang: Yerni Selly, Phone number: 081283506487
• Bali Sruti Denpasar: Andani Pertiwi, Phone number: 087762876070
• LBH Perempuan and Anak Morotai: Julyati, Phone number: 081243944629
• Bakumdik Banten: Ahmad Bhaidowi, Phone number: 081906161388
• Sekolah Perempuan Jakarta: Khusnul Khotimah, Phone number: 081381534135