Women in Jakarta gathered on Sunday to protest against public official’s comments suggesting women are to blame for sexual assault.
On Sunday September 18, women gathered in the Bundaran Hotel in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia, to protest against the remark by Governor Fauzi Wibowo, also known as Foke, suggesting that women’s clothing could be seen as “inviting” to men.
“Wear sensible clothes; don’t wear ‘inviting’ clothes. You can imagine, if [a woman] wears short skirt and sits next to the driver, it could be ‘inviting,’” Fauzi Wibowo recently remarked, although he later apologised after his comments received a great deal of criticism.
Women Group Against Violence are a group of women who protested yesterday against the comments by holding banners and posters with slogans such as: “My rock mini, my right, Foke you.”
These protests follow the ‘Slutwalks’ that have taken place all over the world since April this year, in cities such as Ottawa, New York and London. Women gathered to fight for their right to wear what they want, without being blamed or judged for their appearance. These protests arose after a comment was made by a Canadian police officer, who claimed: “Women should avoid dressing like sluts.”
The National Commission on Violence Against Women in Indonesia stated that 41 cases of rape in Jakarta have been reported so far this year, up until September 2011, with incidents mainly occurring on public transportation.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women is a non profit organisation for women in Indonesia that monitors female human rights violations.
By Bethan Hâf Marsh
[Image courtesy of lokha]
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