Juli Hantoro, Jakarta – The director of the Jakarta Alimat Network (Indonesian Family Justice Movement), Maria Ulfah Anshor, says that opposition to the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) is ridden with the politicisation of religion to take advantage of the momentum of the elections.

Manado – In the lead up to International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, a number of organisations in Manado, North Sulawesi, have joined together in the Civil Society Coalition Against Sexual Violence (KMSAKS) to hold actions supporting the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS).

Jakarta – The Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno election campaign team (BPN) has admitted that three housewives in Karawang, West Java, who went door-to-door telling people that “the call to prayer would be banned and same-sex marriage would be allowed if Jokowi wins” are indeed election campaign volunteers.

Farrah AM/ADV – House of Representatives (DPR) Commission XI member Heri Gunawan from Prabowo Subianto’s Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) says that his party wants to focus on the protection and rehabilitation of sexual violence victims.

On February 20 the International Women’s Day Joint Committee alliance held an action at the Gajah Mada University (UGM) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta. The action was launched in response to developments in a case of sexual violence against a female UGM student known as Agni by fellow student HS in 2017.

Chen Toisuta, Ambon – Scores of student from the Student Struggle Centre for National Liberation (Pembebasan) and the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) have called on the public not to vote or golput in the legislative and presidential elections (pemilu) on April 17.

Padang – National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) chairperson Ahmad Taufan Damanik says that the move by the West Sumatra (Sumbar) provincial government to wage war on the deviant sexual behaviour of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people does not violate Human Rights (HAM).

Muhammad Ifdhal, Banda Aceh – Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRA) Commission VIII chairperson Ghufran Zainal Abidin says that Indonesia’s western-most province rejects the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) which is currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Devina Halim, Jakarta – National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas HAM) chairperson Azriana Manalu has revealed that the government has discarded as many as 100 articles from the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS). Komnas Perempuan is one of the initiators of the RUU PKS.

Jakarta – The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) says that opposition the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) has become a “hot potato” which is easy to manipulate in the lead up to the 2019 presidential election (pilpres).

Devina Halim, Jakarta – The Pro-Women’s National Legislation Program Network (JKP3) is calling on the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government to straighten out fake news or hoaxes about the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS).

Usman Hadi, Yogyakarta – Advocates and the legal team supporting a Gajah Mada University (UGM) student who was the victim of rape during a student community placement program (KKN) on Seram Island have objected to the use of the term “peaceful resolution” in an agreement reached between the perpetrator and the victim facilitated by the UGM unive

Kristian Erdianto, Jakarta – The Islamic based Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) has rejected the Draft law (RUU) on the Elimination of Sexual Violence.

Jakarta – Commemorating 90 years since the first Women’s Congress in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on December 22, 1928, activists have highlighted the problems facing women workers.

Ryan Dwiky Anggriawan, Jakarta – Civil society organisations held a march and protest action in Jakarta on Saturday December 8 calling on the House of Representatives (DPR) to immediately enact the Draft Law (RUU) on the Eradication of Sexual Violence.

Ristu Hanafi, Sleman – A protest by an alliance of student organisations calling themselves the Solidarity Action Alliance Against Sexual Violence at the Gajah Mada University (UGM) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on November 22 almost ended in chaos.

Fadiyah Alaidrus – The mayor of Padang, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, has led a declaration attended by thousands of people rejecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) in the West Sumatran city.

Jakarta – National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) chairperson Azriana R Manalu says that the government has “circumcised” at least 100 articles in the Draft Law (RUU) on the Elimination of Sexual Violence.

According to Manalu, the 100 articles that have been cut out contain the very “soul” of the RUU.

Jakarta – Although it was submitted 10 years ago, the Draft Law (RUU) on the Elimination of Sexual Violence has still not been enacted by the House of Representatives (DPR).

Protests against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups have taken place in a number of parts of the country. Why is it difficult for society to accept the presence of the LGBT community in a more intelligent way?