United & Empowered Women

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd.

Women are human, and women's rights are human rights. Human rights apply universally to everyone, all are entitled to the protection of their rights and freedoms. Women have equal rights and opportunities with other genders. It is very necessary to have a special struggle for women's rights because of many violations of rights and gaps in opportunities experienced by women and even detrimental to women, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, lack of access to education, and so on. For hundreds of years, the women's rights movement has campaigned to abolish rules, stigmatized behavior, and traditions that are not in favor of women. Until now, the campaign to fight for women's rights continues to be echoed, in this case, Stube HEMAT Multiplication Program in Sumba, introduce and campaign for women's rights to students and the women's community.

An interesting discussion was held at the GKS Karunggu church building, together with the Women's Commission of GKS Karunggu with Rev. Dr. Irene Umbu Lolo, M.Th, a lecturer at STT GKS and women's activist (Monday, 12/09/2022). She conveyed that the violation of women's rights that often occurred was gender-based violence, that occurred based on gender identity that resulted in physical suffering in the form of domestic violence, rape, unwanted pregnancies, and miscarriages. Psychological suffering causes depression, fear, stress disorders, and the emergence of suicidal thoughts. On that occasion, Rev. Irene emphasized that everyone never be silenced, do not be afraid to speak up if violence occurs, because each of us has the right to live in peace. She shared her experience in advocating for a woman as a victim of violence from her husband for a long time, even doing everything to kill her. The violence experienced by the wife is not only physical but also psychological. She suffered much, that she decided to speak, and continued to receive assistance until she regained her right, namely the right to live in a peaceful and happy life.

Alfin Lestari, an activist, asked, “Women who are victims of gender injustice sometimes feel comfortable with their situation and put themselves to the unfair behavior they get. What actions can be taken so those in that situation dare to speak up to fight for their rights?”  Rev. Irene responded that, first, women must understand their rights. Women have the right to live and get a decent life. Women have the right to be free, women have the right to be happy, women have the right to be physically and mentally healthy, and women have the right to still look beautiful and elegant. When women are married, they often forget to take care of themselves because they take care only their husbands, children, and family. Usually, when a woman goes to church or anywhere else, her husband and children look neat, but she even forgot to comb her hair. The participants responded by laughing loudly.

In addition, not a few women do not know their rights. If women are fully aware of their rights to life, they will not continue to shackle themselves in injustice situations. A great woman is a woman who can fight for her rights amid her family and environment. Women also have the right to socialize, if women often meet and gather, then women will be empowered again because they will strengthen each other, join hands, build a strong brotherhood, and build solidarity.

At the end of the discussion, Rev. Irene appreciates the spirit of the Women's Commission to continue to organize through women's weaving groups which have been running for about two years and have succeeded in equipping skills to women. ***