My introduction to the Caring Women's Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Peduli) in Ambon came when I met Sister Brigitta and Margaretha Hendriks. The gentle voice and manner of Sister Brigitta sometimes hid her firm commitment to faith and to the work of peace among the people of Ambon. However, once she began to tell her story, her character was clear.

Olivia Masih White

Margaretha Hendriks, whose home was burned to the ground during one of the times of violence, also showed the strength that derived from her Christian conviction.

Both of these women were firmly committed to working in an interfaith approach, joining with Muslim women, some of whom were also part of the team from Ambon that came to the Jakarta consultation. In the face of violence, these women have worked to restore peace between Muslims and Christians, holding interfaith meetings in spite of the danger involved. Posinda Titaley, a member of the WARC executive committee from Ambon, is also part of the movement.

The same spirit was apparent when we visited the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan). The commission grew out of the broad-based reaction to three days of bloody violence and murder in May 1998. An international humanitarian team led by Hungarians disclosed the horror of those days in May, which included the intentional rape of Chinese-Indonesian women. When the story surfaced, there was a public outcry for justice.

The first to respond were ordinary women, wives and mothers. These women from churches, mosques, and temples felt called to do whatever they could to restore peace and harmony in Indonesia. They are in the forefront of educating the public, raising consciousness, and collecting money to help the victims.

women together

The aims of the commission are to promote public understanding of all forms of violence against women; improve prevention of violence against women; create a conducive environment for the elimination of violence against women; and defend their human rights.

Its activities are directed towards empowering women and society in general, strengthening the capacities of organizations defending women against violence, and influencing the government to take the steps needed to create a conducive environment for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

The commission is involved in policy and legal reform, public awareness and public education. We heard stories of violence and injustice against women, but we also witnessed the commitment and passion of many who are determined to change the situation by standing in solidarity with women in need. What impressed me most was the inclusive nature of the organization. It is interfaith, intergenerational, and pluralistic. The commissioners on the board include men and women, physicians, lawyers and concerned citizens. When we visited the commission, we were reminded of the Decade to Overcome Violence and were thankful for this work by the women of Indonesia.

Olivia Masih White, United Church of Christ