Anom Prihantoro, Jakarta – International Women’s Day (IWD), which was commemorated in Jakarta on Thursday, demanded equality for women in all spheres of life, including the workplace.
“Immediately ratify the draft law on protecting domestic workers and ILO [International Labour Organisation] convention 189”, said IWD action coordinator Jumisih citing one of the demands raised at a protest action in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) in South Jakarta.
Jumisih said that women are also urging the government to abolish laws on sexual violence that fail to side with the victims.
The government, she said, should also ratify the Draft Law on Justice and Gender Equality (KKG) as well as immediately integrate comprehensive sex education into the curriculum for teenagers.
The action was held to commemorate IWD which fall on March 8 every year. The demonstration on Thursday was held in two parts: a morning rally at the parliament and an afternoon rally at the State Palace in Central Jakarta.
Based on Antara’s observations, starting at around 10am, hundreds of people began filling the area in front of the parliament giving speeches, reading poetry, reading out demands and other activities.
In front of the State Palace meanwhile, security personnel were on guard in the area in anticipation of large rallies that would be held at 1pm.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Tuntutan kesadaran hak pada aksi Hari Perempuan Internasional.]
