Oris Riswan Budiana, Bandung – Around 60 women from the West Java Regional Women’s Committee (KPR) celebrated International Women’s Day in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung with a protest action on the grounds of the Gedung Sate building on Jl. Diponegoro.

During the action the protesters called for equality between men and women, saying that there are still many differences or discrimination that have to be accepted by women. They also demanding security guarantees from the government because there are still many incidents of sexual harassment against women.

“There are still man women who are being harassed. We demand safety wherever we may be”, said KPR chairperson Nurbetty when sought out during a break in the action.

Nurbetty said that women want to be respected both by men and by the government. She hopes that the government will pay more concern to women, including women in the workplace. “Please respect us. And we hope that the government will care more about women in order to prevent discrimination against us”, she asserted.

During the action, the protesters made six demands. These included, among others, calling for protection for women and working women, an end to violence and discrimination against women in the workplace and equality with a 40 percent quota for women in all public positions. (ors/ern)

[Puluhan Orang Peringati Hari Perempuan di Gedung Sate – DetikBandung. Kamis, 08/03/2012. Translated by James Balowski.]