Puput Tripeni Juniman, Jakarta – In the lead up to International Women’s Day (IWD), around 1 thousand people gathered in Jakarta on the morning of Saturday March 3 to hold the 2nd Jakarta Women’s March.
The action, which was titled #LawanBersama (#FightingTogether) articulated the demands and wishes of those who side with women. There were at least eight main demands made during this year’s action.
The rally, which began at around 8am, began with a march from the Sari Pan Pacific hotel near the Sarinah shopping mall in Central Jakarta.
They then marched along the city’s main thoroughfare Jl. MH Thamrin to Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat then on to the National Monument (Monas) Aspiration Garden in front of the State Palace.
“Those who want change, shout ‘fight’”, said a speaker leading the rally from atop a pickup truck.
During the march, women representatives from various women’s organisations and foundations took turns in voicing their demands and aspirations.
These ranged from representatives of domestic labour groups, trade unions, sex workers, victims of sexual violence to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.
The eight main demands taken up by the march this year included abolishing discriminative policies, the enactment of various laws and policies, guaranteeing and providing access to rehabilitation for victims of sexual violence and an end to the state’s intervention in people’s bodies.
In addition to this they demanding an end to gender based stigma, discrimination, practices and the culture of violence. They also called for the abolition of the roots of gender based violence.
At the Aspiration Garden, the rally continued with arts performances articulating these demands.
Although the rally was taking up women’s related issues, it was not just supported by women. Men could be seen taking part in the action and several foreigners also participated.
The peaceful action was enlivened by unique paraphernalia with several protesters carrying chicken cages, wearing traditional clothing, Star Wars outfits and much more.
The Jakarta Women’s March was marking IWD which falls on March 8 each year. In addition to the march in Jakarta, rallies were also held in several other major cities including Bandung in West Java, Surabaya in East Java and the tourist island of Bali.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Women’s March di Jakarta Suarakan 8 Tuntutan.]
