'Suara Hati' Voices Women's Concerns About Sexual Violence
Jakarta. The shocking gang rape and murder of 14-year-old Yuyun in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu, has led to a national outcry, with many people demanding tough sentences for the 14 mostly teenage perpetrators, some of whom are from the same school the victim used to attend.
Since Yuyun's murder, the local media has reported on several other cases of sexual violence against women, which has opened the eyes of many to the dire situation faced by women in Indonesia.
Data by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) reveal that at least three women fall victim to sexual violence in Indonesia every few hours. This alarming fact should therefore serve as a wake-up call for all Indonesians. Something needs to be done to prevent sexual violence against women.
"As a female artist, I'm deeply concerned about the increasing incidences of violence against women in Indonesia," actress and model Nova Eliza said. "I really want to be able to do something about it."
Nova, who has a 9-year-old daughter, came up with an idea to start a campaign against violence on women. She wanted to take pictures of important public figures in Indonesia, portraying their feelings about sexual violence.
The actress then contacted her good friend, photographer Dewandra Djelantik, to assist with the project.
"I was very enthusiastic to work on this project," Dewandra said. "It's for a very worthy cause."
Dewandra subsequently engaged his good friend and fellow photographer, Nurulita Adriani Rahayu, to collaborate.
Together, they have approached 60 public figures, all women, and arranged to take their pictures.
"Luckily, they all replied in the affirmative and worked well with us within a very short period," Dewandra said.
Among the public figures partaking in the project were actress Marcella Zalianty, Djarum Foundation cultural program director Renitasari Adrian, media mogul Pia Alisjahbana and senior actress Rima Melati.
The project, which kicked off in mid-November last year, was completed in December. The pictures were then taken on a roadshow to Yogyakarta, Bali and Makassar (South Sulawesi) from January.
These portraits are now on display at Erasmus Huis in Jakarta as part of an exhibition titled "Suara Hati [Voices of the Heart]: Stop Violence With Art."
"I'm so happy that this project gets so much support, including from Erasmus Huis," Nova said. "Erasmus Huis is a cultural center, so we believe [by displaying the portraits here], we could reach a wider audience and influence many more people."
The portraits, all in black-and-white, are dramatic. They display expressions of sadness, anger, shock and disgust by the 60 public figures who participated in the project.
"I want to move people with these pictures," said Nurulita, one of the photographers. "I want people to empathize with women and feel the anguish and destruction caused by sexual violence through these pictures."
Hundreds of VVIPs and celebrities flocked to the main function hall at Erasmus Huis during the opening of the exhibition on Thursday (12/05). Among them was Komnas Perempuan vice chairwoman Yuniyanti Chuzaifah.
"This exhibition is indeed amazing," Yuniyanti said. "It's truly a great initiative, giving a voice to women's hearts through photographs."
However, Yuniyanti believes women's dire situation in this country can be changed.
"The root of the problem is our legal system that is too lenient with the perpetrators," she said. "But we're now proposing a new bill on sexual violence in the House of Representatives. Let's hope that they'll pass this bill and discourage acts of sexual violence in the future."
The photo exhibition at Erasmus Huis will continue until June 12.
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