TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People from various organizations staged a long-march and rally today, December 8 in Jakarta, demanding the House of Representatives (DPR) soon ratify the draft bill concerning the elimination of sexual violence (RUU PKS). Chairman of the National Commission of Human Rights for Women (Komnas Perempuan) Azriana Manalu participated in the event.

“This is civil movement from various organization, worker organization, and victim assistance organization. They conduct this act to urge the government and DPR ratify the RUU PKS,” Azriana told reporters after giving an oration during the rally.

According to Azriana, the draft bill had entered the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) in 2016, then Prolegnas Priority in 2017 and 2018. But, it has not been discussed to date.

Read: Contesting Culture of Sexual Violence against Indonesian Women

“The people cannot wait any more because the number of victims of sexual violence increases every day. Meanwhile, discussion on the legal protection is too slow,” Azriana remarked.

She said that sexual violence cases often occur among the community, especially to women. But the legal proceeding was never easy, and the victim was beset to provide proof.

“We need a special law to protect people from sexual violence comprehensively, an RUU that rule the matter from the upstream to the downstream in a bid to assure that sexual violence can be stopped,” she explained.

The rally started at 8 a.m local times in the parking area of Sarinah, followed by a long march to Aspiration Park in the National Monument (Monas) complex. At the park, speakers delivered orations on the stage, urging DPR to pass the draft bill on the elimination of sexual violence.

RYAN DWIKY ANGGRIAWAN