TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of women’s rights activists, students and democracy activists in Yogyakarta will celebrate the International Women's Day by staging a protest and raising their concerns over several issues, including land grabbing that has made women suffer.

Jaringan Perempuan Yogyakarta (literally translated as Yogyakarta Women Network), comprising of several women organizations, will perform a communal dance at Yogyakarta's kilometer zero point. The coordinator of the rally Anastasia Sukiratnasari said that 50 people will perform the communal dance and will ask onlookers to join them. “We are inspired by Jampi Gugat Dance of Kinanti Sekar. It has a meaning of defiance for a better life,” Anastasia told Tempo yesterday.

The dance is a symbol of defiance against sexual harassment of women and a protest against land grabbing that has made women suffer. Women have lost jobs due to evictions to make way for government projects. For example, the development of an international airport in Kulon Progo District and tourism project in Gunung Kidul.

Anastasia said that Gusdurian and inter-religious activists will join the rally. Aside from protest against harassment of women, Jaringan Perempuan Yogyakarta will also call for the protection of domestic workers, load-carriers (buruh gendong), disabled people and sex workers.

Another pro-women and pro-democracy group Komite Perjuangan Perempuan (Committee for Women’s Struggle) will also stage a march in Yogyakarta. It will voice its concerns over agrarian conflicts, sexism, demand protection of migrant workers, protest violence against female journalists and defend the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals.

Activists will descend on Yogyakarta following the Woman’s March held on January 21. “The wave of resistance must continue to be voiced,” said Tia Setiyani, an activist of Komite Perjuangan Perempuan.

Legal Aid Institute (LBH) activist will join the rally demanding law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of women. LBH will highlight the halted investigations into cases of violence against women. “The high number of cases of violence against women is caused by weak law enforcement,” LBH activist Emanuel Gobay said.

SHINTA MAHARANI