WOMEN IN POST-CONFLICT REALITIES OF ACEH EKA SRIMULYANI

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Dayna Smith
5 years ago
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1 WOMEN IN POST-CONFLICT REALITIES OF ACEH EKA SRIMULYANI

3 BACKGROUND Women and Peace Process/Building Duek Pakat Inong Aceh (First Aceh Women Congress) in February 2000 Women s movement emerged and consolidated during the armed conflict between Aceh Independent Movement and Indonesian government. Some military operations applied, several peace negotiation were initiated, some failed such as CoHA (Cessation of Hostilities in Aceh) The earthquake and tsunami hit Aceh in December 2004, several round of peace talks facilitated by CMI took place in Helsinki Peace agreement was signed on 15 August, 2015 in Helsinki after five round of peace talks in Vantaa, Finland.

4 THE QUESTION OF INCLUSIVENESS Less engagement of women in the high official peace talk, only one woman (Shadia Marhaban) joined the later rounds of Helsinki peace talk. The Helsinki MoU, does not address the women s issues Seemingly, it also marginalized other civil society forces throughout the process, more emphasis was being put on the two conflicting parties. Less inclusive, in terms of process, and also the substances discussed, it affected the derived documents from the MoU, including the local bylaws.

5 SOME REALITIES The women s network and movement in Aceh consolidated during the Aceh armed conflict from1990s. They also received a number of support during the post- tsunami disaster recovery periods i.e the second Duek Pakat Inong Aceh (DPIA) was supported by UNIFEM (UN Women), the third Duek Pakat Inong Aceh (DPIA) was supported by AusAid. After the recovery period terminated, with very limited financial and technical supports, a number of women s organizations in Aceh are currently inactive. Few [women s] activist are now choosing to engage in practical politics through political party, few others are not active any longer in the movement, for their business in livelihood or other personal/ familial matters. Aceh women s right charters, bylaws on women s empowerment are not recognized widely?

6 ACEH WOMEN S RIGHT CHARTER Drafting by different components of the society; academics, ulama, activist, etc. This charter was launched officially on November 11, 2008 in Taman Ratu Safiatuddin Syah. Adopted and inspired by Islamic values/principles, Acehnese identities as well as CEDAW. Signed by governor, head of local parliament, head of police chief officer, ulama council, adat council, civil society organizations. Although this is Aceh Women s Right Charter, many men are also engaged in the process, so this is our charter and for all of us (leader of ulama council)

7 SOME CHALLENGES Shifting of the spirit? Limited Financial resources, and other technical supports [political] support, the mindset that only the conflicting parties are the main stakeholders of the process. Less efforts initiated by the government and relevant agencies in promoting sustainable positive as well as inclusive peace such as through education/curriculum. Peace mainstreaming in development and empowerment programs. The Quest of [social] justice, Komisi Kebenaran dan Rekonsiliasi (Commission for Truth and Reconciliation) implementation. UNSCR 1325: commonly, the community, including women do not understand these resolutions.

8 INTERVIEW Pertama tahun 2006 ketika mendirikan [organisasi] LINA (Liga Inong Aceh), niatan saya adalah [Resolusi] 1325 awalnya. Tapi ketika saya turun ke kampung-kampung jangankan 1325, sosialisasi MoU saja sama sekali mereka tidak nyambung. Jadi saya mulai nol, dari awal, [menjelaskan kepada masyarakat] kenapa ada MoU. Sampai ada ibuibu marah, dipukulnya dengan buku, [sambil berkata], Kenapa anak saya sampai meninggal, akhirnya hanya teken-meneken, selesai baikbaik... (When I first established LINA (Liga Inong Aceh) [organization], in 2006,my intention was UNSCR Nevertheless when I came to the grassroots level, they could not understand this at all. So I start from zero by explaining about MoU [Helsinki], one of women got very angry and said: my son was dead during the conflict, but the end of the conflict was only signing the agreement, and then it just ends softly ) Interview with a woman peace make activist

9 THE WAYS AHEAD Reconsolidating, strengthening and extending the networks towards sustainable inclusive peace building

10 SOME POTENTIALS Still few women s organization operated, also some civil society forces/organizations still concerned on post-conflict issues. Aceh Peace Forum The existence of public intellectuals such as Prof. Yusny Saby who also involved. Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Institute for Islamic Studies Inter-religious Dialogue and Peace at State Islamic University led by Dr. Suraiya IT. International Conference 10 th Year Anniversary of MoU Helsinki November Women s religious leaders at the grass-root level, who has a number of women s study circle, whom could be engaged as mediator and peace builder. Few of them were actually engaged with some peace related activities with their communities such as through inter-peace organizations program.

H.E. KH Abdurrahman Wahid

1 T h e W a h i d I n s t i t u t e F 2 FOUNDERS OUNDERS3 H.E. KH Abdurrahman Wahid KH Abdurrahman Wahid, or also known as Gus Dur, was an important figure of Islam and peace. In Indonesia, he was known