Summary The book "Being a Man – Javanese Perspectives about Masculinity and Domestic Violence“ represents a study concerning the different perspective of issues of violence which is not the women as victims but the men as perpetrators. It is a preliminary explorative study as an effort to understand dynamics of thoughts and feelings of men that are related with issues of masculinity and domestic violence. There is a certain self perception of men concerning values of male patriarchy which includes the susceptibility to conduct violence against women as a large problem of male hegemonic awareness. Men seem to be tied up in patriarchal values what is expressed in the feeling of debacle as soon as women demonstrate to become more advanced. In a patriarchal culture the ideal of a man is to be strong, determined and responsible for his family.…

Rifka Annisa undertakes research, establishes support and education programs, and trains communities to deal with gender-based violence. With all this knowledge and expertise, Rifka Annisa also compiles books on how to understand gender, the role of Islam, Indonesian law and the way we run our programs. These small books provide valuable insight into the work we do and address many frequently asked questions from people wondering about the issues of violence against women in Indonesia. Book 1: Understanding Gender and Violence Against Women This book explains what gender is and how rigid gender roles lead to a culture that accepts and perpetuates violence against women. Gender is different to biological sex, as the different anatomies we have hold no inherent meaning. Contrastingly, gender is an assigned construction of rules that drastically affect how people live their lives. Common stereotypes of…

By:Lalu Fadlurrahman(Administrative Reform Team @Center for Good Governance Jogja)Translated by Isabelle Perhaps you have ever heard Lombok Island and a thousand mosques. Moreover, it has the unaffected beauty nature, especially with its beautiful and clean beaches. Someday, one of my college friends expressed a profound impression after visiting the Lombok Island. I was really happy when I heard the statement that my friend wanted to go back there. However, people (of course from outside Lombok) know that this beautiful island has its own story about the life of its women which are very rare. Perhaps because every time they meet a woman in Lombok, whether she becomes a trader in traditional markets, a waiter in a hotel or even a woman who preserves the unique souvenir in Lombok’s tourist spots. They only see the genuine smile of their dry lips,…

Translated by Isabelle Polygamy is a technical term for a man marrying to more than one woman at the same time. Polygamy is often held by men for some reasons which are verified by religion or based on history. Another common reason is gender based perspective, such as like men’s libido which is very high and higher than women’s and if men are not doing polygamy they will do adultery. There are also men having medical motives like infertility or a deformation of their wife but this is none of the motives which Rifka Annisa discovers in some polygamy cases. Based on the data of Rifka Annisa WCC Yogyakarta, women take sides immediately and feel the negative consequences from polygamic marriages which are mostly made without the agreement of the first wife. It has negative psychological consequences when the second…

Translated by Isabelle Counseling ApproachThe Rifka Annisa WCC approach to survivors employs the principle of the self determination right as an alternative solution that is created through the process of counseling. As a logical consequence from this principle, a selection of clients, including women, become the main subject for the continuing or not continuing of unwanted pregnancy. Rifka Annisa WCC is responsible to give information about the accurate support and the effect which could arise from the different mentioned selections. In connection with the client’s right on information, Rifka Annisa WCC might not have a monopoly on rightness. What Rifka Annisa can do is to express information about the view on abortion with regard to complete background. This is a part of the right to information as well as a part of the women’s right to reproduction. Furthermore, Rifka Annisa…