Women’s Roles in Driving Change

Women have a huge role in driving change, countering radicalism and combating violence, especially gender-based violence, both in their own country and in the world. Governments are encouraged to launch affirmative action to strengthen women in leadership capability.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Participants of the International Young Muslim Women Forum (IYMWF) 2018 during the forum’s closing ceremony on Saturday evening (27/10/2018) in Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Women have a huge role in driving change, countering radicalism and combating violence, especially gender-based violence, both in their own country and in the world. Governments are encouraged to launch affirmative action in politics, education, health, economics, technology and religious affairs to strengthen women in leadership capability.

Furthermore, women\'s economic empowerment is deemed an effective way to achieve gender equality, reduce poverty and stop gender-based violence.

Participants of the International Young Muslim Women Forum (IYMWF) 2018 read out these points in their declaration during the forum’s closing ceremony on Saturday evening (27/10/2018) in Jakarta. Turkey’s Ozge Kurbetoglu and Indonesia’s Rahma Arifa jointly read out the declaration. Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise and Foreign Ministry expert staffer Dewi Safitri Wahab attended the event.

Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama, the women’s youth league of the nation’s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, organized the forum, themed “Finding Creative Ways for a Better World”, which involved 200 participants from 17 countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Hong Kong, India, India’s Kashmir state, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, the US and Indonesia.

The forum participants agreed that Islam should be rahmatan lil alamin (a blessing for the universe) that supported gender equality, human rights and justice for all. However, there were deep concerns that women across the globe were still subjected to inequality, exploitation and gender-based violence. The forum therefore urged national and international governmental bodies and religious leaders to tackle the issues.

The participants also declared that they deplored the rise of violent radicalism and extremism that targeted Muslim youths – men and women alike – towards committing acts of intolerance and violence around the world, including in Indonesia. Recruiting women and children to commit acts of terrorism must be prevented by any and all means, and through the use of all necessary resources.

“We recommend Indonesia’s Islam Nusantara [Archipelagic Islam] tradition as an alternative narrative in the fight against violent radicalism and extremism,” Kurbetoglu said while reading the declaration.

Social media activity

In response to widespread fake news and lies that rely on religious sentiments for unilateral political or economic gains, the forum participants called on all young Muslim women to be more active on social media in spreading the Islamic values of tolerance (tasamuh), moderation (tawassuth) and equality (musawah) in the fight against the hate propaganda of certain groups.

Apart from campaigning against child marriages and urging the government to ensure high-quality health care for women, the participants also voiced the aspiration of women and girls with disabilities to enjoy equal access through education policies and programs.

Minister Yohana said that all Muslim women youths should rise and work together to create change and establish gender equality. “Women can create change and be pioneers of peace,” she said.

Fatayat NU chairwoman Anggia Ermarini and IYMWF organizing committee chair Hijroatul Maghfiroh said they hoped the forum could serve as a medium to exchange ideas on various issues.

Once the participants returned home, it was hoped that they would be agents of change in building a better and friendlier world, and actively participate in the advancement of women’s rights.

(SON)