Rifka Annisa

Establishing Integrated Response for Women Survivors of Violence through Integration of Domestic Violence Eradication Act into Shariah Law in Indonesia

One in four women in Indonesia suffers violence at the hands of her intimate partner during her lifetime. Most cases of divorce stemming from this violence are dealt with by religious courts, where judges rarely refer to the country’s legislation on domestic violence. Judges in religious courts do not consider the provisions of the domestic violence act under their authority and therefore do not consider the rights provided under the law for women divorcing their abusive husbands in their verdicts.

Establishing Integrated Response for Women Survivors of Violence meeting. Photo: FB/rifka.wcc

This project seeks to engage the religious courts and their judges as key partners in the fight against violence against women. In addition, the project promotes prevention by challenging gender stereotypes that fuel violence.

Throughout the three-year project, Rifka Annisa, a women’s organization with national reach, will employ a variety of strategies including structural interventions to improve service delivery to survivors, training of court officials and judges, and community mobilization in four provinces focused on cultural change. It will also engage men as advocates and support community organizations to develop “gender-responsive societies” through training and discussions around gender issues, sexuality and reproductive health for women and men of different ages. If successful, this project could possibly serve as a model for religious courts in other Muslim countries.