Public Discussion on Single Mother in Yogyakarta 2013

Public discussion was aimed to disseminate issue of single mother among parish priests and church activists in Yogyakarta. RGS in collaboration with local church authority in Yogyakarta conducted the meeting. 125 participants consist of priest, nuns, male activists, and female activists attended the meeting. Combination of sharing experience from single mother and good shepherd sister with research based presentation and theological based perspective on church call toward the poor allowed participants to understand and take action for single mothers in Yogyakarta. In the meeting, RGS gave 250 books on single mother for all participants.

Raising Awareness on Women and Children Issue in Jakarta

RGS conducted four socialization to disseminate the issues of marginalized women and girls. Our target of dissemination was church activists, women activists, parishioners, and family of single mothers. RGS activities include:

·         9 Maret 2013, theme: “Situation of women and girls in trafficking industry”

RGS invited guest speaker from International Organization of Migration (IOM) to discuss current data of women and girl victims of human trafficking in Indonesia.  11 female activists and 1 male activist attended the meeting. As follow up, participants suggested to conduct socialization of human trafficking to students in Bogor.

·         27 Mei 2013, theme: “Learning about life from St. Marry Mother of God”

RGS collaborated with Devosi Maria Community Jakarta to disseminate issues of women and girls in their event. The speakers were Sr. Lia RGS and Fr. Siswantoko (JPIC Indonesia Bishop conference) with Jeremy Thomas (artist) as moderator. 150 parishioners listened to our topic on Women and girls victims of human trafficking. No follow up after the meeting.

·         15 September 2013, theme: “Compassionate family toward single mother”

RGS invited Kristi Poerwandari (Psychologist) and Fr. Madya Utama SJ (Theologist) to discuss the theme. 80 participants consist of parents of single mother, friends, children, and religious attended the discussion. The discussion allowed participants to understand challenging situation for single mothers and give better idea of giving support for single mothers and their children.

·         25 September 2013, theme: “Marriage and re-marriage”

RGS collaborated with KOMNAS Perempuan to disseminate issue of single mother and wives of migrant. The speakers were Sr. Lia RGS, Valentina Sagala, and Helga. At the meeting, RGS gave away 30 books on Single mother for participants. 30 female activists from various religion backgrounds attended the discussion.

Socialization of Human Trafficking for rural people from sender areas and teenage

·         Socialization of human trafficking in Forum of Manggarai Community

The socialization of trafficking was conducted under discussion series held by Manggarai Community.  The activity was held in Jakarta at 26 February 2012 with 50 participants. We used the opportunity to present our data on situation of migrant workers of East Nusa Tenggara in this forum because they have direct connection with people in East Nusa Tenggara and unaware about trafficking industry.  The result of this activity was that Manggarai Community discussed possible action they could do as of individual and group to protect themselves and their family members from human trafficking.

·         Socialization of human trafficking to students of St. Ursula High School.

The socialization of trafficking was held at St. Ursula School Jakarta on 14 December 2012 with 134 participants. During eight hours activity, we informed students about human trafficking and the ways to indentify trafficking threats. The result of this activity was that Catholic youth of Batam discussed possible action they could do as of individual and group to protect themselves, friends, and family members from human trafficking. 

Book discussion on “Single Mother: Reality and Discourse”

On 15 Mei 2012 we conducted book discussion. We invited 3 speakers to talk based on their expertise. The discussion was began by single mother who shared her experience. The sharing was responded by psychological perspective by Kristi poerwandari. The need of community was discussed by Nani Zulminarni. And it was closed by Madya Utama SJ on church perspective on single mother. 50 participants attended the discussion. The book that was edited by Imaculata Kurniasanti, mainly discussed everyday issues of single mother from sociological perspective.

Socialization of human trafficking to youth in Batam

The socialization of Anti-trafficking was held in Todak Island on 7 – 8 July 2012. In this activity we empower youth to participate as organizing committee. To this, youth learned the ways to communicate with police and church authorities to get support. During two days activity, we informed the youth about human trafficking and the ways to indentify trafficking threats. The result of this activity was that Catholic youth of Batam discussed possible action they could do as of individual and group to protect themselves, friends, and family members from human trafficking. The youth was divided based on their parishes to make follow-up action. In all four parishes, the youth mentioned that they will tell their friends and parents about trafficking threats individually and as a group they chose facilitator among them. To support their action, GSSWC agreed to conduct TOT for youth in Batam. Throught the program we socialized Anti-trafficking to 160 youth.

Socialization of Human Trafficking in Poor Neighborhood in Batam

The socialization of anti-trafficking targeted people from areas where a lot of people were sent to other places and became trafficking victims. We held the socialization of Anti-trafficking at 4 Good Shepherd Community Centers in Batam. Participants are parents of children in the center.

20 February 2012 at the Good shepherd Center Kampung air, 33 parents attended socialization.

21 February 2012 at the Good shepherd Center Teluk Bakau, 20 parents attended socialization.

22 February 2012 at the Good shepherd Center Baloi Kebun, 17 parents attended socialization. 

23 February 2012 at the Good shepherd Center Tiban Kampung, 21 parents attended socialization.

The Good Shepherd Centers was built in poor areas and the low economy families have accessed these centers. During socialization process some participant, formerly work as maid abroad, shared their experiences. They mentioned the hardship they had as Indonesian migrant worker and the lack of protection. Through socialization, we informed 107 people consist of 91 parents and 16 teachers about human trafficking and the ways to identify trafficking threats.  

16 Days Campaign to Combat Violence Against Women 2012

Violence against women cannot be tolerated in any circumstances. Responding the urge to combat gendered based violence, we conducted 16 days activism:

·        Under the theme From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World, we discussed the ways in which violence against women can be seen as a chain of vicious circle in everyday reality.  In collaboration with Vivat Indonesia, GSSWC Indonesia conducted seminar that was held on 25 November 2012 in Jakarta. 134 participants consist of religious congregation and activists attended 5 hours seminar session with guest speakers included Nunuk P. Murniati (Former commissioner of Komnas perempuan), Rev. Madya Utama SJ (Theologist), and Rita Serena Kolibonso (Lawyer).

·         We distributed information on situation of women and we encouraged RGS sister in Indonesia province to participate and conduct activities with women in communities on 16 days campaign.

·         We discussed violence against women that lead women into single parenthood through national television (TVRI) on 26 November 2012. The program was aired nationally. This publication was collaboration with commission of communication of Archdiocese Jakarta.

·         We shared information of violence against women and we encouraged listeners radio Cakrawala on 25 November 2012 to combat violence. The program was aired in Jakarta.

·         We distributed information on human rights day. Our team and the Good Shepherd sisters also conducted prayers for women and children victims of violence on 10 December 2012. The prayer was our ways to support women and children in our services and women and children elsewhere.

·         We conducted discussion on 12 December 2012. We invited sisters and catholic female activists to discuss situation of women in Indonesia. The discussion was focused on women positionality in Catholic Church of Indonesia. Rev. Benny Susetyo (commission of religious relation in Indonesia bishops’ conference) and Kristi Poerwandari (Director of Gender studies Universitas Indonesia) were the keynote speakers.