First steps in Asia

The first steps of a new project addressing violence and discrimination against women in Indonesia

Taking the first steps of WUCWO’s World Women’s Observatory (WWO) in Asia, this mission seeks to better understand the reality of violence and discrimination against women, while raising awareness and inspiring action in Indonesia, where WUCWO has a strong presence through its affiliated organisation in the country.

The First Steps of WUCWO's Observatory in Asia

WUCWO's World Women’s Observatory (WWO) carried out a field mission to Indonesia with the participation of Isabella Park, Vice President of WUCWO, Lavinia Rocchi Carrera, Secretary General of WUCWO and Patricio Caruso, WWO's consultant. The team was warmly received by the leadership and members of Wanita Katolik Republik Indonesia, including its President Mrs. Elly Kusumawati Handoko and Justina Rostiawati, WUCWO’s Board member for Indonesia.

The mission began in Bandung, where a focus group with local organisations provided powerful testimonies on how extractive industries are reshaping communities and deepening women’s vulnerability.

“When the land is taken, women lose not only their livelihoods, but also their identity and their connection to culture.”

“Violence against women is not separate from these projects—it is part of the system that comes with them.”

Participants also highlighted how environmental degradation affects daily life, particularly through reduced access to clean water, loss of income, and growing social tensions within families and communities.

During their stay in Bandung, the delegation visited the Eco Camp with one of its founders, Father Ferry Sutrisna Wijaya, engaging with local initiatives that promote ecological awareness and community-based sustainability.

Jakarta: Voices from Women Living the Impacts

The mission continued in Jakarta, where two focus groups were held at the offices of Wanita Katolik Republik Indonesia. These sessions brought together women from across Indonesia, including activists, researchers, and women directly affected by violence and economic vulnerability. The testimonies revealed a complex and often invisible reality:

“Violence is so common that many women no longer recognize it as violence.”

“Sometimes being hit is seen as normal—something a husband does to ‘educate’ his wife or children.”

“Women work all day—at the factory and then at home—but their work is not recognized. When something goes wrong, they are the ones blamed.”

Participants also spoke about the impact of extractive industries in increasing social risks:

“When companies arrive, many men come from outside. With them come prostitution, exploitation, and broken families.”

“Young girls become pregnant and are abandoned. They carry the consequences alone.”

Several testimonies highlighted how economic pressures, cultural norms, and practices such as dowry can reinforce unequal power dynamics and expose women to higher levels of violence.

“Because the husband’s family has paid, some men feel they own the woman—and can do whatever they want.”

At the same time, women emphasised their exclusion from decision-making processes:

“We are rarely consulted, yet we are the ones who deal with the consequences every day—water, food, children, health.”

Despite these challenges, the focus groups also highlighted the critical role of local organisations in supporting women, including shelters, accompaniment programs, and advocacy initiatives led by faith-based and civil society groups.

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Looking ahead

The final day of the visit was dedicated to a working session at the offices of Wanita Katolik, where the team and local partners defined the next steps of the project.

This included the development of a national survey to be launched in May, aiming to reach approximately 1,000 women across Indonesia, with the goal of gathering their experiences, voices, and perspectives.

This mission reaffirmed a key principle of the WWO:

Real change begins by listening—carefully and respectfully—to women’s lived realities.

Patricio Caruso - WWO Consultant