'Women Have Stories' Touching Rano Karno's Heart, Becomes A Reflection On Bullying That Occurs In Jakarta

One of the scenes in the musical "Women Have Stories" was displayed at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Central Jakarta, Sunday (7/9/2025). (ANTARA/Lia Wanadriani Santosa)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno highlighted that there are still cases of bullying in children in Jakarta. He considered that this problem should get serious attention from all parties, especially parents.

"We can't deny it. This (bullying) happens in the community. Indeed, it is time for us to pay special attention to children, so that incidents like this don't happen in the future," said Rano in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, September 7.

Rano conveyed this after watching the musical performance of Perempuan Punya Cerita at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Central Jakarta. He was present with the ranks of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, including the Head of the DKI Jakarta Culture Service Mochamad Miftahullloh Tamary and the Head of the DKI Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Office Andhika Permata.

According to Rano, the show dared to raise social reality, including the issue of bullying that is often experienced by children.

"This is one of the courage to raise this theme. This means that this is a reality, this is our reflection," he said.

He admitted that he was impressed by the performances of the players who were mostly young people. I watched a musical drama that was beyond my predictions. This is played by young people, who are emotionally not easy. It's not very easy," said Rano.

He also gave special appreciation to the player who plays the antagonist for successfully displaying convincing expressions of emotions.

Producer of the EKI Dance Company, Alim Sudio, explained that the musical Woman Has a Story about raising the issue of women who are often silenced and depressed in the social environment. However, the work also wants to show that women still have the power to speak up.

"Women have the power to be able to speak up, speak in their own way. Because they believe that fate is in their own hands," said Alim.

The show presents two stories at once, namely Anya, who has a school background and Jami, which has a marginal background. According to Alim, the theater stage is effective for expressing social anxiety while encouraging the audience to be more concerned.

Meanwhile, based on data from the DKI Jakarta Department of Empowerment, Child Protection and Population Control (PPAPP), there were 650 cases of violence in schools ranging from kindergarten to high school during the January-September 2024 period. Of that number, around 33 percent were cases of psychological violence, including bullying, intimidation, to embarrassing victims in public.