Islamic Boarding Schools Are Prone To Sexual Violence, Muhaimin Iskandar Appreciates Fasantri's Steps To Implement Prevention SOPs

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhaimin Iskandar, attended the National Working Meeting of the Women's Islamic Boarding School Caregiver Forum. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, appreciates the steps taken by the Women's Islamic Boarding School Caregiver Forum (Fasantri) to make SOPs for the prevention and handling of cases of sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools. The reason is, pesantren have an important role in preventing cases of sexual violence in the environment of the santri.

According to him, boarding-based educational institutions, both universities and Islamic boarding schools, are places that are prone to sexual violence.

"Everything in the form of dormitories, gatherings, can be a threat. The relationship between patron-client, superior-subordinate, teacher-student, elder-young, is also vulnerable," said Muhaimin in a statement quoted by Antara, Sunday, March 13.

This was said by Muhaimin during the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) and the launch of the SOP for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence Cases at Islamic Boarding Schools, Friday, March 11, at Al Mubarok Islamic Boarding School Marangen, Demak, Central Java.

Therefore, he asked the government to create a sexual violence prevention unit.

"The National Police must also have a quick reaction team in handling cases of sexual violence. As for things that are preventive in nature, all ministries must be involved in helping," he added.

He supports the role of Fasantri, who encourages the increase in the role and benefits of female Islamic boarding schools, by formalizing SOPs for handling and anticipating the threat of violence in pesantren.

Fasantri's move, according to him, is the first among Muslims in anticipating the threat of sexual violence in the pesantren environment.

"Salute to Fasantri who has driven internal steps for the female Islamic boarding school environment and external steps to encourage Muslims to become a force that is safe from sexual violence," he explained.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Fasantri Hindun Annisah said the SOP for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence Cases in Islamic Boarding Schools, which will be implemented in various female Islamic boarding schools, is not only in terms of handling, but also prevention so that cases of sexual violence do not occur.

He gave an example in the SOP there is a female-friendly learning, namely how in the Islamic boarding school has a gender-fair learning system and is friendly to women.

"For example, starting with regulations that provide access to women, starting with prevention and being taught women's reproductive jurisprudence. Therefore, women are required to know about their reproductive rights," he said.