Rejecting The Discourse On Segregating Men And Women In Public Transportation, Komnas Perempuan: Affirming The Stigma Of Women As The Cause Of Sexual Violence

Public transportation (angkot) at the corner of Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - The Women's National Commission (Komnas) rejected the discourse on the separation of male and female seats in city transportation (angkot) initiated by the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub).

The head of the Komnas Perempuan's Community Participation Sub-commission, Veryanto Sitohang, assessed that instead of preventing sexual violence, the policy has the potential to corner women as victims of sexual violence.

"The main argument is that the separation of the positions of women and men will emphasize the stigma that women are the cause of sexual violence," Veryanto said when confirmed, Friday, July 15.

In the case of sexual violence, said Veryanto, the victim should not be blamed because it is the perpetrator who must be held responsible in the situation.

"In fact, the perpetrator is the person who must be responsible for the sexual violence, including because his perspective views women as sexual objects," he said.

Veryanto also assessed that the separation would not be effective because of the limited space and seats in angkot.

According to him, the solution is socialization related to forms of sexual violence, legal regulations governing sexual violence, and invitations to reject all forms of sexual violence.

He sees the need for public transport managers to also improve their infrastructure, including not using dark colored car windows, so that activities inside the car can be seen from the outside.

Veryanto emphasized that transport drivers must also be given training and provided with the understanding that they have a responsibility to prevent and help victims of sexual violence.

Previously, based on an Antara report, the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency planned to separate male and female passengers in public transportation to prevent the potential for sexual harassment.

The separation was also a response to a sexual harassment case that recently occurred in the M44 angkot in the Tebet area, South Jakarta.

However, this policy was cancelled. As a replacement, the DKI Provincial Government has prepared the establishment of a Sapa Post (Friends of Women and Children) in the mode of transportation through complaint number 112.

Currently, the service is available at 23 Transjakarta bus stops, 13 MRT stations, and six Jakarta LRT stations and is also planned to expand to angkot.

The DKI Provincial Government is installing CCTV or surveillance cameras at various stations, bus stops, terminals, and public transportation to detect and reduce potential disturbances.