National Commission on Violence against Women: Stop The Negative Stigma From Aprilia Manganang

Aprilia Manganang (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - National Commission on Violence against Women asks the public not to put a negative stigma against the former volleyball athlete who is now a soldier in the Indonesian Army, Aprilia Manganang. Aprilia is declared to be male after being raised and is called female.

"What the community must do is provide support to those concerned so that they can continue to work and contribute to the development of the nation and state and stop all forms of stigma, persuasion, and discrimination against those concerned", Commissioner of National Commission on Violence against Women Bahrul Fuad said in a written statement to journalists, Wednesday, March 10.

National Commission on Violence against Women explains that Article 28 I of the 1945 Constitution contains provisions that everyone has the right to be free from discriminatory treatment on any basis and is entitled to protection against such discriminatory treatment.

Therefore, Fuad said that the state should also protect all its citizens from discrimination, including discrimination based on differences in sex and sexual orientation.

He appreciated the steps taken by the Chief of Army Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa which allowed Manganang to find out about his identity by carrying out a medical examination until finally it was discovered that he was actually a man. Fuad said Andika had made the right decision to respect the human rights of others.

"In my opinion, the decision made by the Army Chief of Staff was correct to respect human rights. By the Yogyakarta Principles which is a universal human rights guide that affirms international legal standards recognizing that every human being is born free and equal in terms of their rights and dignity", he said.

"In the context of Aprilia Manganang, the state has acted appropriately to respect the person concerned choosing a gender identity referring to the feelings of internal and individual experiences towards gender, which may not match his gender at the time he was born, including his feelings on his body parts", added Fuad.

As previously reported, Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) Andika Perkasa confirmed that Aprilia Manganang was a man from birth. This was done after a series of medical examinations.

"There is a male reproductive system in hypospadias. This happens quite often. So, it is even close to second place among the number of baby boys", General Andika Perkasa told reporters, Tuesday, March 9.

According to Andika, the results of the medical examination did not show a woman. Then, Aprilia Manganang's internal organs also did not lead to women.

"Hormonal examination is also like that, the hormone testosterone is also measured so factually and scientifically we believe Sergeant Manganang has more male hormonal categories", said Andika.

Likewise with the results of radiological examinations. "The radiological examination also revealed the same thing", said Andika.

This medical examination was initially carried out at Wolter Mongisidi Hospital, Manado, North Sulawesi on February 3. But the limitations of the hospital made the Indonesian Army decide to bring Aprilia Manganang to Jakarta.

"I consulted to offer what we can help for him. Sgt Manganang apparently welcomed him with great excitement. Apparently, this was what I had been waiting for so I presented the complete RSPAD team, we had a complete check at RSPAD using the health care we have", said the Army Chief of Staff.

Aprilia Manganang was born in North Sulawesi, April 27, 1992. Manganang started playing volleyball when he was in junior high school and played basketball during high school.

However, he was more interested in playing volleyball. His career began when he joined the Alco Bandung team in 2011. Manganang then moved to BNI46 and Manokwari Valeria.

Furthermore, Aprilia joined the Jakarta Elektrik PLN and successfully won the Pertamina Proliga title for two consecutive seasons, namely in 2015 and 2016.

Aprilia's gender status was questioned when he joined the Indonesian Volleyball League in 2011 and 2013 because of his stout posture and strong strength. While on the international stage, the Philippines volleyball national team coach had protested against Aprilia's gender at the 2015 SEA Games.