The United Nations in Indonesia welcomes the Indonesian Parliament’s approval of the Sexual Violence Crime Bill (RUU TPKS) into law on 12 April 2022

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The United Nations in Indonesia welcomes the Indonesian Parliament’s approval of the Sexual Violence Crime Bill (RUU TPKS) into law on 12 April 2022

Jakarta, 12 April 2022–The United Nations (UN) in Indonesia extends its congratulations to the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR-RI) and to all government and civil society partners involved in approving the sexual violence crime bill, RUU Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual (RUU TPKS), into law.

The bill’s passage is a testament to the leadership of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) and the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), and to the vigorous advocacy of civil society and women's rights activists across the country. It is a victory for all women, girls, and victims and survivors of sexual violence in Indonesia who have the fundamental right to protection under a comprehensive legal umbrella. It is also a fitting tribute to the legacy of women’s rights activist Raden Adjeng Kartini, whose April 21, 1879 birthdate Indonesians commemorate nationwide. 

The Sexual Violence Crime Bill delivers a long-awaited legal framework for handling sexual violence. Although the bill has its shortcomings in terms of adopting a narrower scope of types of violence considered, it is an important step in the right direction. The bill’s passage into law will enable survivors of sexual violence to seek justice and hold perpetrators accountable. It will also create a safer environment for women and girls. 

The UN in Indonesia has strongly supported the passage of RUU TPKS, through partnerships with Kemen PPPA, Komnas Perempuan, and civil society organizations. The bill’s passage reaffirms Indonesia’s commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). 

The UN in Indonesia stands with all survivors of sexual violence, and with women and girls in Indonesia. Today marks a promising step towards our ultimate goal of creating a world free of gender-based violence, but our work does not end here. We call for multi-sectoral collaboration among national stakeholders and the public to support and monitor the new law’s full implementation. As an integral part of the 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals) agenda adopted by all member states, we must continue to work together to create a just and equitable world where everyone lives with dignity and free from violence.

For more information, please contact: 

• Dian Agustino (Communications Analyst, UNFPA Indonesia): agustino@unfpa.org
• Radhiska Anggiana (Advocacy and Communications Analyst, UN Women): radhiska.anggiana@unwomen.org

About the UN in Indonesia: 

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding charter. In Indonesia, the UN is committed to supporting the Government of Indonesia in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The UN Country Team is led by UN Resident Coordinator Valerie Julliand, the highest-ranking representative of the UN development system at the country level. RCs lead UN Country Teams in consultation with the Government to define and agree on the UN strategic response to the Government’s development priorities in implementing the 2030 Agenda. 

About UNFPA:

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Since 1972, UNFPA has been one of Indonesia’s most prominent partners in reproductive health, youth, population and development, and gender equality.

UNFPA Indonesia strives to achieve Three Zeros, a global commitment to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices, guided by the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda. To learn more, please visit https://indonesia.unfpa.org/ 

About UN Women: 

UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, the organization was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on women’s rights worldwide. UN Women’s efforts are based on the fundamental belief that every woman has the right to live a life free from violence, poverty, and discrimination, and that gender equality is a prerequisite to achieving global development.