Jakarta, 29 December 2023 – PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk., continues to strengthen its partnership synergy with Muhammadiyah through a long-term collaboration with Muhammadiyah Institute of Technology and Business (ITB) Ahmad Dahlan University, including efforts towards the protection and empowerment of women in Indonesia. In commemoration of Mother's Day 2023, the Center for Islamic Studies, Women, and Development (PSIPP) at ITB Ahmad Dahlan, with the support of Unilever Indonesia, organized the "Religion and Women Week" event in December 2023. The seminar and training, conducted in 7 cities across Indonesia, included public education on issues related to sexual violence and economic empowerment of women.
According to the Annual Report of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, in 2022, there were 339,782 cases of gender-based violence (GBV), and women with disabilities experienced even longer and more severe impacts. Furthermore, victims of violence, especially women and children, often do not receive the necessary support for recovery.
Dr. Yayat Sujatna, S.E., M.Si., Rector of Ahmad Dahlan University Institute of Technology and Business in Jakarta, one of Muhammadiyah-affiliated universities in Indonesia, stated, "Hence the seminar and training during the 'Religion and Women Week' emphasize the importance of collecting and allocating zakat funds for victims of violence, especially women and children. We hope that the synergy we have with Unilever Indonesia will be of benefit in our collective efforts to empower women on a larger scale. We hope that this series of activities will boost the spirit of the women beneficiaries to be more empowered."
The series of "Religion and Women Week" seminar and training activities took place in Jakarta, South Tangerang, Bogor, Depok, Semarang, Bandung, and Surabaya, involving PSIPP partners from different provinces. Addressing several critical issues related to sexual violence and the economic empowerment of women, the activities targeted more than 900 participants from various backgrounds, including students, lecturers, teachers, students, as well as religious students and leaders of Islamic boarding schools, within the Muhammadiyah community.
Kristy Nelwan, Head of Communication and Chair of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Board at Unilever Indonesia, expressed, "Gender justice issues, along with the elimination of discrimination and stigma, including sexual violence against women, are among the things we advocate through various programs and partnerships, including with Muhammadiyah Institute of Technology and Business (ITB) Ahmad Dahlan University. We believe that programs like these contribute significantly to the realization of a fair and inclusive environment in Indonesia, especially for women."
Adi Musharianto, Head of Task Force for Prevention & Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) at ITB Ahmad Dahlan Jakarta, shared his perspective, "Training like this is important for the broader community to bridge the gap in understanding issues of sexual and gender-based violence. Many people think that sexual and gender-based violence is limited to forced or casual contact with sensitive organs. However, the definition of sexual and gender-based violence is much broader. More than actions, every word, the way someone stares, body language, treatment, narrative text or emoticon, over-superiority, justification, and others are also variables of sexual and gender-based violence, which can occur against both men and women."
The long-term collaboration between Muhammadiyah Institute of Technology and Business (ITB) Ahmad Dahlan University and Unilever Indonesia includes entrepreneurship, education, and learning, as well as support for female victims of sexual violence, incest, or domestic violence through zakat funds for women and child victims, as well as waqf (endowment) fund allocated for the economic empowerment of women who are the backbone of their families.
"In line with Unilever Indonesia's goal of continuing to grow with Indonesia, we hope that this partnership can continue to have an even greater impact on the wider community," concluded Kristy.