UN Organization Interested in Performing Cooperation with Badilag
Jakarta l Badilag.net (14/11/2011)
An organization under the United Nations engaged in the world population, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), expressed its interest in cooperation with Religious Court Body (Badilag).
Two representatives of UNFPA, Martha Santoso Ismail and Ramot Nurlela Arita, met with the Director General of Badilag Wahyu Widiana in his office on Friday (11/11/2011). Both were accompanied by Husein Muhammad and Marzuki Wahid from Rahima Institute.
"We want to conduct cooperation in terms of strengthening women's rights in religious courts," said Martha.
He reveals UNFPA is an organization that has been in Indonesia since 1972. Initially, UNFPA focused on family planning or what so called Keluarga Berencana. Recently, this organization emphasizes on reproduction health issues.
."Currently we are developing women crisis centers in a number of Islamic school boardings (pesantren) in Indramayu, Cirebon, Tasikmalaya, and several areas," he said.
In addition, UNFPA is also binding cooperation with the National Commission for Women and various NGOs which are concentrating on women's issues.
Ramot Nurlela Aritonang added that UNFPA was currently exploring collaboration with the Police, the Attorney General, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Social Affairs. "We are also working with BP4 in terms of strengthening women's rights," he said.
In particular cooperation with the Supreme Court, UNFPA has made contact with the Research Development Education and Training Body for Law and Justice (Balitbang Diklat Kumdil). Thus, Badilag is the second organization under the Supreme Court.
Regarding the cooperation scheme, Marzuki Wahid explained that UNFPA will conduct training for trainers. For the religious courts, the participants are the judges and the syllabus will be prepared by both parties.
"We want gender awareness and understanding of domestic violence can be institutionalized," said Marzuki, who is also editor of the book "Courting Reform" Indonesian edition.
Husein Muhamad added that the training materials will be adapted to the needs of providers and recipients of services. In this case, the interest of both judiciary apparatus and justice seekers will be seriously recognized.
Responding the willingness of UNFPA representatives, the Director General said he was so happy with thi idea. "We welcome, as it relates to the women’s rights and the poor in accessing justice through religious courts," DG said.
Currently, Badilag has already had a similar partnership with the Center for Women’s Studies from State Islamic University (UIN) Yogyakarta. The presence of UNFPA, according to Wahyu Widiana, will increase the chances of judges to receive training related to women's rights.
(Shofa’u Qolbi)