The Religious Courts are an Important Avenue

for Women Seeking Justice

Jakarta | badilag.net

“In Indonesia, the religious courts are an important avenue for women seeking justice. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court is working in partnership with civil society to enhance access and monitor their performance”, UN Report said.

A few days ago, UN Women, released its first report on progress of the world’s women 2011-2012. UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010.

For many years, the UN has faced serious challenges in its efforts to promote gender equality globally. Gender inequalities remain deeply entrenched in every society. Women lack access to decent work and face occupational segregation and gender wage gaps. They are too often denied access to basic education and health care. Women in all parts of the world suffer violence and discrimination. They are under-represented in political and economic decision-making processes.

Badilag Issues a Guidance for Information Desk

Wahyu Widiana was signing the decree

Jakarta l badilag.net

The Directorate General of the Religious Courts (Badilag) finally succeeds to issue guidance for the Information Desk. The guidance will be applied to all Religious Courts across the country. It is officially stated in a decree number 0017/Dj.A/SK/VII/2011. The Director General of the Religious Courts, Wahyu Widiana signed the decree in front of echelons II, III, and IV in meeting room of Badilag, Thursday afternoon (7/7/2011).

“What we want with this guidance is to prohibit the illegal interaction and communication between litigants and the court’s officials. We hope this guidance will be applied to all Religious Courts”, Wahyu Widiana said.

The Religious Courts Should be the Emergency Exit

Jakarta| badilag.net

The Religious Courts should be the emergency exit when a spouse facing a family problem. “We have to save our family from divorce and the Religious Courts do not aim to separate spouse easily. Divorce in the courts will be the final solution”, the Director General of the Religious Courts, Wahyu Widiana said in a national seminar held by PEKKA (Women Heads of Household) in Balai Kartini, Jakarta (28/6/2011).

The seminar was attended by more than 300 people including PEKKA’s member from 18 provinces, New Men’s Alliance, the Family Justice Movement (Alimat), and some NGOs. “By this national seminar, we intend to echo the harmonized dignified family where men and women are equal”, the National Coordinator of PEKKA, Nani Zulminarni said.

Multi Stakeholder Forum is Absolutely Needed

Jakarta l Badilag.net

Although Badilag and Women Heads of Household (PEKKA) have generally succeeded in promoting justice for the poor in their prominent programs, they still need a Multi-Stakeholder Forum.

“We have to immediately establish a Multi-Stakeholder Forum”, Nani Zulminarni, the Coordinator of PEKKA said when she met Wahyu Widiana, the Director General of Badilag, Friday (24/6/2011)

Wahyu Widiana agreed with Nani’s idea because Badilag’s program in providing justice for the poor had to be understood by other stakeholders. He cited that when litigants were obliged to prepare a “letter of destitute” as a requirement to file their cases without paying some money known as “prodeo case, they even had to pay more money to get the letter.

“It is really ironic. Our programs to help poor become worthless then because they do not meet the target”, Wahyu Widiana said.

Chief Justice Inaugurated Sulistyo

Jakarta l Badilag.net

Chief Justice, Harifin A Tumpa inaugurated Sulistyo as the new Director General of the Administrative and Military Court, Thursday (23/6/2011).

The inauguration held at Kusuman Atmadja room was attended by Vice Chief Justice for Judicial Affairs, Vice Chief Justice for Non Judicial Affairs, Deputy Chief Justices, echelons I, II and all guests.

Sulistyo who was born in Bantul in August 15, 1955 substituted Sonson Basar who retired this year. Before it, Sulistyo was a judge at the High Administrative Court of Jakarta.