Aceh’s new curfew on women: Discriminatory or justified?

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia – After 11 pm, the streets of Banda Aceh, the capital of the only province in Indonesia that imposes the Islamic Sharia law, no women should be seen out on the streets without muhrim.

Muhrim refers to any man who is related by blood or marriage.

At the start of June, internet cafes, tourist sites, sports facilities and entertainment venues were told to refuse service to women after 11 pm unless they are accompanied by a husband or male family member. Women will also be barred from working in such businesses after the cut-off time.

The bylaw is the latest restriction on women in the city, where girls are also banned from wearing tight pants.

Rights activists are up in arms, but authorities claim it’s for the benefit of women themselves.

‘Protection’

Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal said decision had been “politicized” and was aimed at shielding women from sexual harassment.

“Our aim is to provide protection to female employees, especially those who work in area such as cafes, restaurants, Internet cafes and tourist attractions,” she said.

Women who break the rules would be reprimanded but businesses that insisted on making their female employees work beyond the curfew risked losing their licence.

The Home Affairs minister, who has the authority to cancel local bylaws that contradict national laws, has also defended the curfew.

“This is in the context of the high crime rate and safety of the women in Aceh. It just means they shouldn’t be out alone at night,” Tjahjo Kumolo said, according to Kompas.com.

He added that the curfew was only temporary and would be evaluated after two to three months.

Why not educate men?

But the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) argues that this is a form of discrimination against women.

“If we talk about the Constitution, men and women have equal rights, including political rights and freedom of expression. This means that if the government sets different hours for men and women, then it’s discriminatory because there are restrictions,” Komnas Perempuan deputy chairwoman Masruchah told Rappler.

“The intention is to protect, but this is not protecting. What about the women who work until evening as political activists or journalists? This not only limits work, but also their right of expression, especially as we see decisions are often made at night. “

So how should the government protect women?

“If the government sees women as potential victims of violence, then they should be educating the potential perpetrators. Don’t let women who have already been victimized become victims again,” she said.

Komnas Perempuan chief Azriana added that the government should stop meddling in women’s affairs.

“If the intention of the Aceh government is to provide protection for women, it must instead educate the public and men to respect women or provide security at the nightspots,” she said. – Reports from Adelia Putri and Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com