The Indonesian Women Ulama Congress (KUPI) and ALIMAT, in collaboration with the Center for Gender and Child Studies (PSGA) at UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, held a socialization event on the results of KUPI’s fatwa regarding the protection of women from P2GP (female genital cutting and mutilation) that is harmful without medical justification, in Cikande, Serang, Banten, from September 13-15, 2024.
In this collaborative activity, KUPI involved grassroots leaders, including academics, leaders of civil society organizations, and Islamic boarding schools. Additionally, the Indonesian Midwives Association at the provincial and regional levels in Pandeglang and Lebak participated. Serta Ikatan Bidan Indonesia di tingkat provinsi dan wilayah Pandeglang dan Lebak.
Participants came from UIN SMH, Serang Raya University (UNSERA), Aisyiyah Banten Health Polytechnic, PD IBI Banten, and MUI. Additionally, from PWNU Muslimat, PWNU Fatayat, PW Aisyiyah, PW Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, and Muslimat Mathla’ul Anwar. Additionally, participants came from the PP Syeikh Arsjad Menes Pandelang and the PP Al-Riyadhul Jannah Lebak.
The selection of Banten as the target for the outreach program was based on the results of the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2013, which indicated that the prevalence of P2GP practices occurred in various regions across Indonesia.
This was further supported by qualitative and quantitative research (2017) conducted in 10 provinces in Indonesia by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Center for Women’s Studies (PSKK) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), which identified Banten as one of the provinces with the highest prevalence of P2GP practices. In Pandeglang, the prevalence reached 90.7%, and in Lebak District, it was 87.6%.
KUPI’s Service Space
As a movement and network, KUPI has service spaces in universities, religious study groups, Islamic boarding schools, communities, and among young people. In November 2022, KUPI formulated and issued a religious stance and opinion (fatwa) stating that it is prohibited/haram to perform P2GP procedures that are harmful without medical justification.
This aligns with the mandate of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and various international policies/agreements regarding the prohibition of discrimination against women.
In response to efforts to prevent P2GP, the state has implemented regulations through the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) in accordance with the five priority issues outlined in the President of the Republic of Indonesia’s 2020-2024 guidelines, which emphasize reducing violence against women and children. Additionally, the latest regulation, Government Regulation (GR) No. 28 of 2024, explicitly prohibits the practice of female circumcision.
During the awareness-raising activities, participants received comprehensive information about FGM, including policy analysis. Then, regarding the government’s roadmap for preventing P2GP, cultural practices, human rights, and medical perspectives. As well as the KUPI perspective, which delves deeply into the religious arguments that have long been justified by those who practice P2GP.
At the end of the event, all participants committed to working together to raise awareness in their respective institutions, campuses, and communities. This effort aims to ensure that the prevention of P2GP, which poses risks and harms to women both physically and psychologically, can continue sustainably. Thus, Banten can become a province with zero P2GP.
It is worth noting that this activity received full support from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) and UNFPA. (Release)
Source: mubadalah.id