The commemoration of International Women’s Day invites us to reflect once again: has our understanding of gender awareness truly been formed? Have we created safe spaces for one another—especially for women?
Although not a new issue, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly against women, continues to rise. Komnas Perempuan recorded in its 2024 CATAHU report that 445,502 cases occurred throughout 2024. This number increased by 43,527 cases from the previous year, or about 9.77%. Data on Gender-Based Violence against Women in court rulings reached 291,213 cases, significantly higher than reported cases (38,788) and prosecutions (96 cases) (sources: https://tirto.id/komnas-perempuan-catat-445502-kasus-kekerasan-pada-2024-g9dj , https://komnasperempuan.go.id/download-file/1316). Komnas Perempuan’s report is a harsh wake-up call, reflecting the ongoing lack of awareness in ensuring comfort and safety—especially for women.
Magdalene.co summarized 10 key facts from Komnas Perempuan’s 2024 CATAHU:,
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Reports of gender-based violence increased during the 2024 elections.
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Indonesia’s legal system still does not recognize femicide as a category.
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Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) are the top perpetrators of violence in the public sphere, with police dominating.
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Domestic Violence (DV) against wives surged to 672 cases.
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Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) continues to rise, with 981 cases.
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Justice delays are worsening: 7 DV cases stalled, and 17 victims were criminalized.
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Indigenous women face layered violence—from land grabbing to discrimination in civil rights fulfillment.
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Violence against Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) increased, largely because of vague provisions in the ITE Law.
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Violence against women with disabilities is highest in East Java, West Java, and Jakarta.
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Sexual minority women experience the most violence in Jakarta, West Java, and Yogyakarta.
The lack of gender awareness in building safety and comfort becomes even more alarming when considering femicide cases. Femicide stems from patterns of gender-based violence. It must be recognized as a state of emergency in both legal and social contexts. Femicide refers to the killing of women based on gender, meaning a woman’s life is taken because she is a woman.
According to Kumparan.com, femicide cases increase each year. Jakarta Feminist reported 187 women as femicide victims. Komnas Perempuan recorded 159 femicide-indicated killings in 2023. From October 1, 2023 to October 1, 2024, Komnas Perempuan recorded 290 cases of killings with indications of femicide.
Hundreds of femicide cases throughout 2024 highlight a dire crisis needing urgent action. The UN Human Rights Council defines femicide as planned killings often committed by men against women out of revenge, hatred, or a belief that women are property—resulting in the perceived right to control or harm them.
Entering 2025, we were shocked by several femicide cases committed by military personnel. A Navy soldier murdered a woman in Sorong, Papua. An Army soldier killed his girlfriend in Pondok Aren, South Tangerang. Recently, a female journalist in Banjarbaru, Kalimantan, was murdered by a Navy soldier. In just the first three months of 2025, three femicide cases by military personnel occurred. Even though the case in Banjarbaru is still under investigation, the pattern is alarming and demands national attention. This raises an essential question: How do we identify whether a killing is femicide?
Komnas Perempuan outlines six indicators to identify femicide cases:
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The killing involves elements of hatred or control over women.
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The victim’s body or sexuality is demeaned.
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The killing results from escalating prior violence.
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A history of threats or prior violence against the victim exists.
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There is a power imbalance between perpetrator and victim (age, income, education, social status).
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The victim’s body is treated in ways that degrade dignity (mutilation, disposal, stripping, etc.).
Femicide, as gender-based violence, is rooted in male-dominated power relations within a patriarchal culture. According to Michael Kaufman (1999), there are 7 background factors, known as the 7 Ps:
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Patriarchy: A social system placing men as primary power holders, with women treated as secondary or property.
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Privilege: Male privilege reinforced by norms suggesting men may “discipline” women through violence.
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Permission: Societal, legal, and religious permissiveness toward violence against women.
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Paradox of men’s power: Men’s display of power may stem from fear, insecurity, and emotional isolation.
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Psychic armor of manhood: Violence emerges from emotional distance, highlighting the importance of healthy paternal involvement.
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Past experience: Exposure to violence in childhood normalizes violent behavior.
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Masculinity as a pressure cooker: Toxic masculinity norms idealize emotional suppression, strength, and dominance.
Patriarchal culture in our society is clearly visible, illustrated by a recent public statement by DPR member Ahmad Dhani during a meeting with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (5/3/2025). His comments reflected the objectification of women, reducing them solely to reproductive tools. He suggested naturalizing older foreign football players and pairing them with Indonesian women to produce football-talented children, adding,
“If they’re men—especially Muslim men—they can have four wives.”
This statement exemplifies dangerous gender objectification (source: Instagram).
Such cases and remarks from public officials deepen our concern about gender awareness and highlight the urgent need for education to counter harmful mindsets that normalize violence. International Women’s Day reminds us of the vital role adult women must play in promoting gender education—especially within families and communities.
Discussing femicide at home using real cases from the media is important to help children understand that femicide is a real, gender-rooted threat. Although complex, conversations about femicide should be approached gently—without fear-mongering—through empathetic, open dialogue that builds children’s confidence. This includes teaching them bodily autonomy, consent, personal boundaries, and the right to say no.
Teaching children to recognize red flags in relationships, manipulation, or unhealthy behavior is essential in fostering critical thinking. Many countries already recognize femicide legally, and Indonesia must begin doing the same. Legal recognition, coupled with cultural awareness, helps families understand that violence carries serious consequences and reinforces the importance of respecting human rights.
Source: Magdalene.co – Mendidik Anak Perempuan tentang Femisida.
Happy International Women’s Day!
End Femicide!
End Gender-Based Violence!
