Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – A fund-raising drive is planned to raise money for the support of women's activists dealing with the issue of gender violence. Jointly organized by the National Commission on Violence against Women and 26 other organizations, the 16-day fund-raising campaign will include an art exhibition beginning Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The commission's deputy chairwoman, Sylvana Maria Apituley, said Friday this year's campaign was aimed at providing additional support for NGOs dealing with women issues, as well as for women human rights defenders nationwide, who often face violence themselves.

"Amid the increasing number of cases of violence against women, the NGOs, whose duty is to provide support for victims of violence, still lack facilities. Sometimes, women activists have to use their own resources for the sake of defending victims," Sylvana said.

"This campaign is a tribute to the activists and is expected to raise public awareness" of their work.

Women activists are much more vulnerable to violence and discrimination than their male counterparts, according to a 2005-2006 study conducted by the commission.

The study was a result of a series of discussions with 58 women activists from around the country.

Specifically, it found they are more vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, sexual torture and sexual harassment.

According to data from the commission, there were 22,512 cases of violence against women during 2006, as reported by 258 NGOs nationwide.

"Besides, the campaign is also aimed at collecting funding to be disbursed to their organizations so they will be able to improve their facilities," Sylvana said.

She said the proceeds of the art exhibition, titled "Karya untuk Kawan" (Artwork for Friends), would be donated to 25 women's crisis centers throughout the country.

Citra Smala Dewi of the Jakarta Institute of Art, which is organizing the exhibition, said the event would display 50 works of art, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures and graphic designs, from 31 artists.

"Some of the works deal with women's issues, especially about the patriarchal culture that remains strong in our society," Citra said.

The art exhibition will be open to the public from Nov. 26 to Dec. 6 at the National Gallery on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur in Central Jakarta. Works are on sale for between Rp 5 million (US$534) and Rp 75 million each.