Djoko Tjitono/Fitri & GB, Jakarta – Around 200 activists under the banner of the "Women's Pledge" or "Kaulan Perempuan" held a lively demonstration at Hotel Indonesia roundabout in the centre of Jakarta, Friday, to celebrate "Anti Violence Against Women" day. The demonstrators demanded an end to all violence against women.

Many community groups and NGO's participated in the demonstration, notably the Bureau for Women and Children, STSI Reformasi, the Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Apik Legal Aid Foundation, Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation, TRUK and Women's Partnership (Mitra Perempuan).

Before marching to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout which is a favourite spot for demonstrators, they rallied at the Proclamation Monument from 1pm local time. Similar to other rallies, they were equipped with large posters and banners. Their purple banners read "Stop violence against women", "Create a peaceful culture" and "Free the world from violence".

Along their way to the HI roundabout, the rally participants shouted slogans such as, "Stop violence against women, long live Indonesian women". Purple ribbons, the symbol of peace, were tied to left arms of demonstrators.

The rally became even more interesting when some of the demonstrators performed a small play or display known in Indonesia as "happening art". A woman was tied up with yellow, white and blue cloths. On the colorful cloths, passersby could read "You have to accept the second position", "Sexual Object" and "the Law does not side with you". Slowly, the woman was unwrapped from the cloths, which symbolized the liberation of women from their shackles.