---

Deputy Chief Justice Aswanto presenting a certificate to a participant of a program for improving citizens’ understanding of constitutional rights for Greater Jakarta interfaith women activists, Friday (18/10) in Sentul, Bogor. Photo by Humas MK/Ifa.

SENTUL, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—The program for improving citizens’ understanding of constitutional rights for Greater Jakarta interfaith women activists organized by the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center was concluded by Deputy Chief Constitutional Justice Aswanto, Friday (18/10/2019) in Sentul, Bogor.

In his key address, Justice Aswanto said that the Constitutional Court is often called the biological child of the Reformation and was born because of the commitment of the country\'s founders who felt that the state was a rule of law in the sense of rechstaat.

"Where the law must be obeyed, whether it is fair or not, whether it protects [us] or not we still have to obey [it]. However, this does not suit the community. So, the law in the sense of rechstaat only gives authority to the higher-ups. Therefore, Indonesia must follow changes among the people who want to get the fairest justice, so that a law is formed in the sense of the rule of law. The law is in accordance with what is raised by the community although there are still many shortcomings. Therefore, the Constitutional Court was created with the hope to be able to provide justice for the people," he explained.

Justice Aswanto added that the Constitutional Court\'s decisions are immediately binding and must be obeyed by everyone. "The Constitutional Court\'s decisions, if granted, for example the requirements to become a candidate for governor, [where they] must fill in the name of a husband or wife. This is a constitutional guarantee to obtain and restore the rights of society, especially women who want to be leaders," he explained.

In addition, Aswanto stressed that all women\'s rights are guaranteed in the Constitution as the Constitution guarantees human rights. "The essence of human rights is love. And if it is created in the family, then all will be comfortable and safe. Not only families, even the nation will be safe," said the Hasanuddin University Professor.

Head of the Pancasila and Constitution Education Center Kurniasih Panti Rahayu delivered a report on the program. Ayu said the program was a concrete manifestation of the Constitutional Court in upholding the values of Pancasila and the Constitution. The Court sought to build constitutional understanding for among interfaith women activists.

"We hope that women activists will be agents of change and mobilize the surrounding community to transfer their understanding of Pancasila and the Constitution. If possible, mothers can pass on all their knowledge to their family and closest people," Ayu suggested.

Representing the participants, Estheria Manurung said that she had not known the functions and authorities of the Constitutional Court. "Therefore, we became aware of the law through discussions with reliable presenters. Then we can spread out understanding of the Constitution to every region we are in," Esther said.

Esther also said that this program familiarize interfaith women activists with one another to discuss how to make a petition to the Constitutional Court. "On behalf of all [participants] I apologize to the Court, especially the committee, for the trouble. And once again, thank you. We will share all of these results with relatives, neighbors, and those closest to us," she said.

Around 100 women activists from various faiths attended the program. The Islamic Women’s Union (WSI) Chairperson Valina Singka Subekti, the Indonesian Konghucu Women (PERKHIN) Chairperson Suryani, the Indonesian Buddhist Women (WBI) Chairperson Lucy Salim, the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Women\'s Association (WHDI) Secretary General Wikanthi Yogie, the Indonesian Union of Christian Women (PWKI) Central Executive Board (DPP) Chairperson Evie Kawet, and DPP Presidium II member of the Indonesian Union of Catholic Women (WKRI) Katarina Erliana were also in attendance. (Panji/LA)

Translated by: Yuniar Widiastuti

---