Budawati: Strengthening Women’s Human Rights Begins with Conscious Communication and a Sense of Safety
KataBali.com, Denpasar - The protection of women’s human rights cannot rely solely on regulations and socialization efforts; it must begin with changing the way we communicate and creating a sense of safety for women in every space of interaction. This was conveyed by Ni Nengah Budawati, SH, MH, Director of LBH Bali Women Crisis Center (BWCC), during the Capacity Building on Women’s Human Rights in Bali Province event held on Thursday (23/10/2025) at Harris Hotel & Conventions Denpasar.
The event was part of the Human Rights Dissemination and Strengthening Program organized by the Directorate of Human Rights Capacity Strengthening for Society, Communities, and Business Actors — Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia.
In her presentation, Budawati highlighted that many women lose their voices not because they are unable to speak, but because social communication systems remain biased and place women in subordinate positions.
“Women often lose their voices not because they cannot speak, but because their space for communication is silenced by cultural bias and unequal power relations,” Budawati emphasized.
She also underlined the importance of empathy-based and human rights–aware communication in addressing cases of violence against women. According to her, legal approaches must be able to deliver restorative justice — one that heals rather than re-traumatizes survivors.
“Justice is not only about verdicts but also about processes that humanize,” she said.
Budawati called on local governments, law enforcement, the media, and communities to collectively strengthen inclusive, stigma-free public communication, enabling women to feel safe in expressing their aspirations and experiences.
In addition to Budawati, the event also featured other speakers, including Putri Suastini Koster, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Dr. I Gusti Ayu Diah Werdhi S.W.S, SE, MM, Expert Team of the Governor of Bali on Women and Children and Chair of the Dedikasi Wanita Srikandi Foundation.
The full-day event concluded with a collaborative call to strengthen cross-sector synergy in advancing equality and protecting women’s rights in Bali.