BWCC

BalihBalihan.com, Tabanan - The Bali Women Crisis Centre Legal Aid Institute (LBH BWCC) held a workshop titled “Building Awareness and Resilience in Facing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)” as part of the program “Empowered Women for Well-being” on Monday, 20 October 2025, at Kubu Bali WCC, Penatahan Village, Penebel District, Tabanan Regency, Bali.

The activity was made possible through a collaboration between Grab Indonesia and BenihBaik.com, both of which are committed to supporting efforts to prevent and respond to GBV through the program “Inspirasi Kartini: Building the Independence of Indonesian Women.” The workshop was attended by GBV survivors assisted by LBH BWCC and female students from Dhyana Pura University as participants. It aimed to strengthen understanding of gender-based violence, women’s legal rights, and the position of women within Bali’s customary law system.

In her remarks, Ni Nengah Budawati, Director of LBH BWCC, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about protecting women from GBV, including within the local context of customary law.

“We are not opposing tradition, but reaffirming that living traditions should also be fair to women. Many customary rules can be reinterpreted to align better with humanity and equality,” Budawati said.

She added that many women in Balinese communities still lose their basic rights, such as inheritance rights, housing rights, and child custody, due to gender-biased customary norms. These conditions often result in forms of economic, social, and psychological violence that are rarely recognized but fall within the scope of gender-based violence.

Budawati further stressed that women’s empowerment through legal education and awareness of GBV is a key step in both recovery and prevention efforts. “Women must have the courage to speak up, understand their rights, and know where to seek help. Gender-sensitive legal education is a concrete form of violence prevention,” she asserted.

One participant, Komang (name changed for confidentiality), a survivor, shared that the workshop gave her newfound courage. “I used to think my experience was a personal burden. But after joining this event, I know I’m not alone, and I have the right to be protected,” she said emotionally.

Meanwhile, Tu Ayu, a student from Dhyana Pura University, encouraged other women not to hesitate to seek help. “My message to other women is don’t be afraid to report and seek support from psychologists if you experience violence,” she said.

Through this initiative, LBH BWCC hopes that more women and young people will understand their rights and feel empowered to drive social change that promotes justice and gender equality. LBH BWCC also calls on communities, especially local groups and educational institutions, to continue creating safe and supportive spaces for women.

Public support, the organization emphasized, is crucial to ensuring that efforts to prevent gender-based violence remain sustainable.