SETARA Institute, in collaboration with the ASPIRASI West Java Coalition, organized the workshop “Strategic Communication for Enhancing the Participation of Vulnerable Groups in Democracy” on Tuesday–Wednesday, 19–20 November 2024, at Jayakarta Suite, Dago, Bandung.
The workshop brought together representatives from various communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) in West Java that actively work on issues related to freedom of religion or belief, religious communities, persons with disabilities, and advocates for gender equality and diversity.
Strategic communication serves as an essential approach for conveying the aspirations of society, particularly those of vulnerable groups. The ability to conduct inclusive campaigns and advocate for impactful public policies is a key pillar in ensuring that the concerns of vulnerable communities are heard, considered, and integrated into regional development.
During the workshop, participants also engaged in hands-on sessions to develop inclusive campaign content ahead of the Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) and to formulate policy recommendations addressing issues affecting vulnerable groups. These recommendations are intended to continue guiding advocacy efforts toward building a more inclusive Government of West Java. The recommendations are summarized in the following eight points:
- Ensure that all regional government officials in West Java adopt an inclusive perspective in policy formulation and the provision of public services that are fair and equal, without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, race, gender, disability, or health status.
- Urge the government to revise or repeal regional regulations that discriminate against religious minorities, ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, or individuals based on their health conditions.
- Encourage the Government to firmly protect freedom of religion or belief and ensure religious harmony in West Java by eliminating discrimination related to the construction of houses of worship, religious activities, persecution, school bullying, and by guaranteeing the civil rights of followers of indigenous beliefs and religious minority communities.
- Urge the Government to immediately enact a Regional Regulation on Disability, along with implementing the Regional Disability Action Plan (RAD Disability), to guarantee the 22 rights of persons with disabilities and ensure equality-based policies that actively involve persons with disabilities in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
- Accelerate the development of the Regional Action Plan (RAD) on Women’s Empowerment and Protection, ensuring the rights of women—particularly vulnerable women—in the political, legal, economic, social, and cultural spheres.
- Promote an inclusive culture through education by prioritizing the prevention of bullying, intolerance, and sexual violence, while fostering inclusive values among students.
- Monitor and encourage the Government to prioritize critical issues affecting vulnerable groups, including HIV/AIDS prevention, maternal and child mortality, stunting, human trafficking, forced evictions, and other pressing social concerns.
- Promote greater public participation, particularly in the formulation of government programs related to freedom of religion or belief, gender equality, and disability, to ensure that resulting policies are more relevant, impactful, and supported by the optimal use of public resources and budgets for the benefit of the people of West Java.
These policy recommendations will be presented directly during the event “Ngariung Bersama Calon Gubernur dan Wakil Gubernur Jawa Barat” (“Gathering with the Candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of West Java”), scheduled for Thursday, 21 November 2024. It is hoped that the recommendations will be heard directly by the candidates and become priorities in the agenda of the elected Governor and Deputy Governor, contributing to the realization of a more inclusive society in West Java.
Media Contacts:
Merisa Dwi Juanita, Researcher SETARA Institute
Risdo Maulitua, ASPIRASI West Java Coalition