Baihajar Tualeka

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Starting Point

Having her house bombed countless times, Baihajar confessed to participating in violence during the conflict as retaliation. The experience led her to a profound realization that what her community needed most was peace. And to breed peace, one needs intergroup interaction. She began participating as a humanitarian volunteer once the peace memorandum had been signed. During post-conflict Ambon, Baihajar and her two other friends, Sari and Mulyati, noticed the precarious living situation of women and children in refugee camps. Most of their needs were neglected, with barely any rehabilitation efforts available for women who lost their homes, their livelihoods, and the children who dropped out of school. The three of them founded LAPPAN in 2002 out of concern for women and children.

LAPPAN strives for the protection and empowerment of women and children victims of gender-based violence and conflict. LAPPAN initially provided psychosocial aid for both Muslim and Christian women and children refugees during the onset of peace. The foundation later transitioned into providing economic assistance to help women reach financial independence. Twenty years after its establishment, the foundation still believes that community intervention in Ambon must implement the idea of peace and conflict reconciliation to foster amiable interethnic relations.

Peace Journey

Amongst the many cases of gender-based violence that LAPPAN tries to tackle, it acknowledges the need to link issues of GBV with issues of peace, climate change, disability, economy, etc. Hence, LAPPAN could provide empowerment programs under a holistic approach. To address GBV, LAPPAN must first manage the rooted conflict and antagonism at a local level, only then can they transition to the more visible issues of violence.

LAPPAN recognizes the substantial role of community support towards women and women's interests. Baihajar also noted the need to acknowledge women’s contributions to peace and development. In preventing GBV at the village level, for example, LAPPAN involves community networks, women alliances, and the village head for capacity-building efforts. LAPPAN also collaborated with local government units in advocating gender-responsive policies and budget allocation.  

Success Stories

Baihajar perceived the foundation’s most notable achievement to be the sustainability of its programs. LAPPAN always ensures that the communities it supports can sustain its initiatives in the long run. The foundation trained Salafi women who wear niqabs with agricultural skills, taught teachers in madrasahs the importance of interethnic peace, implemented peaceful values within the curriculum of formal education in 14 schools in Salahutu, and held numerous interethnic dialogues for children and youths.

The process wasn’t always smooth sailing. Baihajar herself had a hard time transitioning from a place of violence to that of peace. She and her fellow LAPPAN activists often receive threats for advocating for women and children, not to mention the competitive climate amongst Ambonese peace activists. However, they chose to persevere. “We do what we can, as long as we remain impactful to other people,” said Baihajar.