Irma Sari

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Starting Point

Aceh Women of Peace Foundation (AWPF) was established in 2009 by three founders. AWPF was founded out of concern for the conflict's women victims, who were denied aid, assistance, and access to education while remaining traumatised by the conflict. Women victims of conflict do not have access to village resources, nor are they properly represented in the village structures. AWPF exists to support women who have been victims of conflict and to encourage them to have the courage to speak up in forums to express their aspirations.

In its early years, AWPF focused on advocating for women's rights, such as providing adequate toilets where needed. However, over time, the AWPF has taken on several cases involving women. These include sexual violence, child marriage, and domestic violence. 

Peace Journey

As a small organisation working with small communities, AWPF contributes greatly to educating society, especially the lower middle class, about gender equality as well as peace. Through programs such as peacebuilding, AWPF often holds trainings such as public speaking, knowing the rights of the community, where to report if they get violence, and advocating for the voice of the community to the leadership.

Aside from that, AWPF actively assists victims of sexual violence and organizes capacity-building programs for religious and traditional leaders. This is important given the high patriarchal culture in the community and the community's obedience to religious and traditional leaders.  AWPF urges clerics and traditional leaders not to marry off perpetrators of sexual violence to their victims.

Success Stories

To survive for 14 years, AWPF has not had an easy journey. AWPF has faced many challenges, including slander from local leaders, which was layered with discrimination from the community because AWPF is run by women, funding difficulties at the outset, and regeneration. Despite this, the AWPF succeeded in assisting many people, particularly women, in obtaining their rights.

Because of AWPF's assistance and advocacy, some women who participated in AWPF programs could escape their predicament. AWPF was successful in producing women who were willing to fight and resolve cases of sexual violence; some women rose to the position of Tuha Peut Gampong (village government officials). There are even women who have successfully run for legislative positions.