Debate on sexual harassment Bill to resume in Indonesia after six years

A Kereta Commuter Indonesia (KCI) official distributes pamphlets to inform train passengers about what to do in an occurrence of sexual harassment at Jakarta Kota Station, Central Jakarta, on Dec 27, 2019. - The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA (Bloomberg): Indonesia’s parliament will resume deliberation of a bill against sexual harassment on Tuesday (Jan 11), as President Joko Widodo pushes to conclude a legislative process that’s languished for six years amid strong opposition from religious groups.

Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, last week publicly urged his ministers to speed up negotiations with parliament over the draft law.

The bill as it stands now would allow immediate action be taken over reported cases of sexual harassment based on a single piece of evidence, down from the current requirement of three. It is aimed at giving priority to protecting victims and includes clauses on guidance for their healing process.