taty p suandi and cliff edward kasakeyan two voices against silence
As a psychologist and pastor, Taty P. Suandi and Cliff Edward Kasakeyan are campaigning against gender-based and sexualized violence in Indonesia. They listen, educate and work tirelessly on behalf of those affected.
Taty P. Suandi has a clear vision and a clear mission. As a psychologist at the Pasundan Durebang Center in Bandung, West Java, she is committed to helping women and children who have experienced gender-based and sexualized violence. Taty P. Suandi advises people affected by violence at the center or visits them at home, accompanies them to court hearings and carries out prevention and awareness-raising work.
The center was founded by the Protestant Reformed Pasundan Church (GKP), with which Mission 21 has a long-standing relationship. West Java is a distinctly Islamic region, with Christians forming a small minority. However, instead of isolating itself, the Pasundan Church focuses on dialog. The center is living proof that interfaith cooperation works. Taty P. Suandi, herself a Muslim, has been involved since the center was founded in 2013.
«20 years ago, we thought there weren't many cases of violence,» says the committed woman. «We thought we were doing well. But it was just the tip of the iceberg.» When the center set up an emergency hotline, it became clear that reports of violence were piling up in an unexpectedly short space of time.
Millions of women in a dangerous situation
The figures speak for themselves: several million Indonesian women who work as domestic workers or caregivers in Malaysia or Hong Kong due to their precarious financial situation do not know what to expect in their destination country. They have poor access to information and are therefore very vulnerable. They often experience exploitation and violence. The statistics show just how dangerous the situation is: on average, one deceased Indonesian migrant has to be repatriated from Malaysia every day.
But it's not just about labor migration. In Indonesia, around 1.2 million Indonesian women are underage when they get married every year. Gender-based and sexualized violence is also a problem in general.
«We receive new cases every month,» says Cliff Edward Kasakeyan. He is a pastor at Pasundan Church and also works at Pasundan Durebang. He is particularly angry when children are affected.
Taty P. Suandi, Cliff Edward Kasakeyan and the team of the Pasundan Durebang Center during counseling sessions and their commitment against violence, 2026. Photos: Rosa Panggabean for Mission 21.
Roots of violence
The reasons for gender-based and sexualized violence include a lack of education about sexuality and the tabooing of sexualized violence. In addition, violence often occurs in close surroundings. Out of dependence on the perpetrator, many victims remain silent - for fear that they will not be believed or that they will not receive protection.
Patriarchal ideas massively reinforce gender inequality. «Patriarchal systems not only victimize women, but also men,» adds Taty P. Suandi. «Men have to be strong, logical and must not show weakness. That harms them too.»
Pasundan Durebang is committed to ensuring that men are also part of the solution. Cliff Edward Kasakeyan, for example, advises perpetrators in order to break the vicious cycle of violence. He also carries out awareness and prevention campaigns in schools, churches and public spaces.
Karmila Jusup, project coordinator and local person responsible for overcoming gender-based violence for Mission 21, founded the center. She explains: «We offer a holistic approach - psychological, medical and legal support, including assistance in court.» At the Pasundan Durebang Center, women and children not only find protection in emergencies and temporary accommodation, but also programs to strengthen self-determination and advice directly in their homes.
What gives hope
«Justice must be fought for,» says Cliff Edward Kasakeyan resolutely. «We can't stop fighting for vulnerable people. It may be tiring, but that's okay.»
He is particularly moved when communities actively approach the center: «They say with enthusiasm: Come, give us training, educate us! This means that an awareness has been created - in society, in organizations, in churches. Moments like that give me energy.»
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