SMART Voters - Sharp, Initiative-Driven, Tolerant, and Measured

SMART Voters: Sharp, Initiative-Driven, Tolerant, and Measured​ 

In 2009, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) launched the Campaign for the Community of Sharp, Initiative-Driven, Tolerant, and Measured (SMART/JITU) Voters to ensure and support the realization of  quality General Elections (Pemilu). This campaign involved various community organizations and individuals in a number of regions creating a social movement in the form of the JITU Voter Community, as part of politically educating the community on how to elect national leaders and representatives who are committed to fulfilling human rights and women’s constitutional rights. 

Ahead of the 2024 General Elections and Regional Head Elections, Komnas Perempuan deems it crucial to continue the JITU campaign, as the issues faced in the previous cycle’s elections and regional head elections have not changed. Komnas Perempuan notes that violence against women increases annually. The 2023 Komnas Perempuan Annual Notes on Violence Against Women (CATAHU) shows that data on violence against women reached 339,782 cases. Discriminatory bylaws in the name of religion, morality, and forced dress codes that result in restrictions, discrimination, harassment, exclusion, and/or neglect of certain groups, especially women, continue to occur.  

Komnas Perempuan data shows that as of early 2023, 305 discriminatory bylaws were found in various regions across Indonesia. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that elections are free from violence and inclusive, including for people with disabilities, the elderly, indigenous communities, and others. 

The JITU campaign provides the public with an understanding of the importance of the Integrity Pact that must be held by prospective national leaders in the 2024 Elections.