Visiting Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara

Two weeks ago, me and my husband & Hillary visited Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara (GFJA) to see photo exhibition there. One of participant of this exhibition is Rika Panda. She is one of GFJA's members and one of my best friends. We met at the first time when we worked in Tempo (newspaper, magazine & online). Rika took photo shoots about early marriage. Her models are young women who have experience doing early marriage. Rika also told me that she had to approach these young women (and their husbands) for 4 months before they were willing to be photographed and told their story why they had to do this early marriage.

Photo number 1 (the leftmost) captured about a young woman named Sefa Fauziah (16 years old). Sefa is a victim of sexual abuse who was forced to marry with man who did this sexual harrasment at the age of 15 years. As a result of the sexual harassment, Sefa had to conceive and bear a baby who is now 10 months old. Sefa told that she is still revenge because she had to marry and have child because of this sexual harrasment.

Photo number 2 (top center) captured about a young woman named Widia Astuti (17 years old) who got married when she was 15 years old. Widia finally married with Hendrik because of free-sex life which caused Widia pregnant before marriage. Until now, they don't have a marriage certificate and a family card. They live in a rented house with their child, Alif (1 year old). Widia admitted that she didn't dare to hold her baby after her baby was born, and finally dare to hold her baby after her baby was two months.

Photo number 3 (top right) captured about a young woman named Eka Rahmawaty (16 years old). Same as Widia, Eka  should marry with her husband (Munawarwaris) due to free-sex life.

Photo number 4 (bottom center) captured about a young woman named Nuraeni (18 years old). Nuraeni was forced by her parents to marry with Agung (her husband) when she was 15 years old.

Photo number 5 (bottom right) captured about a young woman named Halimah Tusadiah (14 years old). In her hometown in Sapudi Island (Madura, East Java), it is a usual thing that a young woman (start from age of 12 years) has to marry. Halimah was newly married 6 months ago. Halimah and her husband (Wahyudi, 21 years old) agreed to postpone having children because of financial reasons and Halimah is still deemed not ready physically and mentally.

Hillary and Auntie Rika :)