The changes amidst the Indonesian political transition were begun with the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, the institutionalization of democratic political system, and led to the decentralization of governmental administrative functions. One of the side effects of this decentralization is the implementation of many discriminatory local regulations. This trend is under close monitoring by Komnas Perempuan, in order to carry out its mandate to create a condition conducive for the fulfillment of the women’s human rights and the elimination of violence against women. To address such trend, Komnas Perempuan begun an initiative called “Women in the Constitution and the National Legislation” (PKHN). This initiative is a comprehensive effort to address the challenge against women’s constitutional rights in the era of local autonomy. The PKHN aims to: (1) develop and continue the constructive cooperation with state institutions; (2) monitor and report on the implementation of legislations in the provinces and its impacts to the fulfillment of women’s constitutional rights; (3) facilitate and empower the local legislators; and (4) develop reformist communities in order to provide reports to the public and the policy makers on the fulfillment of the women’s constitutional rights.

To attain such goals, Komnas Perempuan conducted several activities as follows:

• Policy advocacy:

Komnas Perempuan was involved in several Compliance Examinations in the Constitutional Assembly (including on the Law no. 1/1974 on Marriage and no. 10/2008 on the National and Local Parliamentary Election, and the Regional Representatives’ Council).

• Policy making dialogue with the state institutions:

To forge a common measure against the challenge of fulfilling the women’s constitutional rights in the era of local autonomy, Komnas Perempuan has initiated a constructive dialogue with the Department of Justice and Human Rights, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Assembly, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc.

• Monitoring process in 16 municipalities, in seven provinces, on the Status of the Fulfillment of Women’s Constitutional Rights in the Era of Local Autonomy.
• Public education through information dissemination on women and constitution by means of various mass media.
• Capacity building of the local and national stake-holders by providing references, trainings, and inter-institutional workshops.