Politik Suara Perempuan

Studi Kasus Gerakan “Bacarita” di Kota Kupang sebagai Bentuk Perlawanan Perempuan terhadap Kekerasan Seksual

Abstract

The research entitled “The Politics of Women’s Voices: A Case Study of the ‘Bacarita’ Movement in Kupang City as Women’s Resistance to Sexual Violence” is motivated by the persistent prevalence of sexual violence in Kupang City, which is influenced by patriarchal culture, a culture of silence, stigma, and victim-blaming. The “Bacarita” Movement emerged as a safe space for women and survivors to voice their experiences, build solidarity, and advocate for protection against sexual violence. This study aims to analyze the politics of women’s voices, identify forms of resistance developed through the “Bacarita” Movement, and examine its role in building collective awareness within society. The study employs the New Social Movement Theory using a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving informants engaged in the “Bacarita” Movement and issues related to women’s protection in Kupang City. The findings show that “Bacarita” is not merely a space for sharing experiences but also a political arena through which women reclaim authority over their own lived experiences. Through storytelling, sexual and reproductive health education, survivor assistance, interactive discussions, and digital media, the movement builds collective identity and strengthens solidarity. The “Bacarita” Movement also constructs counter-narratives against patriarchy, stigma, the culture of silence, and victim-blaming, thereby framing sexual violence as a public issue that requires collective struggle.