UNiTE Film Fellowship: 5 Short Films Challenge Digital Violence Against Women in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations in Indonesia, alongside the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA), UN Women, and UNFPA, held the UNiTE 2025 Film Screening and Discussion on December 5, 2025, at CGV, FX Sudirman. The event, part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, aimed to deepen public awareness and strengthen collective action against violence against women and girls (VAWG), including the rapidly growing threat of digital violence.

The screening served as the official launch for five short films produced under the "UNiTE Short Film Fellowship 2025." This initiative received support from Global Affairs Canada and was implemented in collaboration with Siklus Indonesia, Minikino, and several UN agencies, including ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UN Volunteers, and WHO.

Fostering Creative Advocacy

The fellowship was launched on September 18, 2025, with UN Women and UNFPA Indonesia inviting filmmakers to submit story ideas focused on the theme of VAWG.

Out of more than 180 applicants, five filmmaker groups were selected through a rigorous process that included proposal reviews and interviews. The selected teams participated in a series of in-person and online workshops designed to enhance their filmmaking skills and deepen their understanding of VAWG issues.

Each team received production funding, tailored mentorship from experienced filmmakers, and guidance from a gender equality expert to ensure responsible and impactful narratives. After submitting their final films on November 28, the works are now being screened for the public from December 5-7, 2025.

The Films: Challenging Systemic Violence

Created by five Indonesian filmmakers, the short films explore the lived realities of women and girls affected by violence across public, private, and increasingly, digital spaces. By sharing these stories, the films challenge audiences to view gender-based violence not merely as isolated incidents but as a pervasive, systemic challenge requiring collective action.

This year's global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” underscores how technological change has unfortunately expanded the landscape of abuse, encompassing issues from online stalking and harassment to image-based exploitation and psychological violence.

An Alarming Reality in Indonesia

The scale of VAWG in Indonesia remains alarming:

• The 2024 National Survey on Women’s Life Experiences (SPHPN) found that one in four women aged 15-64 has experienced violence in her lifetime.

• The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded over 445,000 cases of violence against women in 2024.

• Civil society organization SAFEnet received nearly 2,000 reports of online gender-based violence, with more than half involving women.

The country has strengthened its legal framework through key legislation such as the Law on Domestic Violence, the Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS), and the Law on Electronic Information and Transactions (UU ITE), which includes articles covering digital violence. Furthermore, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) provides a portal for reporting negative content, aduankonten.id. Despite these measures, challenges in implementation, harmful social norms, and underreporting continue to undermine progress, particularly in cases involving digital harm.

Leaders Call for Collective Action

Veronica Tan, the Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, emphasized the necessity of collaboration in addressing VAWG.

"The digital world is like a double-edged sword—it comes with risks but it also offers us opportunities. We must use digital platforms together for our collective campaign. And we must use them responsibly," she stated. "Every child in Indonesia is our child. That’s why it’s important for us to collaborate in our collective movement to end violence against women and girls.”

The Deputy Minister further stressed that legal reform must be paired with public engagement and education to dismantle the social norms that allow violence to persist. She highlighted that culture, media, and narrative are powerful forces in shaping societal understanding of gender equality and justice, making creative initiatives like the film fellowship critical for broadening awareness beyond policy circles.

Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Representative in Indonesia, underlined the power of storytelling. "Stories help us relate easily with issues of violence against women. Let’s remind ourselves that what we see in these films, they are not merely stories. They are reflections of what’s going on in the community," he said. "We need to remember that this is our collective responsibility as a community to make sure that women and girls live free from violence and discrimination.”

Ulziisuren Jamsran, UN Women Indonesia Representative and Liaison to ASEAN, stated that violence against women and girls is rooted in inequality reinforced through silence, stressing the importance of challenging harmful norms.

“The stories on screen can open safe spaces for conversations. Film has the power to shift perceptions, stir empathy that leads to action, and inspire every viewer to examine their role in shaping an environment where women and girls can live free from violence and break the fear that silences them.”

The screening concluded with a discussion involving the filmmakers, students, civil society organizations, development partners, and policymakers, providing a forum for open dialogue on prevention, justice, and survivor-centered responses.

The UNiTE Short Film Fellowship 2025 is a strategic investment in youth leadership, creative advocacy, and cultural change, cultivating voices that can challenge silence and inspire solidarity across communities.

UNiTE Short Film Fellowship 2025 Recipients

The five UNiTE Short Film Fellowship 2025 recipient teams are:

Read: A Woman or Girl Killed Every 10 Minutes, UN Report Finds

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