Ajisaka 2023 Festival: Women Sexuality Objectification in the Media Still Often Happens

Yogyakarta, March 11th 2023─The yearly competition, Ajisaka Festival, is held again by Fisipol UGM’s Department of Communication Studies on 10th-11th March 2023. This year, the Ajisaka Festival raised the theme of online gender-based violence (OGBV) under the title “Agnia Abhipraya” which means the light of hope. The events included in the festival are competitions, roadshows, and talk shows which have been held since 2022. 

 OGBV as the central theme was not a random choice. It should be noted that the ever-changing dynamic of the digital society has created a new disruption. The definition of violence and sexual assault before the digital era refers to a real action. However, now the form of violence has changed. Through the Ajisaka Festival talk show titled “Women’s Objectification in Media Framing: Does Online Safe Places for Women Still Exist?”, the topic of media-based sexual assault was discussed, specifically, those that happen to women. 

“We can see now that the media is ever-changing. However, people stay the same. The way they objectify and dehumanize women and other vulnerable groups is getting worse. Although it should be noted that now media watchdogs are working effectively,” said Kalis Mardiasih, a writer and activist that focuses on women’s objectification. According to her observation, women’s objectification comes in many forms and media. Basically, the media will always create framings that capture the attention of the audience, however, one of the ways they do that is by objectifying women.

“The media framing regarding women’s objectification and representation is hard to erase if policymakers do not believe in gender equality. We believe that the contents of the media right now is very important,” said a communication studies lecturer, Dr. Dian Arymami, S.I.P., M.Hum. Gender issue crisis has been advocated by many people, especially when it comes to women’s representation in public space. 

This anti-GBV message also resonated through the five championships held by the Ajisaka Festival; Nakula, Kresna, Arjuna, Sadewa, and Prahasta. All of the final works of the competitors were displayed on the closing night. The final works of the competitors which try to advocate for anti-OGBV through stigma representation in society are all unique.

“There are an array of activities that we have held to spread the awareness of OGBV in Indonesia. I thank the participation of everyone involved. I believe that this action can contribute to a more equal world for us all,” said Nadif Fajar, the Leader of the Communication Studies Student Corps.