Introducing myself and my journal: HerStory

About Me:
Born in August 9th, 1977, I am a feminist activist, law scholar, human rights defender, researcher, advisor, trainer, writer, poet, author, editor who has dedicated my life in feminist movement for almost two decades. I am the founder of INSTITUT PEREMPUAN (WOMEN’S INSTITUTE), a respected feminist organization working for women’s rights since 1998. I initiated and actively participates in national advocacy network, such as JKP3, CWGI, and JALA-PRT and also in regional and international networks, such as GAATW. Currently I am the Executive of Board of INSTITUT PEREMPUAN (WOMEN’S INSTITUTE) and SEPERTI PAGI Foundation. Moreover I am an independent consultant assigned by the NGOs, Government, Parliament, United Nations agencies and countless distinguished international organizations. Since 2012 I becomes the member of Editorial Board of SINAR HARAPAN Daily News, one of remarkable mass media in Indonesia. Recently I am nominated as Peace Role Model for N-Peace Award 2013 by the N-Peace Network, supported by UNDP.

Involved in student movement in Bandung, I have finished Law and also Economic Bachelor degree from Economic Faculty of Parahyangan Catholic University (2001), Law Faculty of Padjajaran University (2004), Law Master’s degree from Padjajaran University (2006) and had the opportunity to became a Lecture at Law Faculty, of Parahyangan Catholic University where I focused in Human Rights Law; Legal Research and Writing Method; Civil Law; Legal Theory; and Indonesian Legal System. She has also become guest lecturer and expert examiner in many universities.
Since my study at Saint Ursula Senior High School, I served as Chairperson of Science Student Committee starting my debut as Main Researcher going to national science competition. Since then I have conducted numerous research especially using feminist research theory and method; and also feminist legal theory and practices, both by individual and team. Some of them are “Protection on Domestic Workers”, “Indonesian Existing Legislations Concerning Children in the Full Compliance to Convention on the Rights of Child, Concluding Observations and other child rights instruments, as part of Alternative Report to UN Child Committee”, “The Compliances of Consumer Protection Law on the Indonesian National Education”, “Tackling Women and Child Trafficking: West Java Advocacy Research”, “Feminism and Human Rights: a Feminist Legal Theory and Practices Research”, “Integrated Criminal Justice System with Gender Perspective in Handling Violence Against Women Cases: Study of Indonesian Legal System”, “Integrating Gender in Development: Study on CEDAW’s Development and Implementation”, “Alternative Education by Social Movement in Indonesia in Post Soeharto Regime”, “Feminist Critical Thoughts: a Study on Women and Environment”.

I wrote hundreds articles, published in numerous renowned mass media and journal. With some feminist activists, I established HerStory Journal. Some of my books related to feminism are “Pelacur versus His First Lady?” (Whore versus His First Lady?, 2006), “Percakapan tentang Feminisme dan Neoliberalisme” (Conversation between Feminism and Neo-liberalism), wrote with Arimbi Heroepoetri, “Pergulatan Feminisme dan HAM” (Feminism and Human Rights: Feminist Legal Theory and Practices) and “Memberantas Perdagangan Perempuan dan Anak” (Combating Women and Child Trafficking: Feminist Advocacy Research) 2007. In 2008, my research: Perlindungan Pekerja Rumah Tangga/Anak (Peta Arah Hukum) (Points of Protection on Domestic Workers/Child Domestic Workers: Human Rights Perspective) published by Save the Children-US. In 2011, focus on peace, justice, and human rights, I published my book in English language: “Sense of Love (Thoughts of Love)”. “Seperti Pagi” is my first poetry book. I am also an editor of some publication regarding women, law, and human rights.

Many of my activities involved being resource person in seminars, trainings, and workshops at the national, regional, and international level. Awarded scholarship as Speaker at number of international conferences, I have also invited to write on international journal. Contact: institut_perempuan@yahoo.com. Follow twitter: @ValentSagala