Sya’diah Syeh Marhaban
Encyclopedia
During the conflict between the Free Aceh Movement
and the Indonesian government Shadia Marhaban worked as a journalist
and a translator, most famously collaborating with journalist William Nissen on the documentary The Black Road
in Aceh
. In addition to her work as a journalist and a translator, Shadia Marhaban served as a coordinator at SIRA, an organization dedicated to galvanizing support for a popular referendum
on Acehnese independence. In 2001, Shadia organized a peacefully rally in support of a referendum, which 2 million people in Banda Aceh
attended. She also worked to build international support for Acehnese self-determination
, through her work with the “moratorium on dialogue” project.
In 2003, Shadia fled Indonesia
, and sought refuge as a political refugee. While in the United States
, Shadia continued to work to galvanize support for a referendum on Acehnese independence. Shadia was the only woman to actively participate in the GAM negotiating team at the 2005 peace negotiations, which resulted in the ceasing of hostility in Aceh. Following the successful negotiation of the peace agreement, Shadia returned to Aceh from her exile in the United States, and joined a group of activists to form the Aceh Women’s League (LINA).
Since 2006, Shadia has worked as LINA’s president. In that capacity, Shadia oversees LINA’s diverse array of community programs, dedicated to empowering Acehnese
women to act as agents of change. She is also an active participant in the national and international dialogue surrounding issues of women and security. In 2009, Shadia delivered a keynote address at a conference in Finland
, organized by Crisis Management International, (CMI), devoted to “Gender and Mediation – how to improve women’s role in peace negotiations.” In 2010, Shadia presented at conference held in Bogota
, Colombia
, dedicated to “Designing an Innovative Peace Process,” organized by the Berghof Conflict Research Center. In addition to her work at LINA, and her presence in the international arena, Shadia serves as a founding board member for the School of Peace and Democracy in Aceh.
Free Aceh Movement
The Free Aceh Movement , also known as the Aceh Sumatra National Liberation Front , was a separatist group seeking independence for the Aceh region of Sumatra from Indonesia. GAM fought against Indonesian government forces in the Aceh Insurgency from 1976 to 2005, costing over 15,000 lives...
and the Indonesian government Shadia Marhaban worked as a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and a translator, most famously collaborating with journalist William Nissen on the documentary The Black Road
The Black Road
The Black Road is a 2005 Australian documentary by William Nessen. The film was shot on location in Aceh, and reports on the Province’s battle for independence from Indonesia. Although the film was originally a television documentary, produced for SBS in Australia, it has since been shown around...
in Aceh
Aceh
Aceh is a special region of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Daerah Istimewa Aceh , Nanggroë Aceh Darussalam and Aceh . Past spellings of its name include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin...
. In addition to her work as a journalist and a translator, Shadia Marhaban served as a coordinator at SIRA, an organization dedicated to galvanizing support for a popular referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
on Acehnese independence. In 2001, Shadia organized a peacefully rally in support of a referendum, which 2 million people in Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an elevation of 35 meters. The city regency covers an area of 64 square kilometres and according to the 2000 census had a population of 219,070 people...
attended. She also worked to build international support for Acehnese self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
, through her work with the “moratorium on dialogue” project.
In 2003, Shadia fled Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, and sought refuge as a political refugee. While in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Shadia continued to work to galvanize support for a referendum on Acehnese independence. Shadia was the only woman to actively participate in the GAM negotiating team at the 2005 peace negotiations, which resulted in the ceasing of hostility in Aceh. Following the successful negotiation of the peace agreement, Shadia returned to Aceh from her exile in the United States, and joined a group of activists to form the Aceh Women’s League (LINA).
Since 2006, Shadia has worked as LINA’s president. In that capacity, Shadia oversees LINA’s diverse array of community programs, dedicated to empowering Acehnese
Acehnese people
The Acehnese are a people in Aceh, Indonesia. Their homeland is located in the northern-most tip of the island of Sumatra and had a history of political struggle against the Dutch...
women to act as agents of change. She is also an active participant in the national and international dialogue surrounding issues of women and security. In 2009, Shadia delivered a keynote address at a conference in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, organized by Crisis Management International, (CMI), devoted to “Gender and Mediation – how to improve women’s role in peace negotiations.” In 2010, Shadia presented at conference held in Bogota
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, dedicated to “Designing an Innovative Peace Process,” organized by the Berghof Conflict Research Center. In addition to her work at LINA, and her presence in the international arena, Shadia serves as a founding board member for the School of Peace and Democracy in Aceh.
External links
- http://lina-acheh.com