The Media and Cultural Studies (Kajian Budaya dan Media/KBM) Study Program organized a photography and infographic exhibition themed “Say No to Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence!”. The event, which began on Friday (July 4th), is part of a series of activities under KBM’s Community Service Program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PKM), in collaboration with the Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI) Yogyakarta.
Held at IFI Yogyakarta, the event opened with remarks by Budiawan, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., Head of the Doctoral Program in Media and Cultural Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada. He expressed that as long as patriarchal regimes and heteronormativity dominate social life, the potential for discrimination and gender-based violence will continue to persist. In his speech, François Dabin, Director of IFI Yogyakarta, also conveyed his appreciation for the collaboration between the KBM Study Program at UGM and the institution under the French Embassy in Yogyakarta. He emphasized that the spirit of this activity aligns with IFI Yogyakarta’s mission to promote progressive ideas. Ratna Noviani, S.I.P., M.Si., Ph.D., Head of the Master’s Program in Media and Cultural Studies, similarly stated that this series of events serves as a bridge to better understand social problems in society. Often, visual language is more powerful in expressing things that cannot be conveyed through verbal language.
On the same day, the event also featured the launch of the zine “Kult!”, created by KBM Master’s students, and discussed with Dr. Andreas Budi Widyanta, S.Sos., M.A. One of the key takeaways shared by the man known as Bung AB was that although the zine captures various social phenomena, it carries a shared spirit of humanity, equality, and justice. On the following day, the program continued with discussions and a photography and infographic exhibition initiated by the KBM Master’s Program.
Contributor: Zainul Arifin
SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)