Dharma Wanita striving to fulfill its ambition<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dharma Wanita, an initiative of the late Mrs.
\nTien Soeharto, is still working to reach its objectives, said
\nAtiek Wardiman, an executive of the organization set up
\nespecially for the wives of civil servants.<\/p>\n
\"Many of Ibu Tien's well-intended ideas, including Dharma
\nWanita, have not been fully realized,\" Atiek, who leads the
\norganization under the Ministry of Education and Culture, said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"If we check deeper into Ibu Tien's reasons for setting up
\nDharma Wanita, the organization was not meant to burden women,\"
\nAtiek said after a seminar on secretarial communication skills.<\/p>\n
Some have said that the organization's activities take up too
\nmuch of the members' time. Atiek was also reported earlier to
\nhave said that the organization in practice has failed to educate
\nits members and broaden their horizons.<\/p>\n
Atiek chairs Dharma Wanita in her capacity as wife of Minister
\nof Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro. Wearing black, she
\nwas giving her impressions of the late First Lady, who passed
\naway on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The origin of the organization, set up in 1974, was Ibu Tien's
\nrecognition of the need for the hundreds of wives of civil
\nservants to socialize and get to know one another. Dharma Wanita
\nalso brought together existing organizations in order to better
\ncoordinate their programs through one body.<\/p>\n
Ibu Tien wanted the organization's programs to widen a woman's
\nhorizons and to increase her awareness of the less fortunate. The
\norganization also reflects Ibu Tien's attention to education,
\nwomen and poverty, she said.<\/p>\n
In short, the organization is meant to improve a woman's
\ndignity. But the idea of women playing roles outside of the home
\nhas not been readily accepted, Atiek said.<\/p>\n
Dharma Wanita's principles, laid down by its founders,
\nincluding Ibu Tien, state that a woman is not only a wife and
\nmother, but also a responsible member of society.<\/p>\n
Ibu Tien's own ability to balance her roles was admirable,
\nAtiek said.<\/p>\n
\"Her ability to retain her individual identity while appearing
\nto be the all-giving wife (pasrah) is evident in her legacies,
\none of which was to preserve Indonesian cultures.\" (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dharma-wanita-striving-to-fulfill-its-ambition-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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