Women should be given significant roles in reconstruction of Aceh<\/p>\n
Aguswandi, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
No matter which political camp or organization you belong to
\nin Aceh, there is one similarity throughout: Women are not
\nsignificantly involved anywhere. Women's potential and actual
\nroles have been neglected across the board in the huge rebuilding
\nefforts in post-tsunami and post-MOU Aceh. Neither the government
\ninstitutions, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Aceh Monitoring
\nMission (AMM), BRR, nor anybody else is taking the issue of
\nwomen's participation in social and political life seriously.
\nAceh is becoming an increasingly male-dominated culture.<\/p>\n
This is also the case even within many civil society groups
\nthat are claiming to represent the interests of the people of
\nAceh. It is not true that the quality of male friends of mine,
\nmany of whom hold positions of significant responsibility in
\nAcehnese institutions, are much more talented than many women in
\nAceh. The problem, however, is that women were never granted the
\nopportunity in the first place to take such positions. Under-
\nrepresentation of women in Aceh will ensure that women are never
\nable to access those opportunities. There is no such thing as
\nserious equal opportunity here.<\/p>\n
I don't really like to advocate for positive discrimination.
\nNormally I would agree with the argument that the quality is far
\nmore important than quantity, that women should be involved due
\nto their individual qualities and skills rather than simply as a
\nmember of a collective called \"women\". But seeing how the
\npotential of women is being neglected in Aceh now, at this
\ncritical time, it is necessary to actively pursue the inclusion
\nof women over men. Positive discrimination might be an option.<\/p>\n
Take for example the many reconstruction institutions, such as
\nthe BRR which was established in post-tsunami Aceh. How many
\nAcehnese women are involved with or occupy positions in these
\norganizations? Very few. Does one really think that the men
\noccupying the majority of office chairs are better equipped than
\nwomen at making reconstruction plans for Aceh? No, definitely
\nnot. Or look at the process leading up to the signing of the MOU
\nand the executing parties implementing the MOU. Women's input and
\nroles within these processes or implementing bodies has been
\nnegligible.<\/p>\n
Even more disturbing are elements of the MOU that have the
\npotential to strengthen and increase such male monopolization and
\ndomination. Neither provisions around the government of Aceh nor
\nthose around political participation have made any clear
\nstatements concerning women's involvement in the processes. I
\nasked friends about whom they thought might be chosen for the
\npost of Wali Nanggroe (the cultural leader of Aceh's government).
\nOf all the names suggested, all were male. It was clearly
\ninconceivable for them to think an Acehnese woman might occupy
\nthis position.<\/p>\n
When it was suggested to them that women's right to compete
\nfor these positions should be encouraged and clearly stated, they
\nwere insulted and said that there was no need for such a
\nprovision on the grounds that Acehnese women, have already
\noccupied significant historical roles as queens and military
\nleaders. They seemed to think that as a society where women have
\nhistorically held prominent and powerful public roles women will
\neventually once again hold these roles and that there is no need
\nto actively insist on their involvement. They have begun to take
\nthe important role of women for granted.<\/p>\n
But can the Acehnese afford to take this for granted now? Many
\ncite women's primary or powerful roles within the family
\nstructure in Aceh. But such important roles in the family cannot
\nnecessarily be translated into the assumption that Acehnese women
\nwill be able or willing to take on this role in society. The most
\ncommon solutions emerging from local groups in response to the
\nquestion as to how to help Acehnese women be more included in
\npost-tsunami and post-MOU reconstruction are to teach women
\nskills such as handicrafts, sewing or pastries. It is unclear how
\npeople think that women will be able to return to the political
\nsphere if they are suited, or merely equipped, to achieve such
\nlabor-intensive, low return employment.<\/p>\n
What can be done? Many groups and agencies working in Aceh
\nshould insist on women's participation in the work they are doing
\nor are funding. Funding agencies in Aceh for example should
\nscrutinize any projects or proposal submitted to them by local
\ngroups and question as to how their projects have a positive
\nimpact on Acehnese woman, or how many woman are actually being
\ninvolved. This is especially important in the case of religious
\ngroups who are usually less interested in involving women.<\/p>\n
The stakes are actually very clear. Until we get Acehnese
\nwomen more involved we will not be able to improve conditions in
\nAceh. Building the future for post-tsunami and post-MOU Aceh must
\nalso mean building the future of women. The continuation of many
\nproblems in Aceh right now is often due to the failure of the
\nmale-dominated politics in the province. It might just be the
\ntime to give Acehnese women a chance to be in the forefront.<\/p>\n
The writer is a human rights advocate. He is currently based
\nin Aceh and can be contacted at agus_smur@hotmail.com.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-should-be-given-significant-roles-in-reconstruction-of-aceh-1447893297",
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