'Gardu' on 'Indosiar'

On June 23, Indosiar televised a Gardu 30-minute program titled Quarreling All the Time, which was hosted by Emha Ainun Nadjib, better known as Cak Nun, and Gus Wahid. Syafi'i Ma'arif and Audi Wuisang were invited to appear on the program, and so were dozens of others.

After the program, I was curious to figure out why only males were on Gardu. I wondered if it was true that in our society, only males "have the right" to participate in discussions like what was shown on the program. Was the Indosiar program a true reflection of our society? I am extremely curious to know what reasons the organizer had for allowing only males to join the program. Or perhaps they invited both sexes, but only men turned up?

The topic Quarreling All the Time was focused on the unrest and disturbances taking place in this country. Who in the world likes quarrels and quarreling? I'm afraid that most of the quarrels and disturbances in this country are brought about by men and that's why only men will attend and be involved in Indosiar's Quarreling All the Time.

I sincerely hope that the mass media, including television, can be more sensitive to gender issues. Women have so far been the ones which suffer the most in the unrest and disturbances. But have people listened to them, or at least given them an opportunity to voice their opinion? Even if they were provided with opportunities, they probably wouldn't be able to speak up because of the long-established perception in society where women must keep silent and accept the way a man's treats them.

How can we make a democratic society reality if we are not sensitive to, or care about, women, who constitute half of the total population of this country? The mass media have an important role in supporting the establishment of women's participation as well as involvement in offering their point of view pertaining to life, society, politics, religion, education, etc.

LIMANTO SIHALOHO

Yogyakarta