'Gardu' on 'Indosiar'

'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