Govt urged to review its policy on women
JAKARTA (JP): An assistant to the State Minister of Women's Roles said here over the weekend that government policy on the affairs of women in government should be reviewed because it has pushed their activities into a domestic corner.
Syamsiah Ahmad said that she personally did not agree with the obligation of civil servant wives to join Dharma Wanita, an organization established in 1974 to group the wives.
Speaking at a discussion on women's roles she also said that because the grass roots Family Welfare Program (PKK) favors more traditional roles for women, this could have an effect on public affairs.
Under the current system, joining Dharma Wanita (literally "women's services") is compulsory for all wives of civil servants. The positions given to the organization's members usually depend on the rank of their husbands.
However, Syamsiah, who represented the minister at the discussion, said that if the authorities refuse to make policy changes, Indonesian women should adjust themselves to today's conditions by joining the semi-official organization.
"When the time comes, things will change," Syamsiah said during their discussion.
Syamsiah said that "women of noble character always respect older people and those who are of higher rank."
On the other hand she advised Dharma Wanita leaders to be well aware of their position and not to act as if they were experts who knew everything.
PKK
Syamsiah said it was necessary to change the management of the Family Welfare Program, which so far had excluded men.
"PKK teams must involve both sexes," she said.
Men and women should share household chores and when women work outside the home, men should take over their jobs, she said.
More debate in PKK was raised in the forum by Sofia Malelak, an activist of the Alfa Omega Foundation in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. She said that PKK activities had pushed women to far towards the domestic sector.
Syamsiah said the government had been determined to boost women's roles in development through "harmonious and equal partnerships" between men and women.
She underlined that unlike Western feminists, who demand only equality, Indonesian women should struggle for equality based on harmony.
State Minister of Population/Chairman of the National Family Planning Program Coordinating Board Haryono Suyono said this nation should hold courses and seminars on how to also involve men in equal partnerships.
"If men are not ready (for equality) they should not confront women," he said.
He said women should approach men in a friendly manner in order to avoid conflicts as has been successfully practiced in the West.
"The efforts to emancipate women should start in the family through the socialization and education of children," Haryono said.
The minister said children should enjoy equal treatment regardless of gender. "Give your children the same toys. Why should you give boys toy guns and girls dolls?" he asked.
Ratu Hemas, wife of the sultan of Yogyakarta, who is a social activist, said that local tradition had hampered women from being active outside their home.
"People want me to stay at home wearing a kebaya," she said, adding that she had also been criticized for not wearing the traditional costume when receiving guests at the palace.(sim)