Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests

Housewives, nuns, prostitutes join protests

JAKARTA (JP): Housewives, several nuns and a number of sex
workers were seen mingling with thousands of female students and
activists holding rallies demanding an end to the economic crisis
and sweeping reforms in various cities yesterday.

Female activists tacked their own agenda onto student protests
for reform that have been gaining momentum over the past two
months to commemorate the birth of the pioneer of women's
emancipation in Indonesia, Raden Ajeng Kartini, on April 21,
1879. She died in childbirth in 1904. During her short life she
established a school for girls and produced writings on women's
suffering and their struggle for equality.

The all-female demonstrations took place in Surabaya,
Ujungpandang, Jakarta, and Bandung, and were followed or held
concurrently with the protests for reform involving both male and
female students.

In Surabaya, 1,000 women staged a free speech forum at
Airlangga University demanding reform and lower prices. After
negotiation with the local authorities, they were permitted to
leave their campus.

Female students, lecturers, Catholic nuns, nurses, housewives,
factory workers and a number of prostitutes from a famous red-
light district in the city joined the procession.

A number of student activists used the occasion to present
roses to pedicab drivers, security personnel, and even motorists
who stopped to watch the rally. The roses had small cards
attached which read "don't let your conscience die."

The organizers, calling themselves the Committee of Women for
Democracy, said in their statement that they rejected any acts,
views and perceptions that belittled women.

"We women were among the first to suffer from the crisis. The
price of milk for our children increased, even sanitary towels
are more expensive now," one activist said.

In Bandung, 2,000 students gathered at Bandung Institute of
Technology for an anti-violence demonstration which featured
female scholars Karlina Leksono Supelli and N.M. Soerdia, and
singer Oppie Andaresta.

The students and activists ended the gathering with a prayer.

Not far from the institute, 1,000 students from various
universities assembled at Bandung Islamic University later in the
day. This demonstration deteriorated into a clash with security
personnel, who prevented students from going onto the streets.

At least seven students were injured, one reportedly suffered
concussion. Six police officers were also injured and required
medical attention.

In Jakarta, all-female demonstrations were held at Pancasila
University in South Jakarta, and at Indonesia Institute of
Technology (ITI) in Serpong, Tangerang, demanding reform and a
greater role for women in national development.

One hundred students from the Tangerang institute marched
through the campus singing songs in praise of Kartini and
criticizing the Minister of Social Services Siti Hardijanti
Rukmana. They unfurled a banner reading "women's power for
reform."

The demonstration was guarded by a force made up in the main
of policewomen, one of whom could not hold back tears when the
protesting students handed her a white orchid.

The students in Ujungpandang demanded the dissolution of the
"nepotistic cabinet", and an end to corruption, collusion and
discrimination against women.

Female students staged a free speech forum while their male
counterparts stood around the periphery of Hasanuddin University
square in support of their demonstration.

In a different location in Surabaya, 500 members of the
Indonesian Moslem Students Movement (PMII) from 12 universities
gathered at Sunan Ampel Institute for Islamic Studies to perform
shalat ghaib -- a special prayer for the dead.

They said the prayer was for the demise of the New Order. They
also called on religious leaders to join students in the movement
for reform.

In Jakarta, demonstrations involving thousands of students
from various universities were held concurrently at the campuses
of Mercu Buana University, Sahid University and Jayabaya
University.

In Yogyakarta, lecturers and members of Dharma Wanita (the
association of civil servants' wives), joined thousands of
students demonstrating for an end to the economic crisis at
Gadjah Mada University. Also in attendance were the outspoken
sociologist Loekman Soetrisno and his wife, assistant rector of
the university Bambang Kartiko, and the wives of rector Ichlasul
Amal and former rector Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri.
(swe/43/har/nur/30/23/swa/44/byg/rms/anr)