'Respect the choices of women'

Every Dec. 22, the country celebrates Women's Day in recognition of the critical roles Indonesian women played during the struggle for independence. What has been the role of Indonesian women since the country declared independence in 1945? The Jakarta Post interviewed residents on the issue.

Samsul, 34, is a human resources development employee of a private company on Jl. Rasuna Said. He lives in Bintaro Jaya, Tangerang.

In my religion, women are placed at a respectable level. When our prophet was asked who one should respect, he said 'your mother' three times, and only the fourth did he say 'your father'.

Therefore, if a Muslim does not respect his mother or women, we must question his faithfulness to his religion.

I think other religions also place women on this level.

About emancipation, I think it is only a matter of choice. There are women who prefer to work outside their houses, but there are also women who prefer to stay home taking care of their children.

Many women choose to stop working for the sake of their families, but there are also many women who are happy working in their offices or doing their businesses. We must respect their choices.

Santi, 17, is a student at a private senior high school in South Jakarta. She lives in Buaran subdistrict, Serpong, Tangerang regency.

My mother is the busiest person in the family. She prepares our breakfast and lunch in the morning before she goes to teach in an elementary school close to our home. She has to prepare our dinner in the afternoon also.

I am the eldest child in the family. I have one younger sister and two younger brothers.

I think my mother is the most important person in the family. She knows everything we need, starting from our daily meals to all items needed for school.

Meanwhile, my father goes to his office early in the morning.

--The Jakarta Post