Sexist remarks

Sexist remarks

I strongly protest the statement made by Adnan Buyung Nasution -- a celebrated human rights activist -- published in the Kompas daily on March 9, 1996, concerning the election of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute chairman.

In his statement Adnan Buyung Nasution says, among other things, "During the time of my two-year chairmanship, I realized that my task was not easy. I was available 24 hours a day. If necessary I answered calls at night and attended meetings in the wee hours of the morning. As a chairman I had to be mentally and physically prepared to sacrifice and handle real work. Whereas my deputy chairperson Amartiwi is a woman of nearly 70 years old and lives in Bandung, West Java. How can she possibly lead the foundation and make herself available 24 hours a day? Be logical!"

I think his statement obviously degrades human dignity, humiliates and underestimates women and is irreverent to old age. I respond as follows:

* His statement is clearly based on the viewpoint that women are not capable of executing difficult tasks, particularly those concerning human rights. It is contrary to the principles stipulated in the foundation's statute, the Declaration of Human Rights and the UN convention of the abolishment of discrimination against women.

* There is no correlation between the ability to lead and sex. For centuries women have shown their ability to accomplish hard tasks -- even at night.

I herewith call on Adnan Buyung Nasution to apologize and retract his statement.

ITA F. NADIA

Chairwoman, Board of executives

Kalyanamitra Foundation

Jakarta