Significance of gender in Aceh aid management

Significance of gender in Aceh aid management

Nori Andriyani, Jakarta

This article focuses on the need to ensure that gender equality is adopted in all aid efforts in Aceh, particularly those by the government and development agencies.

A gender perspective is significant to ensure equality in aid between men and women victims of the Aceh tsunami. This perspective means that we acknowledge the different needs of men and women. This perspective also makes us aware of the patriarchal culture here that could result in blocking access of women to aid.

Aceh is a province long riddled with armed conflict between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government. The people of Aceh have been traumatized by the conflict. On top of this is the tsunami disaster. The building of a new Aceh is a crucial and significant effort to be undertaken by all. We not only need to rebuild the physical structures, but also the Aceh people's dignity.

This comprehensive rebuilding need for Aceh also means the need to ensure that women's interests are guaranteed and strengthened.

Data from the National Coordinating Body on Disaster and Refugee Management (Bakornas PBP) shows the number of refugees in Aceh totaling 394,285. Meanwhile, the women's empowerment minister stated in her report to the House of Representatives last month that 60 percent of the refugees are female. This is a considerable number of women refugees that need support. This data shows the significance of focusing on women's needs, young and old.

The minister also reported that about 20 percent of the refugees are children. With a majority of refugees being women, the question is then how aid has so far met women's needs. This data on refugees, differentiated by gender and age, is important for planning the effective management of aid for Aceh.

When we review the local and international news, the overall impression is that aid for tsunami victims is in the form of food, water, shelter, medication and the public works of burying the dead and cleaning the cities of debris. We do not see aid in the form of underclothes (bras and underwear) for women and menstruation pads.

Efforts to meet women's needs are clearly minimal, as first, there are far more women than available menstruation pads. Second, and more importantly, women's needs go beyond menstruation pads.

The fuller list of women's immediate needs may include vitamins for pregnant and nursing women, maternity girdles for women after birth, medicines for pregnant or menstruating women, head scarves and other Muslim women's clothing for the dominantly Muslim Acehnese.

Besides the immediate needs for women's day-to-day living, there is also the need for privacy and this need is related to safeguarding against the potential sexual harassment of women.

The list of women's needs above are the immediate needs after the disaster. Besides this, there are longer term and strategic needs for women and they relate to access and empowerment.

These include, first, enabling women to get back land and housing documents lost in the waters.

Second, allocating a budget for young female students to get scholarships for school and university.

Third, allocating a budget for women to get training in starting small businesses.

Fourth, providing women the allocation of credits to start small businesses. The World Bank before the tsunami disaster was supporting PEKKA, a project for Aceh women's economic empowerment. This is one example that the support for women tsunami victims can take.

Fifth, immediate trauma healing specifically for women so that they can quickly return to a productive state. Many Acehnese women are, for example, nurses who have been traumatized and cannot resume work immediately. Another need is for the stronger Aceh women to be able to help with the healing process for other Aceh women. The work of community-based trauma healing that such NGOs like Pulih Foundation and the Women's Volunteers for Humanity in Aceh could set the example of women empowerment.

All these supports have to be available for women without having to have recognition from father, husband or other male members of the family. These are the affirmative actions needed for Aceh women. Also, by acknowledging women as independent entities, we help women out of the patriarchal constraints that hinder their progress.

These examples are some of the pro women policies that have to be taken by the national and local government institutions managing the Aceh aid, as well as by international and local development organizations working in Aceh.

All of the suggested ways to meet women's specific needs and the need to ensure access for women to be independent and sustainable will only remain an empty dream if they are not adopted by the major players in the rebuilding of Aceh. The first major player is the government.

The most important bodies needing active presence of the ministry's officials are the Bakornas and the newly formed agency called the Badan Otorita Aceh. The approach to ensure gender perspective is included in the two bodies can be by first, establishing a separate unit for women or second, by mainstreaming gender throughout the body or both.

Besides the government, it is obvious that development organizations, particularly the international ones have shown a significant role in the aid for Aceh tsunami victims.

It is important for these organizations to also acknowledge women's specific needs and develop affirmative action programs for women. Some of these organizations, have taken the first approach of establishing a separate unit to work towards gender equality.

It is over a month since the Aceh tsunami disaster. Media reports on it have started to recede. Yet, the work of rebuilding Aceh has just started. It is very important to bear in mind the main principle of empowerment for the Aceh people themselves and not to make them merely objects or project targets. A part of this principle is for aid to Aceh to have a strategic approach for women's empowerment.

The author is a graduate student in the Women's Studies Program at the University of Indonesia.