Srikandi gives guidance, support to women in mixed marriages

Srikandi gives guidance, support to women in mixed marriages

Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an effort to foster friendships among Indonesian women married
to foreign men, the Association of Indonesian Women in
Multinational Marriages (Srikandi) held on Sunday a monthly
gathering, where its members could share their thoughts on
everything, including legalities involving their children.

Srikandi co-chairwoman Maya Miranda Ambarsari said the purpose
of the gathering was to help women in mixed marriages form a bond
of friendship.

The evening poolside party, held at a plush apartment complex
in Kuningan, South Jakarta, was crowded with Indonesian women and
their foreign husbands, who were busy greeting and talking to
each other.

"This gathering also serves as an informal place where they
can get information on mixed marriages, including laws and
regulations on mixed children," Maya, who has been married for
four years to an Irishman of Pakistani descent, told The Jakarta
Post.

A Srikandi member, Ati Kisjanto, said the group had been a
great help to her in providing her with information on the
legalities having children with a foreigner.

"I didn't know that I had to register my 15-month-old daughter
Tara (with Indonesian authorities) until my friends in Srikandi
told me so. From them, I also found out that I don't have the
right to determine my children's citizenship, as they will follow
their father's and will be treated as foreign tourists or
visitors," said Ati, who has been married to a British journalist
for five years.

According to Law No. 62/1958, which is now under revision,
children of mixed marriages automatically follow the father's
nationality until legal adulthood, or 18 years of age, when they
must choose their permanent citizenship.

Maya said the group was currently fighting for dual
citizenship for children of mixed marriages to ensure equal
rights for both parents.

"We have been raising the issue at the House of
Representatives for years. I heard that it is being reviewed. Let
hope that our voices will finally be heard," she said.

Established in 2000, Srikandi now has approximately 200
members with husbands of various nationalities, including
Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.