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.