Women should be given significant roles in reconstruction of Aceh

Aguswandi, Banda Aceh

No matter which political camp or organization you belong to in Aceh, there is one similarity throughout: Women are not significantly involved anywhere. Women's potential and actual roles have been neglected across the board in the huge rebuilding efforts in post-tsunami and post-MOU Aceh. Neither the government institutions, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), BRR, nor anybody else is taking the issue of women's participation in social and political life seriously. Aceh is becoming an increasingly male-dominated culture.

This is also the case even within many civil society groups that are claiming to represent the interests of the people of Aceh. It is not true that the quality of male friends of mine, many of whom hold positions of significant responsibility in Acehnese institutions, are much more talented than many women in Aceh. The problem, however, is that women were never granted the opportunity in the first place to take such positions. Under- representation of women in Aceh will ensure that women are never able to access those opportunities. There is no such thing as serious equal opportunity here.

I don't really like to advocate for positive discrimination. Normally I would agree with the argument that the quality is far more important than quantity, that women should be involved due to their individual qualities and skills rather than simply as a member of a collective called "women". But seeing how the potential of women is being neglected in Aceh now, at this critical time, it is necessary to actively pursue the inclusion of women over men. Positive discrimination might be an option.

Take for example the many reconstruction institutions, such as the BRR which was established in post-tsunami Aceh. How many Acehnese women are involved with or occupy positions in these organizations? Very few. Does one really think that the men occupying the majority of office chairs are better equipped than women at making reconstruction plans for Aceh? No, definitely not. Or look at the process leading up to the signing of the MOU and the executing parties implementing the MOU. Women's input and roles within these processes or implementing bodies has been negligible.

Even more disturbing are elements of the MOU that have the potential to strengthen and increase such male monopolization and domination. Neither provisions around the government of Aceh nor those around political participation have made any clear statements concerning women's involvement in the processes. I asked friends about whom they thought might be chosen for the post of Wali Nanggroe (the cultural leader of Aceh's government). Of all the names suggested, all were male. It was clearly inconceivable for them to think an Acehnese woman might occupy this position.

When it was suggested to them that women's right to compete for these positions should be encouraged and clearly stated, they were insulted and said that there was no need for such a provision on the grounds that Acehnese women, have already occupied significant historical roles as queens and military leaders. They seemed to think that as a society where women have historically held prominent and powerful public roles women will eventually once again hold these roles and that there is no need to actively insist on their involvement. They have begun to take the important role of women for granted.

But can the Acehnese afford to take this for granted now? Many cite women's primary or powerful roles within the family structure in Aceh. But such important roles in the family cannot necessarily be translated into the assumption that Acehnese women will be able or willing to take on this role in society. The most common solutions emerging from local groups in response to the question as to how to help Acehnese women be more included in post-tsunami and post-MOU reconstruction are to teach women skills such as handicrafts, sewing or pastries. It is unclear how people think that women will be able to return to the political sphere if they are suited, or merely equipped, to achieve such labor-intensive, low return employment.

What can be done? Many groups and agencies working in Aceh should insist on women's participation in the work they are doing or are funding. Funding agencies in Aceh for example should scrutinize any projects or proposal submitted to them by local groups and question as to how their projects have a positive impact on Acehnese woman, or how many woman are actually being involved. This is especially important in the case of religious groups who are usually less interested in involving women.

The stakes are actually very clear. Until we get Acehnese women more involved we will not be able to improve conditions in Aceh. Building the future for post-tsunami and post-MOU Aceh must also mean building the future of women. The continuation of many problems in Aceh right now is often due to the failure of the male-dominated politics in the province. It might just be the time to give Acehnese women a chance to be in the forefront.

The writer is a human rights advocate. He is currently based in Aceh and can be contacted at agus_smur@hotmail.com.