Women's roles need redefenition: Activist

Women's roles need redefenition: Activist

JAKARTA (JP): Activists are championing redefinition of
women's social, psychological and political roles as crucial in
shaping the "New Indonesia" of the reform era.

Speaking in a one-day seminar on women's roles in society,
Toety Herati Noerhadi and Karlina Leksono of Voices of Concerned
Mothers described marked changes in the patterns of women's
political and social participation since the start of the reform
movement last year.

"We are moving toward a new phase in this nation. We all want
a new Indonesia which is far more democratic and prosperous,"
Karlina said.

"Women are the core of a nation... but many here do not
realize that they possess such great roles as mothers, students,
scholars or workers."

Women's roles must be redefined to ensure they are not trapped
in ones foisted upon them by patriarchal society, she added.

"The reform era is the right time to show that women are not
'subordinate' and their roles in handling the crisis will
contribute to ... this nation."

She recounted how women's groups provided goods and medical
aid to students in their movement against Soeharto's New Order
regime.

"Women are also heroes during this crisis. Mothers are the
ones who have to shoulder the burden when their husbands are laid
off.

"Mothers have to struggle to put food on the table for the
children. They are the backbones of their families during the
crisis."

Unwittingly, contemporary women have been involved in bringing
about other changes in their roles, Karlina said.

"For instance, mothers no longer only wait for the husbands to
provide for the families ... they create their own mechanism to
survive the crisis.

"Mothers in riot-torn Ambon or Aceh become protectors for
their families and children, even though they have to face the
risks of being abused or raped."

Toety denounced the male-dominated social system which
"incarcerated" women in defined roles, ideas and rights.

Wives of public officials, she said, joined the organization
Dharma Wanita to further their husbands' careers and ensure
themselves benefits of a materialistic lifestyle.

She said the women lost out in not fully using their skills.

"They are busy talking about fashions rather than other
crucial matters such as education, economic or sociopolitical
issues... when actually with their talent and ability they can
make a change."

Women involved in such organizations have been manipulated by
the New Order regime into serving as mere political machines for
the ruling Golkar, she said.

"Now the situation has changed. Women, wake up and start
caring about what happens in this country ... "

Saturday's session was held in conjunction with the first
anniversary of the founding of Voices of Concerned Mothers.
Featured were noted women activists such as Gadis Arivia, Tini
Hadad, Kartini Sjahrir, Wardah Hafidz and Myra Diarsi. (edt)