hen the the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDI-P) came out of the general elections with the majority of votes, and the popularity of its leader Megawati Sukarnoputri increased day by day, it pushed the issue of “gender” right into the centre of the nation’s attention. Sentiments against a woman filling the position of the nation’s president were expressed by a Wnumber of religious and political leaders as well as individuals. The ensuing debate then reached a point where a group of women deemed it urgent to issue a statement refuting the use of religious dogma to discredit a woman’s political right to become president. In less than 48 hours, the statement, which was released on 22 June 1999, received support from over 300 indiv- iduals—women and men—and organisations who agreed that women’s political rights should be honoured in line with the 1945 Constitution and the law. The group, named the Civil Society for the Political Rights of Women, stressed the significance of upholding justice and democracy and rebuild the political rights of Indonesian women regardless of age, class, education, religion, ethnic background and political beliefs. Specifically, the state- ment says there is no explicit stipulation in the Al-Qur’an that a woman cannot become a leader. Indonesian Signatories inclu- ded human rights ac- tivists like Saparinah Sadli and Marzuki Women Reclaim Darusman, Dharma Wanita Presidium head Hartini Hartarto, gender specialist Their Place Mayling Oey, noted lawyers Rita Kolibonso and Todung Mulya Lubis, the National by Carla Bianpoen Mandate Party (PAN) Under the Sun Deputy Chair Toeti Heraty Roosseno, res- pected economist Mohammad Sadli, playwright Ratna Sarumpaet, NGO acti- vist Erna Witoelar, political scientists Chusnul Mar’iyah and Smita Notosusanto. But more than any- one else in the long list of signatories, the names of Siti Nuriyah

Women Demand: Stop the Violence, a rally held in con- junction with the International Anti-Violence Day on 25 November 1998 all photos courtesy of Carla Bianpoen

Women in Action No. 3, 1999 27 Wahid, Omi Komaria Madjid to reporters immediately after the ment’s World Bank-supported and Khofifah Indar Parawangsa vote count. Her disappointment labour-intensive projects that caught attention. Siti Nuriyah particularly referred to the politi- were to accommodate laid-off is a Muslim activist, the head cal manoeuvring to prevent workers as a result of the eco- of over 200 pesantren putri (re- Megawati from becoming the nomic and monetary crises. ligious boarding schools for President. In fact, many women The demand was made to the girls) and is also the wife to who had initially been critical of World Bank president and the Muslim leader Abdurrahman Megawati came to back the de- National Development Agency Wahid. Omi Komaria is well feated presidential frontrunner. by members of the Lotus Foun- versed in the teachings of her That she has won the vice-presi- dation in co-ordination with religion and the wife of Mus- dency gives reason to rejoice. Yet, other NGOs. The Lotus Foun- lim scholar Nurcholis Majid. from a gender perspective, the dation is essentially a lobby Khofifah Indar Parawansa, a whole process was disappointing group that pursues women’s former legislator, was then a and telling of the position of rights as human rights. proponent of the National women. Particularly so, as the But it was a mix of continu- Awakening Party. women dynamics in 1998 were ous price hikes, the overall Khofifah, in a subsequent leading towards the political mood of oppression and sombre television commentary, said arena. But frankly, at that time, apprehension, and the dark fear that nowhere in the constitution hardly anybody was imagining of popular explosions, that made nor in any law or regulation was such a dramatic unfolding of the women realise they needed to gender specifically mentioned as gender issue. do something to prevent blood- a requirement for the presi- shed. At that time, the only safe dency, and neither had there 1998-A Change in Dynamics thing to do was to act under cover been any objections to these le- The year 1998 will remain of the traditional concept of the gal provisions. as a year of shattering experi- role of women. On 23 February The statement, which re- ences. It will also be remem- 1998, the Suara Ibu Peduli or ceived media coverage, triggered bered as a year in which wom- the Voice of Concerned Mothers a continuous flow of supporters. en’s dynamics emerged in an (SIP) decided to hold a peaceful Yet, this did not help much in unprecedented force, uniting rally at the roundabout in front the final manoeuvres of politi- women of all walks of life, of the of Hotel Indonesia at the city cal players. most diverse ethnic, religious centre. As concerned mothers, Even Abdurrahman Wahid, and educational backgrounds, they prayed and sang songs typi- the leader of over 30 million including the active participa- cal of everyday mothers, but also members of the Nahdatul tion of Catholic nuns and Mus- urged the government to provide Ulama, who had initially said he lim scholars. This immense up- food and milk at affordable had no problem with a woman surge in women’s dynamics led prices. becoming president and had the breakthroughs that would The initiative came from staunchly supported Megawati, have been unimaginable in the young women intellectuals to- became her opponent in the previous 32 years. No doubt it gether with long-time feminist eleventh hour. Political ma- was the tumbling economy, the Toety Herati Roosseno, a profes- noeuvring further led the way ensuing political turbulence, sor of philosophy, who assumed to his election as president in and an overall oppressive ap- that as mothers, they would not what is called the most demo- prehension that had provoked be shot at. Indeed they were not, cratic election since 32 years women’s inner strength. While but three of them were harshly ago. From a gender perspective, the word “revolution” may be too taken to the police station where this was a blow to the cause of strong a term to describe wom- they had to undergo a 23-hour gender, and democracy. en’s reaction, it does reveal the interrogation. The warrant was Noted women’s activist sentiments prevailing at that presented only an hour before and legislator Nursjahbani time. their release. Their case at- Katjasungkana, for one, ex- An early sign of women’s tracted massive local and in- pressed her profound disap- “changing” dynamics was evi- ternational attention, intro- pointment though she was not a dent when women demanded at ducing a new wave of young fervent supporter of Megawati. “I least 20 percent of women’s women to prominence. do feel very sad,” she conveyed participation in the govern- The investigation at the

28 Women in Action No. 3, 1999 daunted by death threats, anonymous letters and harass- ing phone calls, they continued helping the victims in whatever form possible, and have been untiringly speaking out against violence on women. Their re- vealing reports of the violence and the wide media coverage were instrumental in actions taken to put pressure on the government. Although the most published names were Ita F. Nadia and Karlina Leksono, they stand for numerous others who often risked their lives or livelihood because of their in- Mari Berdamai means Let's make peace. The two women are Saparinah Sadli, volvement in the team. 73, chair of the National Commission on Violence Against Women and Herawati Diah, 83, chair of the Women's Movement for Voters Education While the entire people un- derwent a kind of shock at the police office and the legal pro- taneous gathering of women revelations on the massive cedure in court drew sympathy from all walks of life. Breaking rapes, government authorities from the public and received traditional barriers of ethnicity, persisted in denials that it had wide media coverage, with pic- religious and class back- happened at all. But the more tures of Karlina Leksono and grounds, they came together at they denied, the more people Gadis Arivia appearing in al- a time of overall oppression came together in a united front. most every news media. when gatherings were looked In less than one month, the SIP persisted in the role of at with great suspicion. statement drafted on 16 June mothers, providing affordable Not surprisingly, the location by about 16 women of interdis- milk for children under five and was held secret up to the last ciplinary academic and profes- the elderly. Their effort received possible moment. Another sional backgrounds found sup- much support with donations unique and important feature port from 4,000 people, later flowing in, and housewives from was that the prayer was for all, called the Civil Society on Vio- other parts of started putting to the fore the virtues of lence Against Women. But grouping, requesting SIP to al- bold and courageous women from President Jusuf Bacharuddin low them to use the logo to sup- the history of all religions. It ex- Habibie remained silent. port milk distribution in their pressed a united and impas- Following further deteriora- specific area. sioned critique of prevailing in- tion of the social situation, wo- While SIP persisted in the justice and unlawfulness. Today, men decided to see the Presi- mother’s role, they also contin- Seruni continues to organise dent. A delegation of 22 women ued to support political aspira- women in peace-making efforts. was received on 15 July. Led by tions, playing a key role in the Perhaps the most known senior activist and human supply of survival food for the and publicised during that year rights defender Prof. Saparinah students who persisted on par- was the Women’s Division of the Sadli, they succeeded in mak- liament building, and pursuing Team of Volunteers for Humani- ing the president realise the ur- the fall of . tarian Causes. Tim Relawan be- gency of an official statement of Groundbreaking, though came instrumental in informing condemnation. There and not widely known, was the the public about the massive then, President Habibie, to- interfaith women’s prayer held rapes occurring during the anti- gether with the women, for- on 8 March 1998, the Interna- Chinese riots in Jakarta in May mulated the Statement and is- tional Women’s Day that au- 1998. Working with other sued it to the media, much thorities never acknowledged NGOs, they provided counsel- against the advice of his aide because of its alleged leftist as- ling and other services for the who had recommended con- sociations. Seruni was a spon- victims and their relatives. Un- sulting the Cabinet before is-

Women in Action No. 3, 1999 29 suing the statement. at a time when opposition was team, which had only two The formation of the Na- a bad word. months to organise. At the fo- tional Commission on Violence Another group that broke rum, euphoria reigned supreme against Women was another away from the traditional image after 32 years of repression. How- important result. It is headed by of women was the Koalisi ever, democratic principles of Saparinah Sadli, who is also a Perempuan Indonesia untuk participation were still new, and member of the National Com- Keadilan dan Demokrasi (Indo- mutual suspicion that was a re- mission on Human Rights. nesian Women’s Coalition for mainder from the past, strongly Different from the above- Justice and Democracy), formed coloured this auspicious event. mentioned groups were the acti- on 18 May 1998. The situation Yet, the Congress managed vities of those who proceeded di- in the country was fast deterio- to confirm the Indonesian Wom- rectly into the political arena. The rating. About 62 women’s en’s Coalition for Justice and De- women of Gema Madani (Echo groups and individuals from mocracy, electing a Presidium of Civil Society), for one, started various educational, ethnic, re- who in turn elected Nursjahbani their actions in early February. ligious and professional back- Katjasungkana, a noted lawyer When Emil Salim’s candidacy for grounds subscribed to the de- and women’s activist, as Secre- the vice presidency did not take mands of the coalition which tary General. The inclusion of off the ground despite long de- was to bring down Suharto and representatives in the Presidium liberations among supporters, reject Habibie. Having contrib- of controversial minority groups three women turned the scale uted to the stepping down of like lesbians and sex workers and launched the movement Suharto, the women’s Coalition was a new development, but which gave courage to thousands went on to seek wider unity caused some uproar after the of people. Saparinah Sadli, a among women throughout the Congress, particularly among staunch women’s rights activist country. the members of the Kowani, un- and head of the postgraduate They first took the Interna- til then the national umbrella for programme on women studies of tional Anti-Violence Day on 25 about 70 women’s organisations. the , November as an opportunity to Kowani was initially an outflow Mayling Oey, a gender specialist co-operate with local NGOs of the first Indonesian Women’s and founding member of the Lo- throughout the country and fa- Congress (1928), but had devel- tus Foundation, Tini Hadad, an cilitate the organisation of anti- oped into a government-linked activist and then director of the violence rallies held simultane- organisation. Kowani also Indonesian Consumer’s Founda- ously throughout Indonesia. charged the organisers of the tion (YLKI), together with Agus Then they organised the 70th Congress of leftist (communist) Purnomo, who is also the direc- anniversary of the first Wom- aspirations, especially after its tor of the Foundation of World- en’s Congress in December chairperson sat next to a surviv- wide Wildlife in Indonesia, organ- 1998 to push for the first Wom- ing member of the Gerwani at a ised a brainstorming meeting en’s Congress since the down- panel in a seminar previous to with about 40 selected invitees . the Congress. Gerwani was one on 11 February to launch econo- Pursuing to unite women of the largest women’s move- mist and one-time minister for from all walks of life regardless ments in the late 1950s to the the environment Emil Salim, as of their educational, religious, early 1960s. They were banned an alternative candidate for the ethnic, or professional back- due to their affiliation with the vice-presidency. grounds, the Congress aimed to outlawed Communist Party. The Suggesting a candidate solidify a women’s force strong Congress organisers were, how- other than the ones whose offi- enough to become a pressure ever, united by the vision that as cial nomination had been an- group for mainstreaming gender women, they had the right to nounced was, at that time, a concerns in the political arena, have a voice and be heard. bold act of courage that gener- and to prepare a joint platform for Today, the Coalition has ated a commotion both in the justice and democracy. Over- branches in several parts of the general public and in the usual whelming enthusiasm brought country, and is on its way to be- political discourse. Gema around 600 women from all over come a strong alternative to the Madani incited new hopes for Indonesia to the historic town of Kowani as an umbrella for wom- the common people and spurred Yogyakarta, a number hardly ex- en’s organisations. Their Sec- the dynamics of a civil society pected by the small executive retary General Nursjahbani is a

30 Women in Action No. 3, 1999 member of the MPR, the Peo- cause of the disadvantaged. Her ple’s Consultative Assembly, play about a female labourer who while their demand for a quo- was killed defending the rights rum of 30 percent for women’s of her colleagues relays the sen- participation has become an all- timents raised by injustice. But women’s call. going beyond the stage, she, to- The first of its kind was the gether with her troupe Satu Gerakan Perempuan Sadar Merah Panggung, created the Pemilu (GPSP), which confirmed SIAGA that promoted political the significance of articulating figures Amien Rais and Megawati women’s political aspirations. Sukarnoputri in an effort to bring The then upcoming general down the Suharto regime. She elections (June 1999) provided organised the People’s Summit a timely opportunity. Herawati to coincide with the Govern- Diah, a popular senior figure, in ment’s People’s Consultative As- co-ordination with Debra Yatim sembly, and formed the National of the Women’s Coalition, initi- Forum for Democracy, a coalition ated the movement that was to of 167 groups and non-govern- Nuriyah is Siti Nuriyah, the current First inspire women who used to Lady, rallying for Peace in May 1999, before ment organisations that gained stand outside the activist move- she became the first lady. Her lower body is the support of many prominent ment. With the support of the paralysed, but that has never prevented her opposition figures. United Nations Development from joining in anti-violence actions. The last prisoner under Program (UNDP), GPSP in April President Suharto, Sarumpaet 1999 covered over 80 locations Tedjasukmana and Ratmini was the first to be released after in the Jakarta area. In August Soedjatmoko completely Suharto stepped down from 1999, their activities went as changed their style and power. Since then, Sarumpaet far as Sumatra and orientation, while others took has been involved in Jejak, an Kalimantan, while their news women’s issues as the theme independent institution to foster bulletin Suara Perempuan of their resistance. reconciliation by opening up se- reached 8,250 people in seven The initiative of the exhibit lected human rights cases, and provinces. As UNDP’s assist- of 18 artists (men and women) by bringing justice to victims ance came to an end, the move- held in early December at the under the past regime. The first ment transformed into a self- Cemara-6 Gallery in Jakarta case for which Jejak organised a sustaining foundation, with ac- also broke away from the usual “theatre of the real,” a kind of tivities taking a wider political manner of exhibition by taking tribunal to provoke testimonial focus. Since November 1999, women’s human rights and vio- evidence from the common pub- the re-formed foundation works lence against women as a cen- lic, was on Marsinah. New evi- under the name of Gerakan tral theme for the exhibit and dence in the case led Jejak to Pemberdayaan Swara Perem- for the week-long seminar high- demand that the case, closed puan, the Movement for the lighting several aspects of some years ago, be re-opened. Empowerment of Women. women in the arts, theatre and However, Sarumpaet reveals she For women in the arts, literature. Another significant has received no response so far politics has usually been too reaction came one year later, from the authorities. far-fetched. But the May rapes when Arahmaiani held her solo The upsurge in women’s brought a change of exhibition “Rape ‘n Rob” in dynamics is certainly not lim- sentiment. The works of 16 which the unbalanced distribu- ited to Jakarta. Everywhere in Indonesian women artists tion of power was viewed as a the country, women have displayed under the title basic cause of the May rapes. grouped and acted against pre- “Women in the Realm of Arahmaiani said these works vailing violence. Spirituality,” which had a were inspired by the May rapes. In Makasar, South preview exhibition in Jakarta Before anyone else, noted Sulawesi, a basic stronghold of before they went off to Rome, playwright Ratna Sarumpaet, support for then President made that very clear. Particu- the only woman playwright in In- Habibie, women have taken the larly, senior artists Wiranti donesia, had been drawn to the courage to act against public

Women in Action No. 3, 1999 31 opinion. Pemerhati Masalah unlike her predecessors in this Rights. Her first act as minis- Perempuan, Forum of Observ- job, she will oversee a large part ter was to change the name of ers of Women’s Concerns, of the presidential responsibili- the ministry to reflect its which has been active for sev- ties, among others human change in direction. Thus the eral years, held anti-Habibie rights. It is expected that she State Ministry for the Role of demonstrations when he visited will be working in tandem with Women is now the Ministry for the region. Led by Zohra Andi the Human Rights Minister and the Empowerment of Women. In Baso, 10 members of the Forum the Minister for the Empower- relation, Minister Khofifah in- attended the presidential elec- ment of Women, as well as with troduced what she calls a one- tions, calling on political fac- women’s groups and NGOs. roof policy, meaning that all poli- tions of the People’s Consulta- Erna Witoelar as Minister cies impacting on women from tive Assembly to speak out for Human Settlement and Re- all ministries must pass her of- against the re-election of gional Development holds the fice and the monitoring of the Habibie. In the troubled region key to integrate the gender per- the implementation will also be of , Flower Aceh, an NGO spective into the usual, one- done by her office. for the empowerment of women, sided male perspective in these There is also Siti Nuriyah, gained strength in mid-1998. domains. A former NGO activ- the current First Lady. In an in- Suraya Kamaruzzaman and her ist with a long national and in- terview five days after she en- peers are beacons in the midst ternational experience and a tered her new “position,” she of violence, providing counsel- founding member of the envi- declared that she will not limit ling and seeking access to de- ronmental NGO Walhi and the her role to being her husband’s cision-making for women. Their influential consumer NGO “pendamping” (escort). A wom- outspoken critique of religious- Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen an’s activist before she became based practices perceived to Indonesia, Erna has also been First Lady, she holds a post- violate the human rights of an active supporter of the State- graduate degree from the Uni- women was met with hostility ment on Women’s Political versity of Indonesia’s postgradu- from fundamentalists. Rights. “It is very important that ate programme on women’s I introduce gender-sensitive de- studies, and is a board member Concluding Remarks velopment in the whole set-up of the National Commission on Today, as we stand at the of this department,” she said in Violence Against Women. She end of the 20th century, the un- a recent interview after meeting is also involved in re-interpret- folding of the presidential elec- ing the Kitab Kuning a book on, with the media at her ministry. tions and a declining percent- among others, relations be- She envisions that “this will re- age of women in parliament tween men and women, which sult in a more humane, more demonstrate that the struggle is compulsory reading in the environmentally sound, more for women’s cause has still a pesantren boarding schools for long way to go. Yet, there is a pro-poor, and children-friendly Muslim children. As well, she ray of hope, as the placement as well as elderly- and disabled- was a supporter of the Statement of three women in the current friendly development.” calling for Women’s Political Cabinet is a break from the tra- Khofifah Indar Parawansa Rights. The First Lady says she ditional. It is the first time in has accepted the post of Minis- will focus on violence against Indonesia’s history to have a ter for Women’s Affairs on con- women, which implies a wide woman for vice president. As dition that the post holds more range of gender issues. well, this Cabinet breaks away authority. At 34, she is the from assigning women to what youngest in the Cabinet but one Carla Bianpoen is an observer of are considered as feminine min- with a long experience in poli- women’s development, a freelance tics. An activist, former legisla- reporter, and regular contributor to The isterial positions. In addition, Indonesian Observer. She wrote this much support can be expected tor, known for her boldness and article based on interview, her personal from the First Lady, who comes outspoken critique of the office involvement and close observation of from an activist background. of the Minister for Women’s Af- the Indonesian women’s movement. Vice President Megawati fairs and a proponent of the Peo- Carla Bianpoen can be reached at Jl. D. Bekuan Cl/51, Pejompongan, Sukarnoputri as the second in ple’s Awakening Party, Khofifah Jakarta 10210, Tel: (62-21) 570-4385, command of this country holds was also a signatory of the State- Fax: (62-21) 570-9430, E-mail the second highest position, and ment on Women’s Political .

32 Women in Action No. 3, 1999 STOP KEKERASAN, an anti-violence rally in central Jakarta

Women in Action No. 3, 1999 33