Salasika INDONESIAN JOURNAL OF GENDER, WOMEN, CHILD, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION'S STUDIES

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1 – FEBRUARY 2018

Table of Content

A Road to the Recognition of Home-Workers: Transformation of POS Production Modes and Roles of Home-workers in Batik Industry in Central : Case Study in Cluster Batik in Central Java Arianti Ina R. Hunga 1

Advancing Women’s Digital Skills and Economic Empowerment through Girls in Tech : A Case Study Isyfi’afiani 21

Women and Batik Conservation on Muria Slopes: A Study of Female Batik Crafters in Kudus Zaimatus Sa’diyah 33

Against Ahok: An Analysis of Emotion-Driven Movements and Network Power in Jakarta’s 2017 Gubernatorial Election Subekti W. Priyadharma 43

Women’s Circle Approach is An Alternative Path for Gender Responsive Public Procurement System in Indonesia Sartiah Yusran, Eliyanti Agus Mokodompit, & Ulfa Matoka 59

CHIEF EDITORS Dr. Ir. Arianti Ina Restiani Hunga, M.Si. (Scopus ID: 46161114400; Google Scholar); Dr. Phil. Dewi Candraningrum. (Google Scholar).

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Indriretno Setyaningrahayu, M.Pd. (Google Scholar); Daniel Kurniawan, M.Pd. (Google Scholar); Andi Misbahul Pratiwi, M.Si. (Google Scholar).

BOARD OF EDITORS Prof. Claudia Derichs (Scopus ID: 14026487800). Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ida Sabelis (Scopus ID: 6507181398). Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Prof. Siti Kusujiarti.MA. (Scopus ID: 56276925900). Warren Wilson College, USA; Dr. Ratna Saptari (Scopus ID: 6504610910). Leiden University; Prof. Sylvia Tiwon (Scopus ID: 6506468591). University of California; Prof. Dr. Emy Susanti, MA. (Google Scholar). ; Prof. Dr. Ir. Keppi Sukesi, MS. (Scopus ID: 56025803300). Brawijaya University; Dr. Kristi Poerwandari, MA. (Scopus ID: 25628305200). ; Prof. Dr. Willemijn de Jong (Scopus ID: 55258294800). University of Zurich, Switzerland; Prof. Lyn Parker (Scopus ID: 56273266700). The University of Western Australia.

REVIEWERS Prof. Lyn Parker (Scoups ID: 56273266700). University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Dr. Elisabet Titik Murtisari (Scopus ID: 38161752200; Google Scholar). Satya Wacana Christian University; Dr. Wening Udasmoro (Scopus ID: 56493135600; Google Scholar). ; Dr. Phil. Farah Purwaningrum (Scopus ID: 57205254451; Google Scholar). The University of Sydney & Rahayu and Partners in association with HFW; Alimatul Qibtiyah, M.Si. MA. Ph.D. (Scopus & Google Scholar). Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University; Dr. Tyas Retno Wulan, M.Si. (Scopus & Google Scholar). The Jenderal Soedirman University; Dr. Titik Sumarti, MSi. (Scopus & Google Scholar). Bogor Agricultural University; Prof. Dr. Mien Ratoe Oedjoe, MPd. (Google Scholar). The University of Nusa Cendana, Kupang; J. Casey Hammond, PhD. (Scopus & Google Scholar). Singapore University of Technology and Design; Dr. Phil. Ratna Noviani (Google Scholar). Gadjah Mada University; Dr. Rina Herlina Haryanti (Google Scholar). ; Dr. Ida Ruwaida Noor (Google Scholar). University of Indonesia; Dr. Nurjanah, SP.M.Pd. (Google Scholar). State University of Jakarta; Dr. Ir. Evi Feronika Elbaar, M.Si. (Google Scholar). The University of Palangka Raya; Dr. Jendrius M.Si. (Google Scholar). ; Dr. Grace Jenny Soputan, SE. (Google Scholar). ; Dr. Anis Farida, S.Sos., SH., M.Si. (Scopus & Google Scholar). Sunan Ampel State Islamic University Surabaya; Ira Desiaanti Mangiliko, S.Si,.Ph.D. (Google Scholar). The Artha Wacana Christian University. Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for gender responsive public procurement system in Indonesia

Sartiah Yusran, Eliyanti Agus Mokodompit, & Ulfa Matoka Faculty of Public Health, Haluoleo University & Faculty of Economy, Haluoleo University [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT Public procurement is a strategic public-sector function that has been recognized as a vehicle in supporting the government to achieve social goals and sustainable economic development. In line with this, gender inequality can be a significant constraint to economic growth and poverty reduction. Women procurement specialists have experienced inequality access and poor participation in the capacity building program and lack of contribution being leaders in public procurement managerial positions. Most females who attended the training have returned their certificates due to the challenges of being the procurement committee. These indicate female gaps, barriers, and obstacles in working as procurement specialists. The main purpose of this study is to identify the importance of Women’s Circle initiative to obtain additional support in increasing women’s capacity to provide services better and succeed in the profession; to improve skills and networking of women and access, participate and perform their tasks as the procurement professional. The study reveals that the issue of female procurement specialist is still ‘underground’ and programs related to female procurement profession remain ‘absent’. Gender stereotypes and discrimination indicate the main gaps to promote to the manager position, even though they have a high level of education, smart and also a good commitment to their work. Women are still recognized as the second group and are not allowed to play a leadership role, to some extent. This is due to the burden of domestic responsibilities that eventually catch up with them, making it difficult to remain in that role for an extended period of time. As a consequence, they have lack of self-confident, self-respect, self-esteem and also lack of capacities in communication and leadership skills and no motivation to promote themselves to the higher position. They agreed for the Women’s Circle initiative and this forum plays a vital role in supporting female professional capacity, enhancing the bargaining position and, empowering women to negotiate career development. Women’s Circle approach is a strategic path and potentially being an Educational and Training-based Forum or Learning-based forum; an agent of Reform-based Forum and as a Networking-based Forum. For a long-term benefit, Women’s Circle becomes an agent of change among women procurement specialist that finally led to being champions for Indonesian government procurement in reaching the quality of being more equitable, transparent and accountable. This approach is one of the indicators for increasing the quality of procurement modernization program with a gender perspective. KEYWORDS: Women’s Circle, procurement, gender and women procurement specialist. 59

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INTRODUCTION extent that such savings are utilized to procure additional growth- Indonesia is facing many problems enhancing goods and services. This is in sustainable development, a significant effort to modernize its following a deep fiscal crisis in the public procurement system (Kirton, late 1990s due to mainly the 2013). explosion of public debt (World Bank, 2001). The government of National Public Procurement Indonesia has moved with some Agency has signed Memorandum of efforts to address the crisis and one of Understanding (MoU) with the steps indicated public Millennium Challenge Account procurement as a tool to improve the (MCA) –Indonesia and agreed to sign efficiency and the effectiveness of implementing Entity Agreement public spending. Nowadays, there (IEA) for Procurement have been some progress, especially Modernization Project in August in the improvement of public 2013 in supporting 29 Procurement procurement management as a Service Units for the whole period of strategic activity and a resource to Procurement Modernization as a improve the quality of government pilot project 2013-2018. Procurement services (Sadikin, 2007, p. 597). professionalization program has conducted human resources training The important role of public and has been trained 154 public procurement is now become more procurement specialists and only 32 and more recognized and give special women participants among them at attention in developing the concept, the first phase. This shows that about regulations as well as institutional 20% only women procurement staff building (Kirton, 2013). The who had attended the training. Government of Indonesia has Nevertheless, it was a very first stage officially established the National of the training program of the project Public Procurement Agency in 2007 intervention. The above data and it has been seen as a strategic indicates the gap between men and public-sector function; a women participants, whereas women fundamental component that have less access and participated in increasingly being recognized as a the training. This means gender vehicle to support governments in inequality still become major order to achieve social goals and concern in public procurement sustainable economic development; policy (MCA- Indonesia, 2014). and as one of the efforts in reducing the burden of public debt (UNDP, Although National Public 2010, p. 5). The National Public Procurement Agency does not Procurement Agency also plays a explicitly discriminate against vital role to assist government to women, procurement realm is still enhance economic growth by men dominated profession. For achieving cost savings for the public example, previous professional sector for procured goods and training reported that most women services, while maintaining or who attended the training have enhancing the quality or value of returned their certificate due to the those goods and services (MCA- challenges of being procurement Indonesia Report, 2014). Public cost committee. These two issues have 60 savings could enhance growth to the indicated women’s barriers and

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

obstacles in working as procurement long-term objective of women’s specialist. In addition, the Circle aiming to improve skills and involvement of women in networking of women procurement procurement committee may also specialists to access, participate and influence by policy makers who less perform their tasks as the sensitive and understanding about procurement professional. gender mainstreaming policy (SGIP, Therefore, this study was conducted 2014). to follow up the initiation of Women’s Circle formation in Lack of comprehensive study on supporting women as a special public procurement professional function and role in procurement looking at gender perspective in services and to find out the procurement and limited data are appropriate framework suits the available on issues of female needs of women procurement procurement involvement and profession. contribution. The only one, Gender Vendor Survey (2013) conducted on access to procurement, key barrier This study was conducted in 29 and trends reveals a number of gaps, Procurement Service Units (PSU) as a barriers and obstacles became entry pilot project of MCA-Indonesia all points to encourage and improve the over Indonesia. The total sample was ability of both male and female sixty four (64) women as initiators procurement professional to equally who were public procurement participate in procurement process. employment from these 29 PSUs This first study in public pilot and have been selected as the procurement also found that respondent of this study. Ten (10) procurement realm is dominated by Key informants, 4 men and 6 women, male profession in which women are were representation from different employed at lower positions, with the profession such as private similar levels of education. In procurement, women activist, addition, lack of representation of Ministry of Women Empowerment, women among procurement National Public Procurement committee bodies may lead to Agency, NGO and women leader. missed opportunities to integrate gender perspectives or women’s This study applied a qualitative exclusion from available descriptive analysis and the data was opportunities (MCA-Indonesia, collected through; 1) Focus Group 2014). These above gaps and barriers Discussion (FGD); 2) In-depth justify that women procurement interview; 3) Expert Group Meeting need some supports. (EGM); and 4) workshops and seminars in order to determine the The main purpose of this study is needs of women procurement to identify the importance of specialist in increasing their capacity Women‘s Circle formation for through Women’s Circle approach. female procurement specialists to Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with obtain additional support in reducing procurement specialist and carrying the existing gaps and barriers and out either in Jakarta, neither outside increasing their capacity in order to of Jakarta with government and non- serve the procurement process better government institutions, including and succeed in the profession. The 61

SALASIKA: Indonesian Journal of Gender, Women, Child, & Social Inclusion's Studies Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2018

the Indonesia Association of justified. Both direct and indirect Procurement Professionals based on discrimination is prohibited, and no National Public Procurement national preferences are allowed. Agency’s recommendations to collate This principle applies in public direct experiences and the needs in procurement system which designing scope of the Women’s contracting authorities must remain Circle program and activities. In- non-biased and impartial toward all depth interview were conducted in procurement specialists both men as , Bandung and Jakarta with well as female (Kirton el, 2013). different participants representing Internationally, gender inequality Easter Indonesia region, Western and women’s lack of empowerment Indonesia and Central Indonesia or have been recognized as one of the regional Indonesia. Another data reasons in blocking economic were collected from expert group development and poverty reduction meeting, seminar and workshop in (World Bank, 2012). Although the capturing data from different term used is gender equality and sources. These bring a description of women empowerment in practice, Women’s Circle formation with these often refer to affording women comprehensive descriptive equal access and participation by qualitative. seeking to improve their capabilities, since most societies tend to follow a patriarchal tradition. Therefore, the GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN linkage between gender equality, EMPOWERMENT AND PUBLIC women empowerment and public PROCUREMENT POLICY procurement policy investigates the Gender equality is a universal goal inclusiveness government that is found through some of the procurement policy and program world’s commitment and in many with the effective management of international instruments. For very standard resources. How the example, the Charter of the United issue of gender equality and women Nations, the Universal Declaration of empowerment can be integrated Human Rights (1948) and the internally in order to accelerate Convention on the Elimination of all sustainable economic out comes in Forms of Discrimination Against line with the concept of human Women (CEDAW, 1979; UNTAC, capital development (World Bank, 2004). Laws and regulation require 2012). Adding a gender dimension to to measures on non-discrimination public procurement issue represents both international and national and a commitment to achieving gender have the same opportunity for equality where it matters most in equality treatment. These are being policies governing the flow of recognized as a cornerstone of public economic resources (UNCTAD, procurement. This principle strongly 2004). encourages avoiding any At the same time, gender discrimination in any part of the inequality is also the challenge, if the world (Coc. he el, 2006). This means analysis based on the Indonesia that all nationalities shall be treated in Women’s Profile. The picture of the same manner, unless the women in 2015, availability of the 62 difference is agreed and objectively data shows that 4.467.982 thousands

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

public servants and 47.79 percent are On the other hand, the women and 52.21 percent are men. Government of Indonesia’s National This suggests that there is an equal Development Plan (2010-2025) opportunity for both men and includes gender as one of the three women access to be public services cross-cutting issues to be addressed including public procurement, across all development sectors and whereas women represent 48 percent other two cross cutting issues are of all the staff. However, data also sustainable development and shows that only two percent of all governance (MCA-Indonesia, 2014). women workforces in the public Indonesia has a National Gender servant having managerial level Mainstreaming Strategy in National comparing with seven percent of the and Development Panning and women of the workforce. Women’s Programming based on the overall representation in decision- Presidential Instruction No 9/2000. making positions is twenty eight The regulation underlines that percent, but they are much more Gender Mainstreaming direct all numerous at the lower echelons government ministries and agencies where they comprise twenty five to adopt a gender mainstreaming percent of echelon III and IV each. In strategy (MCC, 2011). This law echelon I and II women only requires all government agencies at constitute nine percent and eight the national and sub-national levels percent respectively to integrate gender perspectives into http://www.bkn.go.id. planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring and The above data indicates that evaluation of policies, programs, women have less access and projects and activities of the participation to be leaders in ministries/non-departmental government bodies. While the government, agencies, governors and number of women and men being mayors (Asian Development Bank, public servants are almost equal. 2015). The law states explicitly that However, a gap remains between ‘de gender mainstreaming’s strategy is jure’ and ‘de facto’ implementation of essential part in achieving gender a gender component in public equality and equity and this implies procurement policy, as well as in the that men and women should have success of the efforts to achieve the equal opportunities in fulfilling the stated goal of gender equality (Kirton same position at all level of the civil el, 2013, p. 17). At the same time, the services (World Bank, 2012). authority on human rights perspective and public procurement In the context of public law underlines that the use of public procurement system, there is no procurement to achieve social comprehensive gender works in outcome is widespread, however, in public procurement professional and the context of Indonesia its use to limited data are available on issues of promote equality on the basis of women procurement involvement ethnicity and gender. While closing and contribution. A gender study gender gaps is a matter of human conducted on access to procurement rights and equity, it is also one of and key findings reveal a number of efficiency of public procurement gaps, barriers and obstacles may issues (Kirton, 2013). become an entry points to encourage 63

SALASIKA: Indonesian Journal of Gender, Women, Child, & Social Inclusion's Studies Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2018

and improve the ability of both men Procurement Service Unit. The and women procurement study also claimed that although professional to equally participate in women have rights to access and to procurement process. In addition, participate to the higher position, lack of representation of women unfortunately, the data indicates among procurement committee strong under-representation of bodies may lead to missed women in the profession, especially opportunities to integrate gender at the highest echelons, even though perspectives or women’s exclusion some women are down in the 3rd from available opportunities (MCA- echelon level. Indonesia, 2014). This first gender In the context of Public survey reveals some gaps and Procurement Policy, a Presidential barriers to access and participate into Decree No. 70/2012 on Government procurement services among women Procurement gives emphasis on the procurement specialist. The study principles of transparency, openness, also recommends that these gaps and equity and non-discriminative to all barriers could become an entry point parties and accountability (MCA- to integrate gender dimension into Indonesia, 2014). This decree clearly procurement program and activities. underlines non-discrimination However, this gender survey mostly between men and women who deal focused on men and women-owned with public procurement process. firm (MCA-Indonesia, 2014). However theoretically, public Despite the lack of data from procurement has been introduced as previous studies focusing on the a gender-neutral concept. A number issues of women procurement of literatures indicated that gender involvement and contribution, a discourse only comes out in the number of barriers also discussed context of domestic economy during the gender coordinating perspective including women-owned meeting in West Nusa Tenggara. The firm issues. However, there are FGD discussed issues of women’s gender responsive procurement access and participation in their effects in the Public Procurement works, and identified a small Policy (PPP) including the social issue number of women who included in of women as public procurement procurement committee in specialist (Sadikin, 2007). Procurement Service Unit. This is not The substantial steps in the public because of lack of understanding of sector procurement legal reform their works, but due to cultural process were; first, Presidential barrier and having less confident to Decree no 18/2000 and this decree’s work as part of decision-making existence was supported by team. It was also found amendments, since 1994. Second, a approximately 90% of women higher level of the development of procurement specialists who law and regulation was enacted in participated in professional training 1999 for several aspects and the main and have qualification, they returned issue was the procurement of civil their certificate due to lack of works and related consulting motivation being involved as services. New directives for this decision maker and hold Construction Law were also issued in responsibility as Head of 64 2000. Furthermore, other laws,

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

either enacted or in draft, in respect National Public Procurement Office. to State Finance, Treasury, Audit, and This effort was supported by a Small-Scale Business all make secretariat and three working groups reference to, and impact on public responsible for legal and policy, procurement (Indonesian Public institutional, and human resource Procurement, 2007). development (CGI, 2001). Historically, some progress In line with gender responsive provided a promising success to public procurement policy, previous improve the process of public survey mostly focused on female- procurement management reform owned firms and limited information and steps that have been done before about their opportunities to engage are as follows; Firstly, Consultative in business transactions through Group on Indonesia had a meeting in procurement biding. The previous Tokyo in October 2000, the survey underlined that only Government of Indonesia confirmed approximately 5% of women its commitment to reforms of the entrepreneurs who successfully won public procurement system; the bid related to Procurement Secondly, some initial Modernization by the Indonesian recommendations provided by government. The survey also found World Bank (2001) through a that most often faced discrimination Country Procurement Assessment and harassment in biding with Report in 200 had been contributed government staff (ADB, 2015). to a dialogue with the Government of However, very limited studies Indonesia focusing on the ways to focused on women procurement make the public procurement system specialist as the decision-making economic, efficient, transparent and team in implementing gender more predictable with those responsive public procurement recommendations mentioned. The policy. Government of Indonesia has At the same time, the purpose of committed in three main points the procurement modernization particularly for; firstly, ensuring the project is to alleviate poverty. The same standards for procurement and project must be done effectively and financial management are applied at transparently in understanding national, provincial and district directly how much influence women levels; secondly, establishing a officials in the public procurement. National Public Procurement Office Therefore, it can be argued that in the in formulating procurement policy, concept of human capital enhancing and monitoring development, public procurement compliance; and supporting National cannot be focused the good sector Public Procurement Office in the only, but also in services issues. The formulation of a public procurement result of interview conducted for this law/regulation. The last, National study found that although the Planning and Development Board government of Indonesia has a was responsible for procurement gender mainstreaming and women reform and has established a steering empowerment policy and program, committee to follow up the but the issue of women procurement Consultative Group on Indonesia’s specialist is still ‘underground’. It can commitment in developing a be argued that gender equality and 65

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women empowerment are also most significant gender inequality integrated into public procurement challenge for Indonesia. In the issue policy and follow that protocol. of public procurement, respondent who represented Ministry of Women For a long-term benefit, Women’s Empowerment claimed that Circle is expected to be sustained as programs related to women an official independent organization procurement are almost absent. The for women public officers, once the only intervention is focused on the step of intervention had been issues of women business activities. working properly. In the era of For example, in the bidding process, Women in Development, several the announcement identified women’s organizations managed to participants of tender are eligible for provide support to women and but both women and men entrepreneur most of them varies greatly; such as and they are encouraged to non-governmental organization or participate. This simple statement civil society organization, women’s obviously confirms the support for professions (Joseph S, 2014). women as well as men without Indonesia has also recognized two discrimination on the basis of sex in women’s organization under procurement issues. Although this government’s body. However, the statement still underlines women main focus is basically for enterprise only, but this also indicates empowering the wives of male public that women participation in working officers, and some female public force is still low including in public officers may become members. procurement setting. Another women’s professional organization are Association of However, Sadikin (2007) reported Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs that; and Indonesian Women’s In few cases like Ministry of Association for Justice and none of Transportation, it is a good these organizations concentrate to example on women empowerment women public officer’s as an perspective in public procurement independent organization that issues. They changed the technical support women’s capacity specification on ramp access for development. Therefore, women’s ‘bus-way’ of Trans-Jakarta. At Circle will be the only one female present, there are seven corridor government officers’ association routes to be more slopes, so women, supporting their career development kids and elderly are more including the issue of women in comfortable and more secure to use leadership. the ramp access. While the design needs more spacious land, women and elderly participation in GAPS, BARRIERS AND traveling by Trans-Jakarta has CHALLENGES OF WOMEN IN increased (p. 604). PROCUREMENT SYSTEM This is one path or another The Global Gender Gap Report strategy to execute the bidding (2014) reported by the World transaction and how public Economic Forum underlined that procurement professional use gender women’s participation and mindset to see the priority of public 66 opportunity in economic sector is the

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

procurement services. On the other women entrepreneurs to successfully hand, the empowerment of public with government contracts. At the procurement officers for quality of same time, the policy makers also services, especially women officer is need to make sure the involvement another angle that needs to take into of women procurement specialist to account in order to support the support the improvement of services. gender responsive procurement Therefore, Indonesia public services. procurement policy, program and Despite the lack of studies in activities in line with women Indonesia focus on how women empowerment issue cannot just procurement professional contribute focus on women entrepreneur only. to the implementation of public There is a need to consider and to procurement, several assessment improve the quality of women shows a number of gaps and barriers procurement specialist who provides in procurement system such as fewer services. This study found that women participate in procurement Women’s Circle approach has come committee, lack of understanding of for a number of specific reasons and their works; they are not ready yet to some of which are discussed related be decision makers on the head of to women procurement’s gaps such procurement service unit due to less as lack of access, participation and confident, lack of skill as well as contribution in decision making cultural barriers. This preliminary position, lack of involvement in data suggests that there is a strong procurement committee bodies and under-representation of women in lack of communication, negotiation, their profession. Therefore, gender and decisions making skills as well as requirement issue in public lack of representation in Human procurement is one of the Resource Development training approaches in involving more program that lead them have lower women in public procurement level of leadership skills comparing services. with men procurement profession. It is a question both of ensuring This was not merely because of that all citizens are offered equal men do not provide access and services regardless of gender but also promote women as decision makers, a matter of increasing efficiency and but it was due to internal issues of quality of services. The study of women in some cases. They have lack Kirton (2013) recommends that there of self-respect, confidence and self- is a need to widen policies beyond the esteem, lack of capacities in local to the global arena and communication, negotiation and encourage women to take on more decision-making skills. In some cases, leadership roles within procurement. they do not want to be included in In addition, there is also a need to procurement committee due to the increase women networks nationally intervention from decision makers and internationally and to enhance who have less sensitive towards the capacity of women to take on women’s role and responsibilities. decision making roles in order to They are also afraid of having a legal effect any significant change. This problem related to the procurement suggests that policy makers are mechanism because of third party’s unlikely to know the extent to which intervention including the issue of 67

SALASIKA: Indonesian Journal of Gender, Women, Child, & Social Inclusion's Studies Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2018

corruption. Although, in some cases, discrimination and stereotype about female can access and participate to women in leadership have been the be decision making team in their main barriers and challenges. career pathways, the numbers of Women are still recognized as the them are very small. second class in society and less opportunity to play a leadership role, This study identifies women although policies, regulation and access and participation in public initiatives should make people procurement indicating as a main understand societal priorities and problem, and they are mostly in reach a higher level of consensus on lower level position. Ratio of women women leadership role. in managerial position is very low comparing with their participation FGD’s participant from Eastern rate. This is due to several reasons; Indonesia expressed her experience: Respondents from Western In my place, it is difficult to Indonesia and more developed promote women as leaders, even region claimed that women have though they have high level of equal access and opportunity as men education, smart and having good in leadership position, however commitment due to strong gender women experience more challenge discrimination and stereotype in than men, and one of them stated; our society (Ina, West Nusa In my office, women play an Tenggara). important role in procurement The level of formal education has service; men even see women have no longer become a gap between good opportunities as potential men and women in procurement leaders, especially among smart issues nationally. However, in women, well-educated and have relation with leadership and high level commitment and decision-making position, most responsibility for their work, women are placed in a lower position therefore I cannot see any cultural comparing with men. While few discrimination and stereotype in women who have higher positions in terms of women in leadership, procurement workplace, the burden however, women face a challenge of domestic responsibilities such as in public procurement only because childcare and other domestic works, of over loaded (Sri, East Java). eventually catches up with them. This suggests that opportunities in It is claimed that cultural barrier promoting women to the top especially the issue of gender manager is not strongly because of a discrimination and stereotype make cultural barrier, and this does not them difficult to remain in that role indicate as the main gap for Javanese for an extended period of time. ethnic and other tribes in Western These mostly seem to be cultural Indonesia. Internal capacities differences in some places. While in including lack of confident are the another places, leadership issue is main reasons for promoting women actually from women’s internal public procurement in the higher motivation. Although they have a position. On the other hand, several high level of formal education, they places in Eastern Indonesia indicate are reluctant to be promoted due to cultural differences, gender 68 gender stereotype of women having

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double burden. This has been objectives, and achieving program influenced in daily life both in the results. office and also at home. These are the most challenging gaps and obstacles among women procurement THE FRAMEWORK OF specialist. Issue related to lack of WOMEN’S CIRCLE understanding and knowledge on procurement system might occur for The rationale of Women’s Circle those who just appointed to be formation is equity or ‘closing the procurement staff and they do not gaps, barrier and challenges’ as an have any procurement background. overriding goal provides high level This is common for public officers entry point in women who always mobilize and move from empowerment, gender and social one sector to another sector, equity across procurement. Women’s therefore, public procurement staff Circle initiative responds to needs to be trained. government policies, recognition that disparities undermine progress The gap can be found in this in achieving Indonesia’s gender situation when women have lack of equity and also concern that the gaps access and participation in and barrier are widening. This initial professional training. In most cases, study has provided positive steps women are put in the second row or about Women’s Circle formation and second priority to be participant in the framework of the forum has been certain professional training. Then, formulated based on the expectation the opportunity to increase their of the respondents. knowledge and understanding on their work are limited and many Women’s Circle is defined as a women procurement specialist are forum for ongoing dialogues among far behind due to the fact that they women procurement specialist lack of skills and less professional. As where they can meets regularly, a consequence women experience sustained formal and informal lack of opportunities to be promoted gathering and create a conducive into higher level position. This case place for professionalism to has become an obstacles and place congregate for confidences, self- women in difficult position to respect, self-esteem, increasing increase their skills and for their capacities to reduce the gap in terms career development. Then, women’s of knowledge, experiences and leadership position ends up with perceptions of government questionable. procurement; and enhance bargaining position and empowering Therefore, sustaining policy, women procurement specialist to regulation and program attention to negotiate career development. In women empowerment and gender another word, women’s circle is ‘a equity require concerted and place to meet, to have dialogue and systematic effort for them to be networking on a regular basis, either translated into action. This strategy formal or informal way to increase provides the framework for how professionalisms, to reach for career Women’s Circle promotes women development and to stay for empowerment and gender equity leadership position. 69

SALASIKA: Indonesian Journal of Gender, Women, Child, & Social Inclusion's Studies Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2018

The ultimate objectives of the benefit, the forum becomes an agent Women’s Circle have been of change among women formulated into a short-term and a procurement specialist that finally long-term objective with series of led to be champions for Indonesian interventions in assisting and government procurement in supporting women procurement reaching the quality of being more specialist to reduce the gaps, barriers equitable, transparent and and challenges of women access and accountable. participation in public procurement In summary, Women’s Circle services. At the same time, increasing framework was developed based on women’s capacities, decision making the result of this study, as shown in and negotiations skills, self-respect, Figure 1. confidence, self-esteem and career development path as procurement Figure 1 underlines that Women’s professional for a long-term benefit Circle has been initiated as the first are the major concern, including layer intervention to minimize changing women’s mind set for being gender inequality issue public minority group. This is related to procurement. This approach is also gender stereotypes as underlined in another path to empower as well as to previous discussion. strengthen the individual capacity among women procurement Women’s Circle is also expected specialists. Women’s Circle plays to be a change agent for enhancing different vital roles for sustainability gender perspective in procurement of the forum with the following system through a gender inclusive approaches; and transparent process once women procurement specialist participated A LEARNING-BASED APPROACH; in Women Circle. For a long-term capacity building activities have been

FIGURE 1. An Overview of Indonesia Women 70 Procurement Specialist Forum

Women’s Circle Approach is an alternative path for … (Yusran, Mokodompit, Matoka)

categorized two different focuses; the procurement specialist who works in first target is activities focusing on non-government procurement agent reducing gaps, barriers and is another strategy to gain exchange challenges, enhancing women’s program, sharing information and internal capacities (self-respect, mentorship issues and the status of confident and self-esteem) and being independent forum for a long- increasing their knowledge and skills: term benefit. This approach also communication, negotiation, benefits to the membership point of decision making and leaders. These view that more flexible to recruit activities have to create societal both government and non- common understanding and government procurement staff. awareness that underline importance Practicing the concept of gender- of women equality and leadership responsive procurement reform starting from women themselves. through ULP pilot is also another The second target is to increase the strategy in building a network in all organizational capacity such as level; national, regional and local training of trainer (TOT) and level and for a long-term target is developing some module and tools of reaching an international networking organization such as education, procurement agent, especially communication and information related to center for capacity building tools. This strategy could support programs. sustainability of the forum, enhancing professionalism and also promoting the forum program CONCLUSION implementation. This study draws several AN AGENT OF REFORM: the conclusions in the need of Women’s implementation of bureaucracy- Circle approach as an alternative path reform’ needs to take into account in for reaching gender responsive order to apply procurement reform procurement policy and program. system including policy, regulation Firstly, the gaps, barriers and and initiative on gender-based challenges experienced by women procurement modernization procurements specialist are mainly through comparative study. due to a) internal capacities of Disseminating information in women; b) cultural barrier in the sharing knowledge both national and point of cultural discrimination and international level and addressing the gender stereotype; c) women are best practice on gender-based reluctant to join procurement procurement reform is also another committees and take up decision intervention that leads women to be making positions due to more knowledgeable. management, cultural and political influence. These are the underlining AN AGENT OF NETWORKING: an issues that have limited opportunity urgent need to develop some of women procurement specialists to communication tools (training access and participate fully and materials, brochure, leaflet and contribute in the procurement online material through blog and web of forum) in assisting women’s services. networking. In another concept, Secondly, Women’s Circle sharing experience with women initiative has been identified as one 71

SALASIKA: Indonesian Journal of Gender, Women, Child, & Social Inclusion's Studies Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2018

of ‘the promising solution’ since the Finally, a political will and National Public Procurement Agency commitment to support women who needs to ensure that women’s are less skills and access in public equitably benefit from the procurement services is timely opportunities arising, and its through Women’s Circle approach. intervention requires additional The Women’s Circle engagement efforts as an alternative solution for inform the future capacity building reaching the goal of gender program for women procurement responsive public procurement professionals that might be formally system. Building a strong adopted by government ministries institutional capacity and creating a and institutions particularly by the cadre of and career streams for Procurement Service Unit. women procurement practitioners as

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