Volume 2 No.2, 2009 Jakarta Does Independence Still Exist? By Ida Ayu Kade Adi Widiyanti* ndependence is something which is quite difficult to the price of medication is so high, out of their reach. Is there explain. While its meaning is very important for us, we still independence, when all these things are still occurring? Newsletter Imust ask: Can we still experience independence in our We are all aware how important is the meaning of lives? independence, as many other countries are still struggling to The proclamation of Indonesian independence on obtain their own independence. However, we, as a nation, August 17, 1945, was truly hard for us to achieve. which has obtained its independence, have become Independence can be regarded as freedom, as free as free can indifferent to our independence. As part of the younger Woman's Social and Political Role: be, free from anything, free from any form of force, free from generation , being the ones who will carry on the country in any form of demand. Independence is something which is the future, are supposed to manifest our independence very hard to get; even the word “independence” itself usefully by strengthening our motivation to learn. Opportunity to be Agent of Change represents all the country's dreams and struggles. That is why And for the government, sitting up there above us, can many people are suffering, because they want to have their you, government officials, still be thinking about providing By Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas * independence, many people are hungry and being neglected, needed assistance to poor people, when these poor people still being left to die in trying to gain their independence. If our have a hard time even to put food on the table, much less send ne method used to measure the condition of health rights which independence is taken away by force, what else would our life their children to school? Are we supposed to bow our heads human development is the Human are getting ignored. be worth, a life full of hardships and suffering in this and just accept our fate as the result of policies which have Development Index (HDI). Data in 2008 The data shows that been decreed? We are also human beings who have the same O homeland? showed that Indonesia's HDI was in the 108th position out t h e m o t h e r ' s rights as you people up there who are now in power. We would Independence …. What is its significance if we cannot of 177 countries listed by UNDP. It showed that morality rate index fulfill it and sustain it? To fight for it so our nation can be also want to manifest the unfulfilled part of this Indonesia's achievement was relatively low compared to of Indonesia is the maintained as a safe and peaceful country. To fulfill it .... we independence. th In reality we are not yet independent, as the its neighbouring countries such as Singapore (25 ), Brunei worst in ASEAN. have to fill it with important things. There have been many th st rd things carried out by our people, however all of them were independence that we achieved has been regarded as merely (34 ), Malaysia (61 ), Thailand (73 ) and the Philippines In the economic th only done to maintain their status, such as their promises a curiosity. What is the essence of independence if we always (84 ). sector, the populist which have been displayed everywhere, such as have to squeeze and be squeezed? Will this nation be HDI indicators showed that that there were disparities economic system is advertisements aired on TV everyday. independent in body and soul? between men and woman particularly in political not considered as FREE EDUCATION .. is this actually really available? We wish our nation, which is very rich in every aspect , representation. With only 11% women members in the p r i o r i t y i n whether in many different cultures, ethnic groups, religions, Or is this only a formality to 'entertain' the people over the national parliament, it affected greatly woman's access to d e v e l o p m e n t . might unite as one to fulfill our independence, so that this short term, thereafter smashing their hopes? Only you would policy making, unresponsive budget to the gender issues H o w e v e r, t h e know the answer… the BOS funds (earmarked by the nation can become a prosperous one, full with happiness and and ignorance to women's interests. populist economic HH Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas. Government for schools to fund their operations, thereby contentment, not like what we see now, where people only system in Indonesia freeing the students from school fees) are still considered to think of themselves and their egos. In the education sector, expensive school fees hamper be insufficient for the needs of the lower class to secure their women in accessing higher education. When it comes to such as the micro- Opening Address at the higher education, decision making in the family would c r e d i t b u s i n e s s children's rights to obtain an education, because not all the WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE CHILDREN OF WADAH Gathering funds budgeted can fulfill the operational needs of the schools INDONESIA, A NATION SO RICH WITH give more priority to men. Moreover, people's stereotypes involves woman's to educate us. OVERFLOWING NATURAL RESOURCES AND A have put woman in domestic roles while men have been participation on a We also feel that our people have not obtained their VARIETY OF CULTURES FREDOM!!. positioned to earn a living (as the future head of the large scale. The economic crisis in 1997 has proved how education in the field of health care, when many children are family). woman could survive by continuing to earn a living for suffering from malnutrition, as their parents are unable to *From the writing class of FSB SOS Taruna Village. In the health sector, insufficient budget has made their families while some of their husbands were provide sufficient food, and when the children are ill, their State Junior High School No.3, East Selemadeg, Bali. health services inaccessible for people to afford. It affects suspended from their jobs. In banking regulations, woman parents are not able to take them to the doctor or hospital as (Translated from Bahasa Indonesia.) public health conditions, including women's reproduction are discriminated in accessing credit for their businesses. In the political and law sector, low representation of Below: HH Ratu Hemas receiving the baton from a Balinese child women in decision making positions in legislative, dancer to strike the gong for the opening, flanked by Mrs. Anie Hashim executive and judicative institutions has produced WADAH Foundation and members of the WADAH board. gender-insensitive policies, budget allocations which are Yayasan WADAH Titian Harapan not in favour of women's interests and low protection to the rights of women and children. Patron : Anie Hashim Djojohadikusumo (WADAH Foundation) MidPlaza 2 Level 2 The Indonesian woman's face is a reflection of the poor Advisory Board : Dewi Djarot Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11 as they are low in education, sick, poor and vulnerable to be the victims of violence in domestic, public and state Janti Notowidigdo Jakarta 10220 Indonesia Phone: +62 21 570 7789 areas. Sari Sjadzali Fax +62 21 570 7630 Executive Board Email: [email protected] Efforts For Change Chairperson : Retnaning Tyas www.wadah.or.id In its history, even long before its independence in Secretary : Paula Stella Nova Published by WADAH Foundation 1945, Indonesia had been a battleground for woman such Copyright by WADAH Foundation 16 Treasurer : Yekti P Suradji Editor: Daisy Hadmoko as Admiral Malahayati, Cut Nya Dien, Dewi Sartika, R.A. Creative Design: Omar Satriyo Vice Treasurer : Jane Maramis Production: PT. PernikDivaNirwana www.pernik.co.id Kartini, Martha Tiahahu, Walanda Maramis and many more. Each of I them worked in military, government, education, etc. Since Indonesia's first government, women had been actively involved in politics as voters, cabinet ministers and also members of parliament. The audience at the WADAH Gathering held at le Meridien Jakarta. However, patriarchy culture that influenced most civilizations in the world, including Indonesia, has contributed to discrimination against woman since the day they were born. Many limitations had been made Children dancers from Bali at the opening ceremony. WADAH GATHERING on woman in expressing their thoughts freely and openly. Women were also hampered from higher Highlights Role of Coordinators education and participating in public Life. Most young girls were directed to be good wives and mothers, taking n her opening speech at the Wadah Gathering in assistance it is giving – and has given – to many care of their homes and children's Jakarta, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, the royal consort impoverished communities in many parts of Indonesia, education. of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta, lauded through the years, without giving any figures. These cultural barriers have put I the Wadah Foundation for its role in social responsibility women in a difficult position in “The Gathering,” she said, “is to share my experiences, to the Indonesian people, particularly women. building their capacities as good as my learning and the joys of serving the Wadah Foundation what men have in politics, since the “If this social role is integrated into the improvement and watch it grow. It is intended to shed light on Wadah's skill to speak directly, freely, and of women's role in politics, it will serve as an inspiration for heroes, champions, initiatives, beneficiaries and the vast argumentatively are important for a women to be the agent of change, which will determine challenges facing women and their families at this bleak politician.