Celebrating Mother's, Outlining Women's Politics in Indonesia

 

 

                                          These two pictures show the process of learning

Celebrating Mother's Day , Outlining Women's Politics in Indonesia
By Farsijana Adeney - Risakotta

Today, before it passes , the date of December 22nd  is Mother's Day  in Indonesia. I was nervous from yesterday to pour my voice that interferes within my sleep . California is not like Boston,  so after all the family  lying under a blanket , heather is turned off . I got up early but it was too cold to get out from bed to start writing . This afternoon after finished attending worship of the fourth week of advent  First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley,   I asked my husband to bring me back home where I could begin my writing. I had to leave my laptop to join several family gatherings today, but I know I could not go to bed before posting this. My axiety is how I interpret the Mother's Day this year ?

Last year , on Mother's Day , I organized a Workshop on Parliament's office to bring representatives of the people , especially women legislators , a senator  from Yogyakarta , Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas , and civil society in Yogyakarta together to discuss the topic " Empowerment of civil society and legislators to overcoming corruption " . The purpose of the implementation of these activities was to build a commitment to from the people's representative and civil society to have a forum by which these two institutions together could control the work of legislators in budgeting and implementation of programs undertaken by the government .

This year I am in the United States so that the chance now I would like to compare the celebration of Mother's Day here with that done in Indonesia. In the United States and other countries in the world, the celebration of Mother's Day performed at the 2nd week in May. At that time women who are mothers in the family are given the opportunity to receive services and the strengthening of family members. Usually they are freed from the daily chores on Mother's Day. In the United States, the families do not have domestic workers, so that domestic work done by mothers, fathers, and children in turn. 

Mother's Day celebrations in Indonesia associated with the celebration of the organization of the First Indonesian Women's Congress which took place in 1928 in Yogyakarta . 1928 was an important year for Indonesian people who at that time were colonized by the Dutch. Young men, who came from different regions around the Dutch East Indies did Youth Congress and raised the famous pledge called Youth Pledge on October 28, 1928. Its says

We are sons and daughters of Indonesia, which vow in one  blood, Indonesian soil.
We are sons and daughters of Indonesia which claimed one nation, the Indonesian nation.
 We are sons and daughters of Indonesia uphold the national language, Indonesia.

Two months later , the women who are members of religious organizations , secular met to discuss about the role of women in the struggle for the liberation of Indonesia from Dutch colonialism . Women's organizations presented at the execution of the first Indonesian Women's Congress there were 30 which came from Java and Sumatra . This was very important because discussions about improving education for girls and women to learn accessible. The congress encouraged the colonial government to provide additional school for girls and intensive scholarships so that women can learn .

Women’s dream of their struggle against  lack opportunity of Indonesian women to be smart influence to their capabilities to  make important decisions for their lives . If women become smart then the chances are women those are trapped as victims of polygamy could be reduced . The expectations of the female participants First Indonesian Women's Congress were high . First Indonesian Women's Congress became arbor where they can think of the problems inherent in determining a family trip to the nation forward .

Awareness of women's equality in Indonesia appeared strong fighting spirit though they do without the word " feminism " . The women from different backgrounds come together to find a way out . I imagine they came from Sumatra by board  then continue by train to Yogyakarta . The women in Yogyakarta who had the opportunity to get education through education initiated by the “Taman Siswa”  with the leadership of Ki Hajar Dewantara opened the door of their city to accept women from across Java and Sumatra to conduct the Congress.  Education is the window for women to overcome the problems in families with and society .

 The emphasis of the celebration of Mother's Day as an Indonesian women's political movement often has forgotten about women's role as agents of change for others .  Women who educated at “Taman Siswa” educated students to understand the power of  their methods as done in the “Taman Siswa” , which are to be the example where in the front , to be motivated  where in the middle and to be supported where in the back. Equal learning environment has helped women see strength in themselves.

This atmosphere was the characterizes of the First Congress of Women of Indonesia on December 22, 1928 . Differences in social status , religion , political orientation was not a barrier for women to sit together to discuss about their problems which were the fact other women across the country who are illiterate . If women could read they would be involved to make their own decisions . Women make the dream to themselves than just to give their bodies in marriages. The power of the dream will drain the beauty of women when women understand the desire and are able to pass on to family , peers and the community around it .

The women who attended the congress in Yogyakarta inspired by the stories of other women who were born in colonial times but was able to fight for the injustice done to the surrounding residents . Kartini , her name was already well known at the time . Her story tragically died after childbirth and left her a book that revolted against aristocratic society that preserved the structure of polygamy  that was used as an example to explore many stories of kinship among women across the country . Great inspiration came to women leaders from  many regions that led the war against the Netherlands , such Cut Nyak Dhien (Aceh) , Martha Christina Tiahahu (Maluku) , Nyai Ageng Serang (Jawa) . These figures were very loving community of women who were within the confines of colonialism . They stood up for justice . The pen was the tool of their struggle , but also dexterity , intelligence in building tactics made invaders overwhelmed to deal with them .

I remember when visiting the home of Cut Nyak Dhien in Padang . With a belief in the Islamic faith , Cut Nyak Dhien declared war against the Netherlands . Her house was filled with prayers in Arabic that gives strength to continue the struggle against the Dutch . Dutch shot  to death her first husband,  then Cut Nyak Dhien was married to Teuku Umar who also later died from the shot of the Dutch. There was no other choice , Cut Nyak Dhien swore, with his “recong” ( a special sword) she expressed opposition to the Netherlands until the end.

Celebrating Mother's Day , outlining the Indonesian women's political , is careful to defend the women fighters in the history of Indonesia . They live not for himself . They do not have a virtual media as it is today . They were across the frontier against ignorance female neighbor , against exploitation and discrimination committed by the invaders . Their life was very simple . Now women in Indonesia , though still struggling to fill the participation of women in politics , including representing other women in the country's political positions , they have better fate . But what of the real face of Indonesian women . National Commission publishes annual report  that still shows a high rate of violence among women in Indonesia . The violence because of social conflicts in society cause women are victims . Domestic violence is still very high even though the women activists and parliamentarians have managed to encourage the birth of the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence .

Indonesian women's political outlines , it can not just stop on the explanation of how the number of women sitting on political office in the parliament , government , or women who frequently gives lectures to make policy but cases continued to strengthen violence in society . Indonesian women's political outlines , is thinking strategically about political education simplest done to all Indonesian women .

I am in between my tasks  of teaching, in service with the Indonesian Women's Coalition, I rode my motorcycle to visit women in remote villages to jointly discuss Domestic Violence Act produced by the state to protect women . Facilitating women in Gunung Kidul which has the highest suicide rate in Indonesia , so that they could talk , it requires appreciation of the struggle to understand the ordinary women .

I stayed with them , hear their stories , going with them to their the fields, visiting the places where they worked before training began on  Domestic Violence Act and more educational discussion . We sang together . We described one by one the obstacles they face in the marital relationship . Simulation is done when they are still reluctant to share their own experiences . When it suddenly became clear stretched their minds about suffering and hope out of it , they can design their own sequence of actions when there is a crisis of violence in the village itself .

 

Grassroots women remind women politicians using the representation received from the community with responsibility so do not get caught in the tangled human frailty fight corruption so that they have to move from house of the State to house of prisoners. Grassroots women this is supposed to be enlightened women politicians to remember their true calling serving fellow citizens who fought. Unto them, I would like to share this story, and say Happy Mother Day.