9-12 DECEMBER 2000
LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS
Women & Crisis
The Indonesian Women Studies Workshop is an interdisciplinary network of academics, activists and observers of the situation of women in Indonesia and is affiliated to the University of Leiden and the International Institute for Asian Studies in Leiden. Having published three books resulting from various conferences in the past, this fourth meeting, 'Women and Crisis in Indonesia', held at the KITLV, Leiden, was an attempt to bridge the gap between the work of academics and activists and also to make set up an agenda for collaboration in the future.
* By RATNA SAPTARIResearchers and activists came from different parts of the world (Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Europe) and brought research findings of the political and economic dimensions of Indonesian women in twenty-three papers. An open day was also organized where two keynote speakers gave their views on the situation of Indonesian women, in politics and in cultural representations. The most striking aspect of this workshop was the participation of twelve Indonesian women from women's studies centres and non-governmental organizations from different parts of Indonesia. This workshop was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Novib, Hivos, Cordaid, Neys Hoogstraten, NCDO, and Mama Cash.
This workshop can be broadly divided into two parts. The first part concentrated on the constructions of womanhood in social orders experiencing crises and contestations of legitimacy. In various periods in Indonesian history, 'women' whether as wife, mother or daughter, as a category have been perceived alternately as the 'enemy', 'demon', 'sexually loose', 'morally threatening', 'polluters' and have been subject to various disciplinary measures, by the state, by the military or by religious institutions. In the present this can particularly be seen in the context of the political crisis that Indonesia currently faces. The second part concentrated on the economic and social realities that women in different regions face. These often but not always, contradict the cultural constructions imposed on them through the various formal institutions existing in specific areas. Through these studies, definitions of crisis became more nuanced, some findings emphasized the fact that crisis was not a new phenomenon with certain areas, such as Papua, and certain parts of Sulawesi showing an enduring ecological and economic crisis. Other studies showed the differential impact of the crisis, with certain areas benefiting from export products (such as coffee in South Sumatra and East Java) and the fruits of the harvest not being equally divided. There was also a realization that not all women's studies centres were in touch with the complex, and multi-faceted realities of a nation the legitimacy of which is in question. The gap between 'economics' and 'politics' seem to be still evident here. However questions from the discussants have brought up issues for reflection, and this will be taken up as the agenda of the WIVS in the future to support the development of women's studies in Indonesia and to stimulate discussion among scholars and activists outside Indonesia.
Dr Ratna Saptari is Co-ordinator of the CLARA research programme.
E-mail: chlia@iisg.nl