If you are an Indonesian, you would be no stranger to the national heroine known as Ibu Kartini. An incredible force, Radeng Adjeng Kartini spearheaded the women’s rights movement when Indonesia was under Dutch colonial rule. During a time when women and girls were not given access to any form of education, Kartini founded ‘Sekolah Kartini’, the first school for Javanese girls, that provided them with the education and skills needed, in order to pursue careers and live independent lives. Kartini was undoubtedly a revolutionary who paved the way for women’s education in Indonesia.

Under the presidential rule of Sukarno in 1950-1967, several women were included in leading political parties, namely Kartini Kartaradjasa and Supeni, who were well-known in the Indonesian National Party (PNI). Other women included Walandauw in the Indonesian Christian Party (Parkindo), Mahmuda Mawardi and Wachid Hasyim in the Nadhlatul Ulama Party, and Salawati Daud from the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). However, these women were no longer prominent in said parties with General Suharto as the next president. Suharto’s authoritarian rule was also known as the ‘New Order’, which unfortunately enforced oppressive political systems.

At the time, feminists who fought for gender equality and social change were accused of being a part of the banned Indonesian women’s movement, known as Gerwani (Gerakan Wanita Indonesia). These women have put their lives at risk, fighting for the feminist movement during this era where there was little to no room for freedom. For instance, Julia Suryakusuma wrote about State Ibuism, which criticized the gender politics of the New Order and was interrogated by the police. ‘Ibuism’, ibu translating to ‘mother’ in Indonesian, was an ideology enforced in the governmental policies at the time. It viewed women merely as their husbands’ companions, mothers, and housekeepers.

These views were strongly reinforced by conservative, male-oriented familial and religious teachings. The feminists of this period began multiple programs, from gender awareness training to counseling for women experiencing violence due to challenging the unjust social and political structure. The feminists of the New Order continued to expand their impact on political reformation after Suharto’s era. They assimilated a number of feminist agendas, such as the foundation of the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), the passing of an Anti-Domestic Violence Law, and more.

Published in 2019, an article issued by the Jakarta Post cited a study by a Singapore-based research company, ValueChampion, which found that “Indonesia is the second-most dangerous country for women in the Asia Pacific region. Out of 14 countries, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines are considered to be the least safe for women.” From the lack of access to quality healthcare to weak laws regarding the protection of women, Indonesia still faces major problems surrounding women’s issues to this day. Activists usually face resistance from conservative Muslims.

In 2016, the House of Representatives deliberated on the passing of a bill on sexual violence, which was first proposed after the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Bengkulu during the same year. A group of Muslim conservatives/extremists deemed the bill to be ‘pro-adultery’ and ‘pro-LGBT’. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) conducted a nationwide survey which was commissioned by the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry and found that one in three women in Indonesia suffered violence in their lifetime.

Modern feminism in Indonesia includes the agendas of eradicating child marriage, equal representation in the political sphere, and putting an end to violence toward women. The 2020 Women’s March in Jakarta fought against the abusive dress codes for women and girls in Indonesia, which led to widespread bullying and discrimination in both schools and the workforce. Most recently this year, on the 20th of May, feminists protested in the streets of Jakarta, demanding the increase of political representation of women and marginalized groups, as well as encouraging the government to pass all policies which protect women against violence and oppression. Although the country may still have a long way to go in order to become a fully safe and equal place for women, looking at the history of feminism reminds us that a large change has been made before, and it can surely happen again.

Feminism in Indonesia Throughout the Years

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