In YouTube @LetssTalk_Sexualities that presents a zoom meeting webinar, Lestari Nurhajati from LSPR offers a congratulation for the publication of “Transformation of Feminism in Indonesia: Inclusiveness and Inter-sectionality” by LetssTalk and Konde.co which reflects a joint endeavours by feminist activists. One thing that they can do is to disseminate information and knowledge about feminism.
Lestari emphasises that there are many very professional writers – i.e. academics. This books contains articles from a variety of authors, which can become the reference points for macro or holistic analysis, to understand progress in Indonesia’s feminism, which is hardly published in books. “This is an exceptional book, with a variety of themes about indigenous people in Indonesia and overseas.” Says Lestari. It is also critical that two prominent world feminist authors are used as reference in the book – Virginia Woolf and Naomi Wolf. Both represent different times.
Luviana : “Because Kartini writes”
Lutviana and Anita Dewi from konde.co joint Ira and Farid as editors. Lutviana suggests that this book is about feminism and the media. In feminism, the media is often complementary or as part of a campaign and constitutes a minor part, but nonetheless embodies feminism, and this books writes about the media too. There are postmodern feminism and cultural feminism that talks about the media, which is evident in this book. Another interesting point is that Kartini writes. Kartini’s reading and thoughts can be widely disseminated, and thus never cease to exist.
This feminist book is published in conjunction with LSPR, Letstalk and konde.co – one reason being Kartini writes about analysis of changing women’s thoughts in Indonesia. Evolving feminist thought provides impetus for the publication of this book. Then, how many organs are involved? It is clearly visible that this is important for young people. A reading of feminist analysis in the West and in the East suggest that this is a book specifically about feminism in Indonesia, and it is encouraging to see significant number of young people are writing about feminism. This shows that feminism is alive, and so close. It is not just for parents but also young people. Young people at konde.co read this book and disseminate it, which is critical.
For Lutviana, one important things is, “Write! And your life will be meaningful. Even when you die, your writing will remain alive!”
Ira represents Letstalk, and the editor suggests that this book originates from articles presented during last year’s KCIF, or the first of its kind, intended to cover eight themes. These feed into the book structure, and standardized scientific writing. It is therefore not simply a narrative presented into a book. Citations needs to have a valid basis in scientific or academic writing. The eight themes include amongst other gender, feminism, and sexuality. They contains feminism methodology and history writing, gender transformation and the new family. Chapter Three talks about diversity in gender and sexuality, issues about negotiation and movement. Chapter Four deals with the body authority and reproductive health, challenges and opportunities. Chapter Five discusses feminism and threats of ecological destruction/eco-feminism. Chapter Six focuses on media and gender-based violence and sexual violence. Chapter Seven explores State, culture and gender discrimination. Chapter Eight addresses inter-sexuality, movement agenda and gender justice.
The published book has 506 pages. It is not possible for the book to include all topics, as it relies on submission. Not all participants submit, some even objects writing for the book. The book is based on volunteerism and joint review. The editing team tries to capture feminism issues and frame them into KCIF themes, and this process is expected to nurture further feminism study. Ira believes this is a feminist movement that keeps abreast with changing world and unstable political dynamics, hence it is by no means stagnant or singular. She states from the very beginning that feminism is plural and varies, not singular. Feminism does not stand alone. The KCIF themes are inclusive and inter-sexuality, exposing the many different issues and dominations. It highlights class, ethnicity and other issues, which are relevant with sexuality issue.
As editor, it is a pleasure to publish this book –from receiving the written pieces up to review. The editing team gets intimate understanding of feminism progress in Indonesia, gets to know the authors, of gender and sexuality, and become aware that they are not just concentrated on Java and/or Jakarta, not just in major campuses, but importantly all over Indonesia. There are around 800 people, from Aceh to Maluku and other areas, applying to become KCIF presenter. There are also applicants from Australia, the US and countries from other continents. This opens up tremendous opportunity for feminism study in Indonesia. There are young people too, which indicates great interests in feminism study in Indonesia, major progress, with plenty to be proud of and yet at the same time keeping humble and continuing to improve the quality – in terms of themes, quality of writing, and readers. More critical analysis is essential. We all hope that what we have done together will make a difference, which would contributes significantly to women movement, whether feminism or policy advocacy activities that would make an impact on political awareness and our desire to develop a tradition of discussion and joint knowledge production, and its dissemination. “This is our task to disseminate and I hope we do not then feel satisfied. We will continue the tradition of thought production and reproduction regarding gender and sexuality in Indonesia. We need a process and a venue to analyse gender and sexuality.” Says Ira
Dr. Nicodemus Niko, a contributor in the discussion, says that indigenous Dayak communities has a local feminism imbued with in-depth local tradition. The traditional indigenous teaching is empowering. This is what he means by local feminism. At the moment, traditional indigenous women are feeling extreme pressures from the State and from capitalism. They are often marginalized in the process of capital accumulation. They are even marginalized within the scope of their own Dayak Benawan society. Indigenous women face a steep struggle. They maintain tradition to avoid loss of local knowledge, being overwhelmed by corporate domination, and State’s pressures. The State protects and supports the indigenous communities, on one hand, but at the same time applies pressures on the other hand. Significant number of Dayak leaders are criminalized. Dayak women, too, bear the brunt of State policies. A World Bank analysis suggests that there is no equality for women working in any state. Equality between men and women is impossible. How would Indonesia make a sense of this. If there is no local knowledge about feminism, then it is not possible to read the narratives contained in this feminism books in Indonesia.
Niko reads in a number of chapters that one movement talks about ecological threat, and that weaving rattan is a form of women resistance. This refers to resistance by local women. Is this what is referred to as resurgence. We would not be able to read it unless it is documented in this book – that women resistance is alive i.e. through rattan weaving. This shows how important it is to document knowledge about feminism. As a contributor, he is proud to have the opportunity to contribute. He believes that local feminist movement(s) are worth promoting. Local feminism promotes participation, not just women, but also men. Women should not work on their own, but should work jointly to promote.
Niko believes this book represents a daring alternative movement. The book argues that the State is not pro-gender equality, though this does not suggest that the State’s role(s) should be ignored. On the contrary, the State needs to be present at all times. Niko also sees a unique feminist movement in the book. This movement should be collective. Throughout history, feminist movement(s) have transformed masculinity and patriarchy and involved men in gender equality, hence making significant contribution. In their respective writing, each contributor narrates empowerment of vulnerable groups.
In inter-sexuality thoughts, local traditions are important in understanding feminism thinking. For example, indigenous women in traditional communities weave rattan when oil palm companies destroy the forest.
Importantly, beyond local tradition, men and/or fathers in Dayak Bengawan community now encourage girls to pursue high education. In the past, it was extremely difficult for girls/women to get access to higher education.
Joint actions by civil society organisations and the State are critical for achieving gender equality in Indonesia, because it would be difficult to achieve gender equality without collective endeavours. (Ast)
