July 1, 2010

Workshop on New Media Techniques

01.30 PM-04.00 PM

at Library

The Fact of The Equal Rights for Women in Indonesia

By Achie Martasasmita

Since first until now the problem of gender never out to be a topic of discussion. Not only in some countries, this applies also to almost all countries in the world, both developed and developing countries. In Indonesia, the history of gender equality has been started since the early colonial period.

We have a feminist who fought for gender equality. We call Rd. Ajeng Kartini. She is a figure of a Javanese woman who is an open thinker. As a descendant of royalty, he was accustomed to western education. Her struggle to get equality is by writing a letter to his friend in the Netherlands and told him about the fate of women in Indonesia. Media that he made as a way to overcome the problem of gender. She wanted to prove that women can achieve higher education and equal rights with men. And until now, we always commemorate Kartini day each April 21.

I think, that was the turning point that started the history of gender equality in Indonesia. In the first, women may only stay at home, now the freedom to get a career wide open. This is one of the effects of globalization and westernization.

Nowadays, perspective and frame of mind in the Indonesian population began to grow. Now, women have the right to determine her future. It has become human rights. All woman have the freedom to choose their career even as leaders. This occurs when Megawati Soekarno Putri was elected to be president of Indonesia in 2000.