Feminism. One word that we may have heard many times. Moreover, it has often been discussed in our society. In addition, recently the issue of feminism is very hot in the discussion. Feminism is often associated with women. Basically, feminism focuses on a women's movement .
Definition of Femenism
Feminism itself can be defined as 'analyzing' a problem that is
being faced by women. This problem usually involves discrimination against
women. Feminism can also be defined as a social, political or set of
ideologies where they have the same goal - to fight for women's rights.
The day the feminism in Indonesia is growing, the feminism movement
in Indonesia itself continues to campaign for the movement to convey women's
rights. Some even say that feminism is one of the main forces for social change
that is around us .
Colonial Era
In the colonial or colonial era, there were various resistance
movements originating from the Dutch East Indies authority which were
considered as oppressors. Such resistance is carried out through armed and
diplomatic channels. Both of these are forms of nationalism in fighting
colonialism and imperialism. During this period several national
organizations were founded. The existence of national organizations with
racial religions or ethnicities established during this period made Indonesia
ready to fight. One example of a national organization in this era is
the Boedi Oetomo which was founded in 1908 in conjunction with the
Muhammadiyah ethnicity who was earlier founded in 1917. The method of this
organization's methods was discussed by the Western colonial
authorities. In addition, the hard-line organizations that carry out the
movement with socialist, communist, and ideology ain or choose
ger a right underground and guerrilla.
This movement against colonialism raises various
questions. One such question is about the role of women. Where are
the women, when the men are fighting against colonialism? Are they just in
the kitchen struggle? Or do they only serve as couriers or serve a cup of
coffee and snacks when there is a resistance movement meeting?
In Indonesian historical records, their thoughts, activists, or
associations are rarely recorded. There are at least two things that can
lead to women who do not exist in historical literatures. First, women at
that time were denied political rights. Second, the struggle of the
women seems to yield to the men and choose not to be dominant in the male
circle. This interpretation seems inaccurate. The absence of
women is wrong. In fact, historians have also noted the existence of women as
part of armed comrades to fight against colonialism.
Who doesn't know Cut Nyak Dien and Cut Meutia from Aceh,
Sumatra. Surely we know him, right? They are some of the female
heroes in Indonesia in fighting colonialism. In Java we know more about
Roro Gusik and her husband, named Untung Suropati, who carried out a rebellion
movement. Maluku contained in Martha Christina Tiahua who participated in
the revolution carried out and led by Pattimura, while dar i South
Sulawesi No Emmy Saelan, where he was terilibat active in the uprising led by
Wolter Monginsidi.
Kartini the Figure of Feminism?
Anyone not familiar with RA Kartini? I think everyone knows him. The movement of women when they entered Indonesia was also closely related to Kartini. How could she not, Kartini often wrote letters that she sent to her Dutch friends. This is what causes women's activities to stand out. The compilation of the letters sent by Kartini was collected and then printed into a book entitled Door DuinsternisTot Licht in 1911. This book was later also known among the public in Indonesia, especially women.
The publisher from Balai Pustaka translated the book into
Indonesian with the headline "Habis Gelap, Terbitlah Terang ". This
book really inspires women in Indonesia to fight for their rights to be equal
with men. At that time, it was known as the "emancipation of
women" and Kartini was considered a feminist figure in her era.
R. A Kartini is the second son of the Regent of
Jepara. Kartini initially lived in Jepara and then moved to
Rembang. In her letter, she talked about traditional values that
constrained women and made them dependent on men, so that women became
economically, socially and culturally powerless.
If it is concluded in a written letter that Kartini's ideas contain
several things, they are: a) education for women is an important part; b)
every woman from various backgrounds has the right to earn a living; c)
polygyny must be eliminated because it can damage the dignity of women.
Feminism in Indonesia
Talking about colonialism, of course we will never be separated
from the Dutch who established a trading center which was named
the VOC ( Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie - East India
Company ). In a historical record, Indonesia is known to have
experienced the longest colonialist process
under Dutch domination . Colonialism in Indonesia
dates back to the 18th century.
If we discuss figures from the feminist movement or the theory and
history of the feminist movement in Indonesia, this has a special
problem. However, if we look now in Indonesia there have been many
changes. It can be interpreted that there is a lot of freedom and
openness in feminism to discuss related issues; problems, thoughts, pros
and cons. Freedom was found relatively recently during the end of
President Soeharto's administration .
In fact, there is one complicated factor in the discussion of feminism
or the women's movement in Indonesia, namely about the assumption of feminist
ideas, thoughts and movements that do not have cultural and social roots in
Indonesia or elsewhere. Actually, these words of ideas and thoughts come
from the West which have Western connotations. The result of this is that
the term feminism is still rarely used by the wider community. Actually,
the most common is the number of women activists engaged in the research
and academic struggles are the same or can be in say inherently
terkai t with the idea of the feminist movement.
The development of phenimism in Indonesia occurs into three phases. Among them: 1) the first phase, namely the colonial phase or also known as the feminist liberal phase, in this phase the law on marriage and education develops very strongly. In addition, the organization has strong roots in the Soekarno era (Socialist / Marxist Feminism); 2) the second phase, feminism was paralyzed due to state domination (New Order Regime); 3) in the third phase or the contemporary phase, filled with various discourses and critics that are produced by women's organizations. In this third phase, many women have established various women's organizations from various backgrounds.
Reference: A Hundred Years of Feminism in Indonesia An Analysis of Actors, Debates and Strategies by Gadis Arivia and Nur Iman Subono
