Jakarta Globe, December 21, 2010
On national Mothers Day let us pause and reflect on how important mothers are to society and nation building. Often overlooked and underappreciated, mothers are central to grooming the country’s future leaders.
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| A row of men take part in a mass clothes-washing event in Solo, Central Java, on Tuesday in celebration of Mother’s Day today. The event to honor mothers merits a takeover of women’s daily jobs such as washing and cooking. JG Photo/Ali Lutfi |
But across the nation, women are being discriminated against. In many provinces, bylaws limit their rights to free expression and to gainful employment. Such legislation restricts the development of the nation by preventing women from fulfilling their full potential.
In many cases, mothers can be economically productive by working part-time or from home. But too often, women are paid much less than men in similar jobs.
According to the National Commission for Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), 35 gender-discriminatory bylaws came into force this year, making a total of 189 such laws.
Yuniyanti Chuzaifah, the organization’s chairwoman, said women were being cut out of national life and policy making.
“In the name of morality, women’s rights are being sidelined in a country that is ostensibly governed by a spirit of democracy and humanism,” she said. “This figure is concrete proof of the fact that the Constitution has pushed women to the periphery of society.”
This must stop if Indonesia is to realize its potential. Working mothers must be given full support by employers and the state so that they can be economically productive while caring for their children. A mother’s role in nurturing her children is critical, especially in the formative years when they are fully dependent on the parents.
Discriminatory bylaws against women must be repealed before they entrench intolerance, which can lead to social disintegration. There must be greater tolerance and empowerment of women.
Although these bylaws are passed by regional administrations, the central government must ensure that discrimination against women and minority groups is banned. The Constitution clearly outlaws discrimination of any kind. Yet little is done about bylaws that prevent women from playing a larger role in society.
We need more people to speak up against such laws and make it clear that discrimination in any form has no place in Indonesian society. By keeping silent, we are all party to such discrimination.
If we want Indonesia to develop, we must change our attitudes toward women. We must empower them to work and start businesses, especially women who struggle to raise families and make ends meet.
The Constitution protects all Indonesian citizens regardless of gender and ethnic background. As noted by Yuniyanti, legal certainty, equality and democracy are at stake if we continue to allow discriminatory bylaws to stand.
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