Head of UGM Center for Women's Studies (PSW) Dra. Sri Djoharwinarlien, SU, affirmed that women in Indonesia are still positioned as the 'second class'. Even women are often identified to be responsible for the domestic matters while, in fact, domestic matters have to be dealt together in the family. As a result of unequal labeling in the domestic domain, namely the home and family, women often become victims of domestic violence both physically and mentally."This explains the high divorce rate. In fact, women in the Indonesian family are not obligated to be the main breadwinner. As a result, after the divorce, women have difficulty to earn, to meet their needs," said Winarlien in the discussion Badala Kembang Bangsa: Mapping the Position of Indonesian Women from Period to Period, Thursday (22/12). The discussion that is initiated by UGM Center for Rural and Regional Studies (PSPK) was conducted in order to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Unequal labels are often attributed, for example by the term ‘extra breadwinner’, to women. In fact, between husband and wife, they both earn a living to meet the needs of family.
In the public sector, women's representation in parliament has not reached the quota of 30 percent. This is despite the fact the representation of women in the political sphere is quite important to contribute to government policies that have minimal budget and gender-sensitive policies. "Today this is still limited to mere lip service, not being worked out seriously," she added.
Winarlien argues it is necessary to change the perspective towards women and improve women's bargaining position, including giving widest access for women to gain the right to life, right to education, decent employment rights and the right to access healthcare. "Changing the perspective toward women can also be done with affirmative action, this may seem discriminative and not beneficial to women but they actually have a positive impact," she said.