Women's organizations in Indonesia's new order : pressing needs and strategies for survival
Date
1998
Authors
Miller, Danielle Margaret
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Abstract
This study presents a survey and analysis of non-government organizations for women in Indonesia. Independent women's organizations are successfully working toward social change in a political climate that is inherently discriminatory toward women. The New Order government developed a series of initiatives that legitimize State Ibuism, an ideological construct that excludes women from power and decision making processes. Independent women's organizations have emerged to challenge this dominant social paradigm of gender inequality by addressing issues such as violence against women, the marginalization of women in the labour force and gender-based social disparities. The study provides an analysis of the activities, objectives and ideological foundation of the groups and examines the methods employed to achieve social change. In order to be effective, women's NGOs adopt a series of strategies of resistance which allow the organizations to pursue goals of gender equity without placing themselves at high risk of government intervention.