UI's women's studies program under threat

A. Junaidi , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 05/19/2008 11:50 AM | Lifestyle

Lecturers, students and alumni of the Women's Studies Program of the University of Indonesia gathered last week to find ways to save the country's only master's degree program on gender studies.

In the past two years, the graduate program, which offers various areas of study, including feminist theories, has had less than 10 students.

The program, which holds enrollment tests twice annually, only passed two students from the five who applied last semester.

The situation is worrisome as the university, with its current status as an independent institution, has asked programs to self-finance.

The declining number of students enrolling in women's studies is believed to be caused by a lack of understanding of the area of study: The program still goes by the Indonesian term Kajian Wanita, leading many to believe the program teaches home skills, such as cooking.

Women's organizations critical of former president Soeharto's new order regime criticized the use of the word "wanita" (woman) by the former government, opting instead to use the more empowering term "perempuan".

"We are caught in the middle. Activists view us as too weak, while others believe we are too radical," said the program's chairwoman, Kristi Poerwandari.

Saparinah Sadli, one of the program's cofounders, said the program was initially named Kajian Perempuan when it was established in November 1990, but the name was rejected by the Soeharto government.

Last week's meeting suggested several names, including the use of the term "gender" to avoid discrimination and attract more men to join the program.

To lure more students, the meeting's participants suggested the program be shortened from four semesters to three, citing many graduate programs overseas could be completed in just a year.

Lecturer and activist Irwanto suggested the mandatory thesis could be replaced with a scientific paper, which could qualify for a journal.

"For those who want to pursue a doctorate degree, they should write a thesis. But others (doing a master's degree) could just write a final assignment," he said.

Some subjects, such as women and politics, and women and law, could be combined while others, such as feminist theories and methodology, could remain as they are, he added.

The participants also suggested active cooperation with other institutions, such as political parties and local administrations, by setting up short courses and research projects.

Netty, one of the program's students, who is also the wife of newly-elected West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, pushed for studies and research on the high maternal mortality rate and low education of women in the provinces.

Emmy Margaretha, an alumnus and member of the executive board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, said short courses on gender could be offered to current political parties and non-governmental organizations.

It was also suggested the program's management involve members of it's alumni, who are now working in many institutions, such as government and non-governmental organizations and the mass media, in promoting the program.

Achievements of the program, including its contributions and influences at the beginning of the so-called reform era, were also highlighted as efforts that should be documented and announced to the public.

"It will be very sad if the program is closed. The country and the university owe much to this program," lecturer Ani Sutjipto said.

Ani said the program's lecturers formulated a statement which urged Soeharto to step down when the university's rector and lecturers meet the president a few days before he resigned on May 21, 1998.

Saparinah Sadli, along with other women activists, initiated the establishment of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), and was the commission's first chairwoman.

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