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Breaking down patriarchy to end violence against women
Indonesia ranked 104 out of 160 countries on the United Nations Development Program’s 2017 Gender Inequality Index, which measures gender disparities in education, reproductive health and economic and political participation. Indonesia’s ranking has changed little in recent years and is below that of most of its Asian neighbors.
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Indonesia ranked 104 out of 160 countries on the United Nations Development Program’s 2017 Gender Inequality Index, which measures gender disparities in education, reproductive health and economic and political participation. Indonesia’s ranking has changed little in recent years and is below that of most of its Asian neighbors. (JP/Anggie Angela)
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Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati was one of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s surprise appointees as minister for women’s empowerment and child protection, replacing Yohana S. Yembise.
Earlier she was known only as the wife of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) veteran politician Anak Agung Ngurah Puspayoga, the former cooperatives minister, former deputy governor of Bali and former Denpasar mayor.
With a limited track record in women and child’s right issues, Bintang faces questions about her ability to advance the lives of women, who comprise half of Indonesia’s 271 million people, and about her ability to protect the rights of 81 million of children, one third of the population.
In Bali, activists for women and children expressed both optimism and concern. Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH-APIK) Bali chapter secretary Luh Putu Anggraeni said the minister “is the embodiment of a high caste Balinese woman who has successfully pursued her own career despite being married to a member of the powerful patriarchal royal family of Puri Agung Satria”, the royal court in Denpasar.
“If you were born to a patriarchal and often oppressive Balinese family, you might understand what discrimination and inequality against women really mean and how that profoundly affects our lives,” Anggraeni added.
Bali has seen various types of violence against women and children, including underreported domestic violence.
“We expect Bintang to break down the strong patriarchal social and cultural fabrics from within and to come up with significant breakthroughs and innovations for the betterment of women and children in Bali and across Indonesia,” Anggraeni said.
