1. Dr. Nadja Jacubowski Torres
Gender meets religion
GIZ Gender week 2018
Dr. Nadja Jacubowski Torres
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2. Country-specific context Gender relations in Indonesia
Structure
Country-specific context
Gender relations in Indonesia
The role of Islamic feminism
Examples of cooperation
Conclusion
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3. […] there are more progressive debates on gender and Islam in Indonesia than in all of the Arabic, Farsi, Urdu and Turkish speaking countries combined.
WADUD 2013
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4. 1. Country specific context
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5. 2. Gender relations in Indonesia
Kodrat describes women’s social roles based on their biological nature
In New Order kodrat meant women’s social role pre-ordained by her biological capacities (reproductive)
This was incorporated into the state’s ideology , the family foundation
systems of adat or traditional law dictate gender-specific rights and obligations.
But there exists much heterogeneity within the country across social classes and ethnic groups.
Traditionally, the influence of Indonesian women on financial matters is relatively well documented, with some women becoming the unofficial head of the family.
The New Order state (1965–1998) returned to colonial bourgeois conceptions of gender and extended these to all classes.
The main elements of this gender ideology are housewifization with elements of ibuism, which promoted an idealization of the mother.
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6. Intended goal achieved
Gender mainstreaming
Empowerment
Protection
Policies
Kodrat/biological functions
(essentialist binary, difference innate)
Definitions
Concepts
Goals
Planning
Implementation
Equality- related discourses/ feminism
(Secular and religious)
Adat
Traditional religious discourses
Global (secular) influences
Backlash
State ibuism (Suryakusuma)
Bapak source of power/ ibu medium of power
housewifisation
The current struggle for gender equality in Indonesia is still affected by the politics of the New Order state (gender concepts and activities are influenced by the influences described above.
The binary traditional gender ideology is still influencing current governmental policies and strategic narratives.
GM is often simplified and interpreted in a deconstructive way which leads to unintended backlash.
Intended goal achieved
Norms reinforced
Source: author

7. 3. The role of Islamic feminism
- Indonesian women are challenging gender-based discrimination by using a range of different approaches including theoretical contributions.
- One objective was to highlight interpretations that emphasis egalitarian principles of the Qur’anic texts.
- The organisation P3M, has conducted workshops and training series for teachers and students from pesantren to discuss reinterpretations of fiqh texts concerning women.
These ideas have been also transmitted by publications of feminists such as Siti Musdah Mulia, who published numerous books about Islam and society, Maria Ulfa, who was the head of the NU women’s wing Fatayat and advocated for women’s RH, as well as Ciciek Farha, who was the director of Rahima, an organisation working on Islam and women’s rights.
Influential publications have been also contributed by Lily Zakiyah Munir
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8. 4. Examples of cooperation
Negotiation process
eliminating FGM/C
Secular actors
Religious organisations/
Religious leader
Local
Women’s
empowerment
authorities
Indonesian
Ministries
Lead MOWECP
Civil Society
Int. organisations
Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI)
Advocacy
Source: author
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9. Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting
Various forums like Friday prayers, involving the ulamas and men; women’s and community gatherings and Qu’ran recital at the community level are opportunities to raise awareness.
Cooperation has to be strengthened with Ministries of Religious Affairs, Education, Health and MOWECP, as the lead agency in FGM/C elimination and work to promote a community-based approach for integrated child protection where all community elements are trained to educate the public on health and rights issues
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11. Capacity building for GIZ and partner institutions
“Islam and gender equality in the context of development cooperation” with Rahima, October and May
Dr. Nur Rofi’ah (Rahima)
Kyai Imam Nakha’I (Rahima)
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12. Islam and gender equality in the context of development cooperation
Publication
Islam and gender equality in the context of development cooperation
[Islam dan Kesetaraan Gender dalam Konteks Kerjasama Pembangunan] Jakarta 2016
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13. Potential Challenges 5. Conclusion
High number of progressive debates on Gender and Islam
Actors are diverse and mainly highly educated
Networks exist at national and regional level
Positive experiences at local level
Challenges
Misconceptions about gender (equality) and feminism
Best practices are not yet documented
International development community is still hesitant
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14. Contact nadja.jacubowski@cimonline.de
Thank you
Contact
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