There is a sexism problem that suppresses and abuses women across Indonesia constantly. Because of the caste system in Indonesia, men are regarded as superior to any women. This is not seen as a problem by Indonesia's politicians but it is a concern for me!
Why should you be treated differently just because of your gender?
What Would A Balinese Family Do If Their First Child Is Female?
Have another, and if that one is also a girl they will most likely try for a boy again!
Some families give up, but then they are looked down upon when a man marries into their family!
Men are seen as the "support" for the women.
The Effect On Women's Labor Market
"We found that on average Indonesian women earn 42% less than their male counterparts, Dr Contreras Suarez said." source. [Italics & bold added]
A small part of the explanation for this is the unequal education and the type of industry you are employed in, but discrimination is the largest factor.
Aceh's Perspective
In the province of Aceh which is a region of Indonesia that follows Islamic or "Sharia" Law.
"Women are often taught that they belong at home. Despite the numerous great female leaders in Acehnese history, empowerment of women is now heatedly opposed by religious conservatives who wish to see laws re-written." Source. [Italics & bold added]
The Muslim religion suppresses all women in Aceh. The religious conservatives are the in the body of the government as well.
Unlawful Practices In The Military
Indonesia is one of the most Muslim populated countries in the world.
For years, any Indonesian women joining the military would have to undergo an abusive and shameful procedure known to the military as the "virginity test".
It's an appalling secret that no one outside the military knew until Human Rights Watch published the issue. This is HRW's report.
"General Moeldoko, the military commander, sees nothing wrong with the practice. “It’s a good thing, why criticize it?” he told journalists last Friday. The virginity test “is a measure of morality. There’s no other way” he added." Source. [Italics & bold added]
The World Health Organisation says there is "no scientific validity", while Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women directly says this is sexual violence.
Morality has nothing to do with one's sexual impulses! This is either naive or inhumane!
"To justify the tests, military officers told female recruits they were crucial to preserving the dignity and the honor of the nation” Source. [Italics & bold added]
Dignity and honor!? This is molestation done by the same people who are told to be protecting this country!
The result of the test was whether or not the woman's hymen was intact. If you're hymen was ruptured or torn, you are not a virgin.
The Problem With The "2 Fingered Virginity Test"
What is a hymen:
“the hymen is not a flat piece of tissue covering the vagina, which is punctured during intercourse. If it were, girls would not be able to menstruate before they lose their virginity because there would be no outlet for menstrual blood.” Source Carol Roye, Nursing Professor. [Italics & bold added]
This test uses no scientific evidence at all, it is disgusting.
“Some girls are born without a hymen, others have only a scanty fringe of tissue. Moreover, for all its fabled mystery, the hymen is just a body part.” Source Carol Roye, Nursing Professor. [Italics & bold added]
What if you were the unlucky woman who was born without a hymen and was said to be a sexual deviant?
Healthy exercises could rupture the hymen.
For example: gymnastics, horseback riding, riding a bike, injuries or masturbation could abruptly tear the hymen. Even tampons could cause rupture under extreme circumstance.
Virginity Tests In Schools
"A city councilor in eastern Java, suggested that graduating middle-school students should be required to take virginity tests. If she is not a virgin, she can’t graduate, he said. In late 2013, the education chief of Prabumulih, in South Sumatra province, proposed the test as a requirement for female students to enter high school." Source. [Italics & bold added]
This is disgusting, would you let your child have a "viriginity test" to enter high-school?
And what if she wasn't a virgin and was the best student of her class?
"Both ideas were shelved following public outcry." Source
I will say that I love Indonesia here, but if this law was passed I would move to a different country!
Sadistic school counselors & the Chief of Education looking to make child abuse a national requirement is horrid.
My Perspective
Women's rights violations are a big problem in Indonesia, the religious leaders looking to suppress women's rights are also looking to humiliate and degrade them.
We need to teach women all over the world that these actions are violations of their rights. Woman should be allowed their privacy and not have their private parts probed by the sadistic army chiefs and school counselors.
I understand this is a very controversial topic and I am ready to join the conversation in the comments!
Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Chron has 3 sisters and believes in equality!
"Morality has nothing to do with one's sexual impulses! " Some people need that tattooed on their forehead so they see it in the mirror every time they look in it!
Very good point @catonwheels, we need to wake up! Thank you for the comment :)
It's depressing to think about how backward so many societies still are around the globe.
We still have this nonsense, open slavery, sex trafficking, and many other abuses. Why? It makes me have very little faith in the human species.
India still has caste systems, and almost all religions including Christianity, teach inequality. What happened to our warrior culture where women were considered equal?
They fought and died alongside men even though they were not physically equal--no two men are physically equal either. Also, you don't have to be physically big to be a good warrior or leader.
Yes @finnian, very amazing points!
Of course we are equal!
Indonesia's cast system is very similar, many aspects of Indonesia's belief system are based from those in India
One thing we can all get from this discussion is that no two humans are equal, the idea to completely segregate the population in half and say that one half is better is ridiculous!
Thank you for your comment :)
Nope, none of us are equal in DNA, abilities, etc. We should all be equal under the law however, and we all have the same natural rights.
That's what I meant, sorry I didn't make it clear @finnian.
Oh, I knew what you meant and was just adding to the convo. :)
Good one, hope to have more convo soon @finnian :)
Shameful practice. It's hard to believe what people in other parts of the world have to put up with! Take care of your sisters!
They never leave my side :)
Thank you for your comment :)
This is horrid! Thanks for talking about it @chron
And you are right that the hymen test doesn't prove anything anyways. I know that I would have failed that test when I was a virgin.
Thank you for adding to the discussion @canadian-coconut, my sister gave me the idea for this article!
Haha, ludicrous how some countries still follow these practices.
I'm glad to have put this article out there!
Hi there Chron, good for you to investigate a complex issue. However, I am downvoting you. If your goal here is to assist the emergence of a world where our sisters and brothers of all persuasions are treated equally, I would suggest you are going about it the wrong way. Research, disclosure and putting light on darkness are important. Yet, by judging, and putting your energy into condemnation you give power to the very dynamics you wish to end. Sensationalizing one's condemnation (your post title and image) does nothing but create create simplified understandings and division. Sure, you get attention. But at what cost? Alot of people reading your post don't know much about Indonesia and you a painting us all with one brush. What about all the amazing Indonesia women here? What about all the amazing government programs that support young muslim women, single mothers and more? My Indonesian partner is one of the most liberated and empowered woman I know. What of all the others like her and the systems that enabled her? The world that we put our attention on (and the attention of others) is the world we create. Care-full please.
Thanks for your comment! Did you read the whole article?
I did make a point of emphasizing the main issue in my article.
I'm an Indonesian citizen, I have lived here all my life! I care about these issues!
Of course there are amazing women in Indonesia. I have 3 Indonesian sisters (who gave me the idea for this article) and I'm over-protective of them, do you have Indonesian sisters who could be subjected to this?
There are amazing things that happen in Indonesia and there are horrible things that happen here, I will be posting about both :)