Kelestarian perjuangan kongres wanita Indonesia (kowani)
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Date
2007
Authors
Pujiati
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
This research is to study the sustainability of the struggles of KOWANI (Indonesian
Women Congress). KOWANI is an umbrella organisation which fights for the
emancipation and mobilization of women in development in Indonesia. Formed in 1928
and with a current membership of 78 member women’s organisations from all over
Indonesia, KOWANI has been able to sustain its struggles until now. This research
aims to identify factors which support the sustainability of KOWANI’s struggles from the
colonial to the present post colonial period, and examining KOWANI’s relationships
with the ruling governments as well as the types of feminism in its struggles. Qualitative
methodology was used. Data were gathered using in-depth interviews, participant
observation, and analysis of archival and official documents as well as KOWANI’s
reports. This research found that factors contributing to the sustainability of KOWANI’s
struggles are size of membership and KOWANI’s vast infrastructure, the capacity to
resolve conflicts and to maintain harmony, having access to continuous and sufficient
financial resources, flexible and accommodating relationship with the ruling
governments, and having issues which were seen as relevant agenda by the people.
Governments did not see KOWANI as a threat even though KOWANI had made
demands which were against the status quo. The features and patterns of feminism
changed according to the political systems of the government in power. KOWANI was
independent and autonomous during the colonial period; it then took on the quality of
being more directed during the end of Sukarno’s era and throughout Suharto’s period,
but reverted to being independent during the reformation period, from 1998 until now.
The types of feminism practised by KOWANI can be categorised as maternal feminism and companionate feminism; both resting on the ideology of transforming society
without changing the existing structure such as family and the roles of men in society.
KOWANI is expected to be able to sustain its struggles even though its feminist
ideology may not be seen as radical enough by the new feminist organisations
because of its stability, relevance and perceived importance by the government.
Description
Ph.D
Keywords
Humanities , Indonesia Women's Congress , Colonial , Post colonial