Women’s Day Indonesia
Women’s Right to Vote in Indonesia
August 18, (1945)
Number of female heads of state to date: 1
The women’s right to vote in Indonesia has its own unique history, which reflects the country’s journey toward democracy and gender equality. Indonesia gained its independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945, and the subsequent development of women’s suffrage took place in the context of a nascent nation.
When Indonesia gained independence, it did not immediately grant universal suffrage to its citizens. The first general election was held in 1955, and women were included in the electorate. However, the right to vote was not guaranteed for all women at that time. The right to vote was initially limited to women who met certain qualifications, such as being at least 21 years old and having completed a certain level of education or being the wife of a registered voter.
It wasn’t until 1973 that the Indonesian government implemented universal suffrage for both men and women, ensuring that all adult citizens, regardless of gender, had the right to vote and participate in elections. This marked an important step toward gender equality and democratic inclusion in the country.
Since then, women in Indonesia have actively participated in the political process, both as voters and as candidates. Women have held various political positions, including serving as members of parliament, ministers, and even as the country’s president. However, it is important to note that despite progress, women’s representation in politics and decision-making roles in Indonesia continues to face challenges, and gender disparities persist.
Efforts have been made to address these disparities and promote gender equality in Indonesia. Various organizations and activists work toward empowering women, advocating for their rights, and increasing their representation in politics. The Indonesian government has also implemented policies and initiatives to support gender equality, including gender quota regulations in political parties to encourage women’s participation and representation.
The women’s right to vote in Indonesia represents an important milestone in the country’s democratic development and progress toward gender equality. While there have been advancements, there is still work to be done to ensure that women’s voices are fully heard and that their participation in political and public life is truly equal. Continued efforts to address gender disparities and promote women’s empowerment are essential to achieving a more inclusive and equitable society in Indonesia.
The long struggle of the women’s movement in Indonesian politics
The lost history of Indonesian women in politics is slowly emerging, but the obstacles to participation are many.
By Febriana Firdaus
Mar 8, 2019 – At the very time Indonesian women are lauded for their campaign skills (look at Eva Bande and the Kendeng farmers, who just won the Yap Thiem Hien Award for organising protests to protect the environment), it remains a lamentable shame that the role women in Indonesian politics doesn’t show any significant progress. It’s been that way ever since Suharto’s New Order regime took over the Sukarno’s throne, of politics dominated by men.
> lowyinstitute.org/long-struggle-women-s-movement-indonesian-politics
On the Issue of Women’s Rights in Indonesian Politics
Jan 29, 2019 – Indonesian women can hardly forget the country’s presidential debate held two weeks ago. The issue of women’s rights was front and center. The incumbent, Joko Widodo, questioned his challenger’s commitment to women’s rights reminding the audience that all the highest positions in his party are all held by men. The challenger, Prabowo Subianto, responded that he didn’t merely prioritize all women, but women with quality. Placing as many women as possible in important posts without any qualifications was seen by Subianto as not a good thing. He furthered his argument by giving an example of a woman who made a mess in the current cabinet but did not reveal her name.
> intpolicydigest.org/on-the-issue-of-women-s-rights-in-indonesian-politics