Happy women in an Islamic Republic

 

 

Anywhere in Indonesia you will find that 70% of the bikers are women, and 80% of all small businesses are run by women. All guides who speak English at the Sultan’s palace in Yogyakarta are women, and nearly all looking after the ancient Stupa at Borobodur are women.  Rarely do we associate a ‘hijab’ (a scarf covering head of a woman) with the dignity of labor. Indonesia certainly is a pleasant exception.

 

How did this magic happen? Socially, Indonesia still follows a strictly matrilineal code. Islam here was never an import of the conquerors as Indonesia was never conquered before the Dutches came in 1800. Indian traders first brought into Indonesia in the Majapahit period in late 13th century the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and these two epics still define Indonesian culture in all its forms. Because of a very lyrical message of living in a somewhat equal society these two epics radiate, equality comes to Indonesians just as a matter of fact. 

 

 

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Women dominate the streets of any city of Indonesia, or so it seems. Sex ratio here is just 101.42, and women are equally visible and active in society as men. Once economic reform started drawing investment in a very populous country, all had to get involved to acquire an equal share.
Guiding in the Sultan’s Palace in Yogyakarta is an all woman affair. And they are the only persons who speak English. Having more exposure to the outer world the women here have a clear conception of what a just society is.
Socially, Indonesia still follows a strictly matrilineal code. Islam here was never an import of the conquerors as Indonesia was never conquered before the Dutches came in 1800.
Male and female literacy rate in Indonesia is 96.3% and 91.5%. More and more girls are getting University education, and any educational campus is equally shared by both boys and girls.
Small businesses are all run by women. In any retail market all stalls are found manned by women. Shops, Cafes, Eateries—women’s very own domain.
With a population density of 142 per square kilometer, Indonesia is crowded. Since the cost of living has increased, the current generation there usually opts to have only one child. Care, therefore, is available whether the child be a boy or a girl.
In Indonesia, women outlive men by clear 4 years (life expectancy for male-67.1, female-71.1). And women can work till a very late age. As seen in the pet market at Patsi, most of the caged commodities are taken care of by old women.
A Precious girl in an ever happy moment.
Economic stability brings in a kind of feel-good factor and this is reflected in society at large. Economics here has made radical Islam redundant, as this country has a past and has an identity drawn from a vibrant past.
Rarely do we associate a ‘hijab’ (a scarf covering head of a woman) with the dignity of labor. Indonesia certainly is a pleasant exception.
Enjoying all forms of progress modernity stands for, Indonesia tried to find a balance between globalization and tradition. Women here reflect just that balance.
Indian traders first brought into Indonesia in the Majapahit period in late 13th century the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and these two epics still define Indonesian culture in all its forms. Because of a very lyrical message of living in a somewhat equal society these two epics radiate, equality comes to Indonesians just as a matter of fact.
Kinara, 5, has made her parents migrate into a city so that she can be admitted to a better school. Agrarian society is giving way to urbanization and resource is mobilized to bring in improvement in educational and health-care infrastructures. Leaving their village Kinara’s parents are now living in a nearby city and are running a travel agency.
In Indonesia, women outlive men by clear 4 years (life expectancy for male-67.1, female-71.1). And women can work till a very late age.
Looking forward and stepping out of religious confinement is what makes an Indonesian girl's way of being.
In Borobudur, girls getting higher education in English are encouraged to talk to tourists to improve on their communication skill. This will bear fruit in near future, for sure.
These girls are never uncertain about their identity, or about where to belong to in a modern world.
The world’s most populous Muslim democracy practiced stringent economic reforms, and in 2016 its per capita GDP is maintained at $3379, inflation rate is kept within 3.5%, unemployment rate remains lower than 6%, and the overall trade balance kicks $ 7.6 billion.
Economic stability brings in a kind of feel-good factor and this is reflected in society at large.
Looking out, looking far.
Warmth and care provided by a family to its daughter certainly is a boost to the girls' self-confidence. This attitude is paying off now.
Society advances at the pace of its women. And in Indonesia, women seem to be flying off right now.
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