Empowering Women in the Public Sphere

IN Indonesia, the public sphere has been dominated by men, with women set aside to the margins. This inequality in public participation has been exacerbated by women’s lack of capacity, another by-product of what has largely been a patriarchal sensibility. Now, many institutions are getting involved, including the non-profit Arika Mahina Foundation, which has set up field schools for women in several regions, including Ambon in Maluku. Meanwhile, the Female-Headed Households Foundation, or Pekka, has formed the Paradigta Academy in Aceh, where women are trained to speak out, take action to eradicate discrimination, and participate in development. Tempo English reports.