Urban Space for Indonesian Women: Ambiguity in Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (2019) Web Series

Abstract

The depiction of Indonesian women’s experiences in urban spaces has been little discussed. Do urban spaces provide equal opportunities and access for Indonesian women and men? This paper tries to answer this question. It investigates how Indonesian women experience urban spaces as represented in an Indonesian web series entitled Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (2019). The paper uses the multimodal analysis method. The result of the analysis shows that there is a discrepancy in the portrayal of the female protagonist and of the urban spaces that she experiences. The ambiguity is seen in the depiction of an urban woman who is empowered, but on the other hand, has limited rights in urban spaces. In particular, the female protagonist is portrayed as an independent urban woman who can make her own choices for her future. The depiction is in line with the idealization of a modern woman, which Indonesian women have long dreamt of. However, the female protagonist does not fully enjoy this freedom and independence as there is still gender stratification that regards women as being inferior to men. It is seen in the spaces that she experiences. The patriarchal system that has long dominated Indonesian society confines women’s mobility and existence in the public space.