Women's Organizations Research Articles

Kupi II Congress and Results of Religious Views on Contemporary Women's Issues in the Perspective of Islamic Anthropology

This paper is a study related to the Indonesian Women's Ulama Congress (KUPI) and its religious views through an Islamic feminist anthropology approach. This is because the discussion on KUPI hasn’t been captured through this approach. In fact, by this approach, the problems surrounding women can be seen in more depth and detail. By using primary data from observations and secondary data from literature reviews, the results found that KUPI or the Indonesian Women's Ulama Congress is a women's organization in Indonesia that brings together various individual backgrounds to study women's problems based on Islamic teachings that are mutabadil. Through discussions, halaqoh and religious meetings, the first KUPI congress in Cirebon produced three religious views while the second congress in Jepara produced five religious views and several recommendations regarding the protection of women from religious extremism, forced marriages, dangers of pregnancies due to settlement, genital injuries, and issues environment. KUPI activities are cultural in nature. Participants who come from various backgrounds bring facts and data in the field to be interacted with in order to realize human reason, mind and power which then shape culture and find an Islamic religion that is moderate, gender fair and provides human welfare.

Contribution of Women in Political Movement of Nepal

This article explores the extraordinary contributions made by women to Nepal's political movement, demonstrating their fundamental influence on the political climate of the nation. The study investigates the varied political activism of Nepalese women through an analysis of historical accounts, academic research, and direct testimonies. In Nepal, women have been instrumental in political movements, community mobilization, and advocacy for social and political change. They have actively taken part in protests, rallies, and neighborhood campaigns, pushing back against patriarchal conventions and clamoring for equitable participation in governmental organizations. In order to advance gender equality and women's rights in the political sphere, the article examines the effects of women's organizations, women-led projects, and female activists. It looks at their initiatives to remove social constraints, boost women's political participation, and combat gender-based prejudice. This article also examines the obstacles women have had to overcome while examining the crucial role they have played in Nepal's political movement and their contributions to constitutional changes. The paper offers insights on the empowerment of women within the Nepali political system by a thorough analysis of scholarly research, historical records, and documented experiences.

Evaluating Women's Economic Empowerment During COVID-19 Pandemic in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The factual condition resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has changed and impacted various aspects of Indonesian society. It also made women one of the vulnerable and affected groups, requiring them to face various challenges, including loss of livelihoods as family breadwinners, and gender-based violence. Outside of Java, the region with the highest number of COVID-19 cases is South Sulawesi Province, with a total of 62,672 cases. This had an economic impact on communities and families, particularly affecting women, especially domestic workers, and female heads of households. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of government policies and programs in South Sulawesi Province regarding domestic workers and female heads of households. It directly conducted interviews with stakeholders from the government, women's organizations, and domestic workers and female heads of households. It found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted women who are heads of households and female domestic workers. The situation for women leading households worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic as they had to navigate the crisis on their own. The situation and conditions of female domestic workers during the COVID-19 pandemic were also dire. Some of them were unilaterally terminated, while others were forced to work daily at their employers' homes, risking virus transmission during their commute due to inadequate personal protective equipment. Those who were laid off by their employers faced a crisis, as they had no income, especially when their spouses, who also worked in the informal sector, stopped working simultaneously. It revealed that both the government of South Sulawesi empowered female heads of households by distributing productive business capital assistance and providing support for female SMEs to access people's business credit. However, in contrast to the reality faced by female domestic workers, this group of women did not receive any social and economic assistance from the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peran dan Kedudukan Perempuan Dalam Laskar Hizbullah Pada Masa Resolusi Jihad Sebagai Wawasan Sejarah Lokal

The Jihad Resolution period in Indonesia was an event where Muslims agreed to defend Indonesia's independence. At this time, almost all elements of society took part, including women. The role of women during the Jihad Resolution period included supporting Laskar Hezbollah. This role of women cannot be separated from women's organizations, mothers, wives, and other individuals. However, the role of women during this period is less discussed in history, especially through the dimensions of women's femininity itself. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to present the role of women in the perspective of struggle in general and women's historiography through the dimension of femininity. In examining this research, a historical qualitative research type with a historical or historiographic approach is used with data collection methods through interviews and literature studies. So that the results of the research show that women have a role in the front line through the perspective of the struggle at that time, and have a role in the back line through the dimensions of women's femininity that are set aside by the patriarchal culture at that time which views how the act of struggle should be. Women contributed directly or indirectly, consciously, or unconsciously participated in the struggle through the things they could and used to do. Things that women did that were seen as not important, but had a chain effect on Indonesia's independence. And how women's actions are synonymous with gentleness which becomes a strength for them to support fighters who need that side amid the chaos of war. Thus, the role of women became complex in times of war, not only on the front lines and rear lines but in society emotionally, socially, and morally.

The Movement of Women's Organizations in Preventing Radicalism in Lampung Province

The issue of extremism that has the potential for terrorism in Lampung province has become a concerning matter. Recent reports have revealed that Densus 88 has arrested two suspected terrorist groups in Lampung province within the last three months of 2023. According to BNPT, Lampung province ranks fourth in Indonesia in terms of the potential for extremist and terrorist activities. Women play a crucial role in preventing the spread of radical ideologies and are expected to actively provide enlightenment and education within both the family and the wider society. This research project focuses on investigating the involvement of the women’s organization Muslimat NU in Lampung province in preventing extremism and terrorism. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach and refers to information related to the research topic. The findings of the research indicate that the success of preventing extremism lies not only at the government policy level but primarily at the smallest unit, which is the family. The primary defense against extremism and terrorism lies in the role of women within the family. The movement carried out by Muslimat NU focuses on instilling and promoting an understanding of national and religious values following Islamic teachings.
 Keywords: organization, women, radicalism, terrorism, Muslimat NU

Perjuangan Dewi Sartika Dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan Wanita Sunda

This study aims to find out information about Dewi Sartika's struggle to improve the quality of women's education in the Sunda region. The development of women's organizations during the period of the national movement in Indonesia began in 1904 in the city of Bandung which was marked by the establishment of Kaoetamaan Istri, this organization was pioneered by Dewi Sartika. The purpose of the establishment of the Kaoetamaan Wife organization is to provide knowledge to women so they can read, write, count, and also have household skills. On January 16, 1904, Dewi Sartika founded a special school for women, named Sakola Wife. Then the name changed to Kaeotamaan Wife School, this school is growing. As the vision said by Dewi Sartika in Sundanese "Mun so awewe must have skills, kudu can do everything, ambeh can breathe", which means in Indonesian, namely "If you become a woman, you have to do everything in order to live". Therefore, this is important to know so that women are always educated so that they can develop in a better direction. This study uses qualitative methods in searching related data, in the form of data obtained from relevant journals and books. The results of the study can be concluded that Raden Dewi Sartika is someone who thinks big about justice and dares to be responsible for the decisions he chooses. Her noble aspiration to lead women to progress and not stop learning was realized in the establishment of an educational institution for women from which came to bring change and impart knowledge.

Combating domestic violence in West Bengal, India: Gendered norms and legal regulations

Domestic violence has long been a major concern for women's organisations globally. Despite decades of progressive legislation in India since the 1980s, this paper underscores the persistent and structural nature of domestic violence, which afflicts lives across gender identities. The study draws on findings from a survey of 2193 aggrieved women and select case studies across 13 districts of West Bengal who have accessed the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), a civil law enacted in 2005 to give protection to victim-survivors from domestic violence (as opposed to punishing the perpetrators). The paper argues that even ‘radical’ legislation such as the PWDVA helps survivors manage and endure violence rather than eliminate it from their lives. In doing so, the legislation offers a coping strategy to the aggrieved rather than a means through which deep-seated social structures of patriarchy that perpetuate domestic violence can be challenged to ensure gender justice. Our study indicates that there is a greater degree of precarity among women survivors with psycho-social disabilities and members of gender-sexual minorities. The majority of actors in the socio-legal ecosystem who should be upholding survivors’ right to live a life free from violence instead place them primarily in the heterosexual patriarchal family. The feminist vision behind the enactment of PWDVA, which valued the assertion of a survivor's rights as a citizen of a democratic country to lead a life free from violence, is eschewed in favour of preserving the institution of family and marriage over gender justice.

Statement of Support and Solidarity with Afghan Women

We, a coalition of independent Iranian women's organizations, express our solidarity with the women of Afghanistan in the fight against the reinstated Taliban, and deeply commiserate with them on the suffering that has been inflicted upon them. Iranian and Afghan women have a common experience in dealing with political Islam, oppression, repression, and lawlessness imposed by misogynistic and reactionary governments. In these critical times we are determined to raise our voices against the reactionary, fundamentalist, and anti-woman forces in this dangerous situation. Together with the women of Afghanistan, we strongly condemn all human rights violations against women in the name of law, religion, faith, and tradition.

Collaboration in documentary filmmaking and its discontents: Reflections from the field

AbstractCollaborative practice can sometimes be flawed and exploitative. Drawing on my ethnographic fieldwork within an Indian Muslim women's organization, my article examines the co‐creative practice and its pitfalls and what it ultimately reveals about reflexivity and the politics of (self)representation. I discuss how my attempt at making a collaborative/co‐authored film project with my research participants became difficult to realize in its theoretical and methodological intent, for the collaborators inevitably fall across different positionalities and accesses to power. Rather than succeeding at co‐writing the film, the experience revealed how the power dynamics can be even more pronounced in collaborative filmmaking practice.

Grassroots Organizations and Women’s Empowerment in a Post-Conflict Region: Evidence from Women Organizations in Northern Uganda

Abstract This paper examines the effects of participation in women’s grassroot organizations (WGOs) on women’s empowerment. The analysis is based on cross-sectional survey data from northern Uganda. We study multiple dimensions of empowerment including economic and health care decisions, attitudes towards domestic violence, decision-making over functionings, political and civic participation, personal agency, and leadership. The empirical results suggest no significant effect of WGO membership, participation or satisfaction on empowerment. We argue that these findings raise new questions about why women join WGOs in post-conflict contexts and what the mechanics of individual and collective empowerment are.

‘Work locally but think globally’: The Alliance Against Women's Oppression and transnational multiracial grassroots activism in the 1980s

AbstractThis article examines the transnational history of the Alliance Against Women's Oppression (AAWO), a multiracial and Marxist US women's organisation founded in California in 1979. By focusing on the political connection between the AAWO, the so‐called ‘Third World’ and other international organisations such as the Women International Democratic Federation, the article intends to delve into the relationship between global far‐left, non‐White women's organisations in the United States and the Global South. Using extensive archival sources internal to the organisation, this work highlights the 1980s as a central period for anti‐imperialist women's activism against the Reagan administration and for the formation of international grassroots connections.

Cold War Sisterhood: The Women's Africa Committee, 1958–1968

Abstract: During the late 1950s, prompted by the US State Department, an interracial group of national leaders of women's organizations in the United States formed the African Women's Committee to reach out to their African counterparts in the wake of successful independence movements throughout the continent. After consulting with numerous African women and leading experts on Africa, the committee initiated a program that brought groups of African women to the United States for short training programs designed to strengthen their leadership skills through both coursework and immersion in women's organizations. This article examines the assumptions both groups of women brought to their interactions and the ways the program changed during this period as a response to racist encounters in the US, new teachers in the classes and African women's evaluations of their experiences.

MAIL ORDER BRIDE DI INDONESIA: ANALISIS PERSPEKTIF FEMINISME LIBERAL

This study aims to examine the practice of mail order bride in Indonesia, a practice that involves the choice of Indonesian women who are below the poverty line. Using qualitative methods with secondary data sources and adopting liberal feminist theory, the findings of the analysis show that women involved in this practice tend to be influenced by economic conditions, patriarchal stigma, and lack of access to education. Despite the Indonesian government's efforts through collaboration with women's protection organizations, the complexity of the challenges faced by Indonesian women indicates the need for more concrete and comprehensive measures. Therefore, in order to confront this practice, the Government of Indonesia needs to strengthen the policies that address the root causes of the poverty line among women involved in mail order bride, and ensure equitable welfare for women across Indonesia.

"When a story gets a face…": Visual elicitation of Serbian perspectives on Afghan refugee women's maternity experiences in Serbia.

Serbia is a country through which many Afghans pass, en route to the European Union. Pregnancy and birth continues for Afghan women while journeying. This study aims to examine the understanding and attitudes of Serbian health professionals and members of women's civil society organisations (CS0) about the perinatal experiences of Afghan women in Serbia, using a webcomic to elicit responses. A total of 38 respondents completed the questionnaire, including health professionals (n = 10), women's CSO members (n = 6), and others (n = 10). The majority had little awareness of the experiences of Afghan women around the childbearing time and for most respondents, viewing the webcomic raised their awareness. Qualitative questionnaire data were analysed thematically, and four inductive themes developed: (1) maternal health provision as inadequate; (2) Afghan women face difficulties in Serbia; (3) solidarity with Afghan women; and (4) the webcomic raises awareness. Webcomics, as a visual modality, may play a valuable role in increasing empathy and awareness of refugee women's perinatal experiences among citizens.

Women's Public Leadership in the Implementation of Women-Friendly Village Program Policy and Child Protection in Kediri Regency

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the strength of women's leadership power as village heads in the implementation of the National Program for Women-Friendly Villages and Child Protection as well as an indicator of gender justice at the village level. This research method uses a qualitative approach with a type of case research. A single informant from the village heads of Kedak, Semen, Kediri and additional informants from the Sahabat Perempuan cadre. Data analysis using the Cresswel model. The findings of this study are: 1. the village head's decision on women's and children's organizations has been drafted; 2. disaggregated data on population by sex, vulnerable groups, disability are available; 3. the village head's decision on Women-Friendly and Child Care Villages has been drafted; 4. allocated budget for activities; 5. Women's representation in Village Governments, Village Consultative Bodies, Village Resilience Institutions, and Village Customary Institutions; 6. There is still a lack of women who are entrepreneurs; 7. There is still a lack of children receiving child-based care; 8. No violence against women and children; 9. no children work; and 10. There is no child marriage. The conclusion of this study is that women's public leadership requires going directly to the community and listening to aspirations and implementing in accordance with the beliefs and personal abilities of the village head.

Empowerment Women's Organizations In The Era Of Digitalization (Dharma Women's Unity in East Java Province, Indonesia)

Era 4.0, digital change in almost all lines of activity, requires digitalization of development, organizational management can keep up with the times, administrators and members are required to follow technology and also apply it to organizational management, creating competent, globally competitive, competitive and innovative human resources (Setiawan, 2016). Previous research studies from primary and secondary data showed that the impact of digitalization was also felt by the East Java DWP by carrying out manual reporting which was not supported by good publications, resulting in all work activities achieved not being able to reach the maximum by the wider community, especially the people of East Java. Existence is able to come out of the existence of something and is able to transcend itself because the existence of a dynamic process comes from existere, which means coming out of, going beyond or overcoming, so existence is not rigid and stops but experiences development or decline depending on the ability to actualize its potential (Abidin, 2006). Women's empowerment accelerates economic growth in a country where to achieve development goals according to the concept of Development Economics, an appropriate development strategy is needed. Empowerment is one of the strategies most widely used in overcoming various development problems because without women's development, economic growth and development will not occur (Marditama et.al, 2021:11). Choosing an interpretive way of how individuals who experience it directly gives meaning to interactions that have been experienced in social life with a pattern of prioritizing a series of descriptions of the experiences of the informants, interpretive builds meaning from life experiences experienced directly (Cresswell, 2018). An interpretive approach to how the East Java DPD organization exists in the era of digitalization is the main focus of the study, how the subjects, namely women who are members of the East Java DWP organization, continue to exist amidst the onslaught of digitalization. Increasing the role of women in DWP so that they are ready in the 4.0 era and ready to face global challenges so that DWP members and families are able to develop their potential through DWP priority programs so that they are able to support the DWP organization to become a center of excellence in empowering women and families and can participate in progress world civilization. It is necessary to increase members' understanding of organizational management through a system that needs to be built in an integrated manner. By instilling a sense of belonging to the organization, caring and unity, a solid organization with creative and innovative activities will be formed.

Evolution of the women’s movement in Ukraine and Europe in the 20th century: The path to gender equality

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that the analysis of the development of the women's movement in Ukraine and the determinants of the influence of women's views on their own place in society in the context of various historical events helps to reduce the number of stereotypes about the role of women in Ukrainian society in the 21st century. Accordingly, the purpose was to provide a historical overview of the reasons for the emergence and development of the Ukrainian movement in the period 1901-2000 and the barriers to gender equality in comparison with the women's movement in European countries. This study was based on a retrospective and systematic analysis of the literature as the main research methods. It was established that the emancipation of the women's movement in Ukraine began at the beginning of the 20th century. In general, the path to gender equality for Ukrainian women consisted of three main stages. The development of women's views was influenced by various economic, social, and political events, as a result of which the ideology of feminism was established, which is separately formed for each stage of the women's movement. Thus, during the first stage until 1919, national feminism was observed. Then, until 1991, feminism had a liberal character. Later, until 2000, social feminism was observed in Ukraine. The results of the study provide consistent information on specific actions of women on the path to gender equality in the last century under the influence of various factors and historical events, which contributed to the development of a unified system of views on the development of the evolution of the women's movement for the period 1901-2000 on the path to gender equality. The results of this study are of practical importance, since they can be used both by women's organisations for information campaigns, and in academic communities for further research on the topic of the women's movement in Ukraine and Europe

Public space as a palimpsest: Revitalising Yukari neighbourhood conservation area

The concept of palimpsest space in architecture is used to describe spaces where past and present meet and overlap, carrying traces of the past and entities of the present at the same time. Therefore, palimpsest spaces are valuable in creating a sense of belonging by preserving the memory of society. This study examines the Yukarı Neighbourhood Women’s Market, where traces of the past intersect with new uses of public space. Yukarı Neighbourhood used to be the commercial centre of Akcakoca until the early 1900s, and there was a weekly street market where only women could participate. Over time, the town centre lost its importance and its inhabitants, and the neighbourhood became almost abandoned. In 1996, the Yukari Neighbourhood and its surroundings were declared a conservation area. However, as the number of dilapidated buildings increased, the area attracted tourists when a local women's organisation started a street market in the same area as before, in 2013. This study examined this local revitalisation process and its outcomes through literature, city maps, zoning plans, population records, photographs and interviews. It was found that the new market is a successful attempt to revitalise the area. The market is well accepted by the public and supported by the local authority. This suggests that local communities have a vital role in regeneration, and that the reuse of public spaces can contribute to a sustainable future for conservation areas.

Traditional Practices and the Social Responsibilities of Indigenous Women Organisations in 21st Century Nigeria

Some African traditional practices are inimical to the rights and status of the women folk as free-born in the society. Some of these traditional practices have lingered. Although there exist Pre-contact indigenous women organisations, which were formed mainly to protect the interest of women, a great number of these obnoxious practices are still being perpetrated unchecked, even in 21st-century Nigeria. The pertinent question this paper seeks to address is why these practices still exist despite the economic, psychological and psycho-social effects they bring upon the development of women. The paper utilised both primary and secondary sources. The case studies were based on selected communities in Nigeria. The paper argues that the continuous perpetration of these practices on women, which is a blatant disregard for human dignity and poses a serious threat to women's development, is due to the inability of these indigenous women's organisations to enforce their social responsibility roles. The paper recommends that to ensure substantial contributions by women to the sustainable development of the nation at large, certain debilitating traditional practices against women should be eradicated so that they can explore their full potential.

Sexuality, social organization, and health in a women's prison

In the United States, sexuality and sexual relationships were foundational concepts for understanding women's prisons that generally receded from carceral research as the nation's incarceration rates climbed. This study reevaluates classic themes of sexuality and women's prison informal organization using social network and health data collected in two Pennsylvania women's prison units (n = 118). Sampled women perceived a high prevalence of prison-based sexual relationships and overwhelmingly endorsed the rights of sexual minorities. Additionally, network analyses found that sexual minority women had similar friendships, social status, and self-reported health as their heterosexual peers across both units, suggesting an absence of sexual stigmatization or group segregation processes. However, older, longer-term incarcerated women were more likely than their peers to hold unfavorable views toward prison sex. This was particularly evident in a “good behavior” unit holding many older, long-term residents where overt sexual behaviors could jeopardize the unit's stability and privileges.