Feminism has long been lived in society, developing from time to time. But it has never changed the real meaning and purpose of feminism itself. Feminism is closely related to women. The definition of feminism is a series of social and political movements, and ideologies that have the same goal; to define, develop and achieve gender equality in the political, economic, personal and social environment.
This ideology is often mistaken for groups that have hatred of men, weaken men, or are adherents of atheists. In reality, feminism is not an ideology of hatred, but rather a movement and ideology that fights for equality for women in the fields of politics, economy, culture, private space and public space. To achieve gender equality there will indeed be misunderstandings that seem to weaken the position of men in society, such as the existence of career women and father of the household. The role of feminism here is to improve gender relations, not to strengthen one sex at the expense of the other. The ideology of feminism has changed social civilization in that all human beings have the right to equal rights and are treated fairly before the nation’s laws, regardless of gender or social status. This proves that feminism is not merely defending women but all human beings.
Feminism is included in the category of modern thought, which means that the analysis tool of feminism will concern the position of women and their position as citizens. Like the other thoughts, feminism has a basic assumption that cannot be changed, namely that women are oppressed. Therefore, a social understanding of the effects of women’s oppression is needed which then emerges an assumption, and this is what drives the feminist social movement. An example is the cases of mass rape of women during the 1998 riots that happened in Indonesia. There are many feminists who help voice this case because the victims are reluctant to speak up caused by a heavy sense of trauma.
In politics, there is a belief that only patriarchs have the right to rule, while feminists are only an object of the reputation of the patriarchy and cannot control the power. The position of women can be said to be marginalized, and have less space than men. However, this is no longer the case in the current political situation which has changed into liberal. This is certainly a way for feminists to speak up that women also deserve to be leaders of the country.
Feminism, which is now part of politics, comes from the long struggle of the feminist movement in Western countries, especially in the United States since the first wave of feminism, which at that time attempted to eliminate discrimination against women and groups that were considered weak. The second wave is marked as the “Women Liberation Movements”, namely the period of women’s liberation. The third wave is a period when political movements have prioritized women’s politics, racial ethnicity, and are commonly known as “postmodern politics”.
Soekarno, Indonesia’s first president, once said, “Indonesian women, your obligation is clear, now participate in the effort to save the Republic, and if the Republic is safe, participate absolutely in the effort to build the National State. Do not be left behind in the State Revolution from beginning to end, and do not be left behind in the effort to organize social justice society and social welfare. In a social justice society and social welfare, you will be a happy woman, a free woman.”
Soekarno’s words above are a support for feminists to contribute to the efforts to put forward and educate the Indonesian nation by giving freedom to deliver their voices and the right to vote. In fact, this nation will not run if it does not generalize its own society.
If we look back, it was women activists who started the real reform movement in 1998. This is evidenced by the existence of a feminist movement that was carried out on March 8, 1998 named Suara Ibu Peduli. Before the demonstration by a number of students that happened in 1998, this movement was the first to voice their aspirations regarding the political and economic crisis that hit Indonesia during the New Order government. This movement was the trigger for the student movement which eventually brought down the New Order era.
Women also have an important role to build a democratic society. However, this requires an open mindset of society, which does not even overthrow women as if they are weak and oppressed. Instead, treat women like humans and give them space to speak up.
