Statistically, compared to man, women are more accurate, patient and responsible in work, however, they do not have enough bravely to take risks in decision making –Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt.-
The above statement was issued by Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt in an international conference “Women in Public Area” which was held for two days, from 16 to 17 July, 2008. The conference took place at the graduate school, Gadjah Mada University Building. The conference was supported by the Center for Women Studies, GMU, and the Graduate school, Gadjah Mada University. The opening of the conference were attended by Dr. Mutia Hatta, ministry of women empowerment, Prof. Dr. Irwan Abdullah, the director of graduate school, Gadjah Mada University, Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt, vice of Senior Rector of Gadjah Mada University in field of education, research and dedication for society, and other participants from various countries such us America, Pakistan, Philippine, Nigeria, Spain, Colombia, India, etc. the conference was held in order to celebrate one hundred years of the resurrection of Indonesian women.
In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih said that gender equality is the main problem not only in developing countries, but also in development countries. Men and women have a responsibility to create gender equality.
Limited access in education, health, economics and labor, politics and decision making, law and regulation make women’s participation in the public sector limited, said Mutia Hatta, Minister of Women Empowerment. Therefore, some strategies which have been undertaken to improve women participation in the public sector are empowering the intuition of gender mainstreaming, political support, and providing educational material, which is not gender biased. On this occasion, Mutia Hatta also said that some programs which are carried at by the Indonesian government to increase men participation toward women are by creating “the movement to love mother”, and husband Care”. Further, she said that some problems related to gender bias are no regulation to protect worker from informal sector like servants, no regulations related to providing security to pregnant women doing night-shift work etc.
On the first day of the conference, there were two sessions. The first session discussed women in social culture, economy and labor, and literature. The speakers were Dr. Ratna Saptari (University of Leiden), Dr. Dr. Rohani Abdul (University Kebangsaan Melayu, Malaysia), Dr. David A. Aremu (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), Dr. Nenita Domingo (University of California, USA) and Prof. Dr. Hafeez (Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan). And the moderator was Mrs. Laila Kamyab from Iran. The second session talked about women empowerment and politic. The speaker were Prof. Dr. Ayesha Begum (University of Dhake), Dr. Nathuram Kaswan (Govt.PG. College, Srigangangar, India), Dr. Kameshwar Prasad Singh & Dr. Asha Singh (Ranchi University, India) Aneela Sulthana (Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan) and Dr. Nur Azizah, M.Si (University of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia). The moderator was Amir Rostamdokht (INCULS, Gadjah Mada University).
Besides presenting speakers from any educational background, the conference also presented art performance of “Triologi Dalang Wanita”. The puppeteers were Ganeswara Sayekti (Indonesia), Nyi Sophia Penicarito (Indonesia) and Hanae Kobayashi (Japan).
