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Idea Association

Gus Dur and the Protection of Women

IdeaPerkumpulan
Posted by January 11, 2018

Yogyakarta, IDEA – The Committee for the Commemoration of Gusdur's Eighth Anniversary held a joint discussion about Gusdur's struggle, (09/01). Held at the Syantikara Dormitory, the discussion was a moment to reflect on Gusdur's struggles, role models and policies, especially regarding Gusdur's role in protecting women.

There are at least several important roles of Gusdur as conveyed by Dr, Rev. Murtini, Dr. Sari Murti and Alissa Wahid when giving testimony in Gusdur's eight-year discussion. These include,

  1. In 1997, during the NU congress in Lombok, Gus Dur explained how women could become leaders
  2. In 2000, when he was president, he issued presidential instruction 9/2000 on gender mainstreaming
  3. Institutionally, when he became president, the ministry of women's roles was changed to the ministry of women's empowerment
  4. Gusdur also rejected the pornography and pornographic action law which has the potential to discriminate against women in their social roles
  5. His international role was seen when Benazir Bhutto's father asked for al faatehah and prayers to be written for his country.

What can be emulated from Gus Dur's several roles are:

  1. Learner and open. Gusdur is not a person who likes to judge others. He reads books on Islam and other religions. From these books, his open attitude is shown in his behavior
  2. Objectively see reality and give honest appreciation. This comes from individual experience. His mother (Sholichah) became a widow at 29 years old and raised 6 children. From that experience, his appreciation for women's struggles is very strong
  3. Living in an Islamic, open and characterful family. He learned from KH Wahid Hasyim who in the 1950s became a pioneer of female judge schools when he was the Minister of Religion. This father's inspiration was ingrained and implemented in his policies when he became head of state

Hopefully we can all learn from the journey of this nation's teachers. The journey of history will inspire the younger generation to carve out a new history for this nation. [WZ]

Editor: AH

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