INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FEMINISM:
INTERSECTING IDENTITIES, AGENCY AND POLITICS
(TO COMMEMORATE 20 YEARS JURNAL PEREMPUAN)
Jakarta, 22-24 September 2016
Background
The term “feminism” has often a negative connotation, especially in Indonesia. Though the term feminism usually refers to political activism by women on behalf of women. Feminism highlights the injustice and inequality that we face in our society and demand for change. bell hooks defines feminism the movement to end women’s oppression (hooks, 2000: 26). Furthermore, feminist theory provides intellectual tools to examine the injustices experienced by women and is a body of knowledge that can improve women’s lives. For example, feminist theories respond to quesitons such as: How are women subordinated as women? How can we understand the ways in which specific events might be part of social oppression based on sex, rather than unique individual misfortunes? How can we be sure that we have clear understanding of oppresive situations? How can women resist subordination? How should we work for changes that will improve women’s lives? (McCann, Kim (ed), 2003:1-2).
Feminists understood “woman” critically. They see “woman” not as a sex term but as gender term, socially constructed. Feminists also see the diversity and richness of feminism. Feminism is not only prominent in the level of "global", often associated with Western feminism, but also "local" referring to their particularism, provincialism or Third World worldview (Basu, 2000). The term “global” can also refer to transnational movement, which are ideas and resources that transcend boundaries. Basu further explained transnational feminism as a form of global alliances, a campaign based on issues and have developed within "global civil society." Transnational activism is evident in CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) in 1979.
The discussion above is an elaboration of what is currently at play in Indonesia. There is anxiety among local feminism in regards to Western feminism although transnational activism has been helpful in advocating issues like trafficking, violence against women, and so forth. In the internet era, what happened in India for example in terms of rape and also the shooting of Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, brings together women's movements worldwide. Along with that, also there are other tensions that emerged in local culture itself such as traditional practices harmful to women. We see local laws restricting women and child marriage at an alarming rate. In the spirit of regional autonomy, local regulations actually damage women especially when the regulations are revived with religious fundamentalism, intolerant of women and anti pluralism.
It is no wonder that public policies that are passed are often discriminatory or that women and minority rights are not apparent in these policies. Patriarchal cultural and religious fundamentalism discredit women and when coupled with the silencing of the Third World feminists discourse (constructed predominantly by the West), the situation gets worse.
To commemorate 20 years of Jurnal Perempuan’s journey as the only feminist journal to date in Indonesia, Jurnal Perempuan would like to address the issue of difference between women and intersecting identity, also dimension of dominance that shape the lives of women. Jurnal Perempuan want to explore different experiences between women, sexism, homophobia, national and global identity, and want to understand the multiplicity of women’s social locations and experiences negotiated every day. How can one negotiate the diffrences and build effective politics and policies?
Jurnal Perempuan was established in 1996 during the New Order, an authoritarian regime. Jurnal Perempuan took part in a significant role in organising a protest on the 23rd of February 1998 called the Voice of Concerned Mothers (SIP), a women’s movement to tople President Suharto. To date, the journal has a wide base members of approximately over 600 members (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) from various regions in Indonesia. For the last three years, it has developed Jurnal Perempuan in English, an effort to introduce Indonesian feminist discourse to the world. The 20th anniversary of Jurnal Perempuan is dedicated to Friends of Jurnal Perempuan, members consisting of NGOs, government, national and local parliaments, students, academics, professionals, homemakers and feminist men who joined the feminist movement in Jurnal Perempuan.
Objective
Feminists understood “woman” critically. They see “woman” not as a sex term but as gender term, socially constructed. Feminists also see the diversity and richness of feminism. Feminism is not only prominent in the level of "global", often associated with Western feminism, but also "local" referring to their particularism, provincialism or Third World worldview (Basu, 2000). The term “global” can also refer to transnational movement, which are ideas and resources that transcend boundaries. Basu further explained transnational feminism as a form of global alliances, a campaign based on issues and have developed within "global civil society." Transnational activism is evident in CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) in 1979.
The discussion above is an elaboration of what is currently at play in Indonesia. There is anxiety among local feminism in regards to Western feminism although transnational activism has been helpful in advocating issues like trafficking, violence against women, and so forth. In the internet era, what happened in India for example in terms of rape and also the shooting of Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, brings together women's movements worldwide. Along with that, also there are other tensions that emerged in local culture itself such as traditional practices harmful to women. We see local laws restricting women and child marriage at an alarming rate. In the spirit of regional autonomy, local regulations actually damage women especially when the regulations are revived with religious fundamentalism, intolerant of women and anti pluralism.
It is no wonder that public policies that are passed are often discriminatory or that women and minority rights are not apparent in these policies. Patriarchal cultural and religious fundamentalism discredit women and when coupled with the silencing of the Third World feminists discourse (constructed predominantly by the West), the situation gets worse.
To commemorate 20 years of Jurnal Perempuan’s journey as the only feminist journal to date in Indonesia, Jurnal Perempuan would like to address the issue of difference between women and intersecting identity, also dimension of dominance that shape the lives of women. Jurnal Perempuan want to explore different experiences between women, sexism, homophobia, national and global identity, and want to understand the multiplicity of women’s social locations and experiences negotiated every day. How can one negotiate the diffrences and build effective politics and policies?
Jurnal Perempuan was established in 1996 during the New Order, an authoritarian regime. Jurnal Perempuan took part in a significant role in organising a protest on the 23rd of February 1998 called the Voice of Concerned Mothers (SIP), a women’s movement to tople President Suharto. To date, the journal has a wide base members of approximately over 600 members (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) from various regions in Indonesia. For the last three years, it has developed Jurnal Perempuan in English, an effort to introduce Indonesian feminist discourse to the world. The 20th anniversary of Jurnal Perempuan is dedicated to Friends of Jurnal Perempuan, members consisting of NGOs, government, national and local parliaments, students, academics, professionals, homemakers and feminist men who joined the feminist movement in Jurnal Perempuan.
Objective
- To commemorate JP 20 Years.
- To explore the term feminism in Indonesia and discuss the impact of political feminism on women’s lives.
- Networks of feminists and international multi stakeholders working on gender equality.
Call for Papers
Authors are invited to contribute their ideas and experiences and to present them in the conference. The submitted papers are peer-reviewed for acceptance. The accepted and presented papers will be published in Indonesian Feminist Journal and Jurnal Perempuan.
Themes
- Religion, Tradition and Feminism
- Feminist Public Policy
- Sexuality, Bodies and Reporductive Rights
- Justice for LGBTQ
- Local,Global and Transnational Feminist Movements in 21st Century
- Work and Labor Issues
- Men Doing Feminism
Important Dates
Registration deadline : 5 June 2016
Notification of abstract acceptance : 20 June 2016
Full Paper Submission : 20 July 2016
Notification of paper acceptance : 20 August 2016
Notification of abstract acceptance : 20 June 2016
Full Paper Submission : 20 July 2016
Notification of paper acceptance : 20 August 2016
Conference Registration Fee
For Indonesian participants:
The conference is for SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) members, if you are not a member yet please go to http://www.jurnalperempuan.org/sahabat-jurnal-perempuan.html to become a member or email [email protected] for inquiries. All members are entitled to free accomodation and meals for 3 nights and 4 days covered by the organizer. Travel is non inclusive. Early Registration (Before 1 May 2016) – IDR 50,000,- After 1 May: IDR 100,000,-
For International participants:
International participants can participate without being a member of SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan). Early Registration (Before 1 May)- US 20,-After 1 May: US 35,- Accomodation for 3 nights and 4 days and meals are covered by the organizer. Please check internet for visa requirements for most countries visa on arrival are available.
The conference is for SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) members, if you are not a member yet please go to http://www.jurnalperempuan.org/sahabat-jurnal-perempuan.html to become a member or email [email protected] for inquiries. All members are entitled to free accomodation and meals for 3 nights and 4 days covered by the organizer. Travel is non inclusive. Early Registration (Before 1 May 2016) – IDR 50,000,- After 1 May: IDR 100,000,-
For International participants:
International participants can participate without being a member of SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan). Early Registration (Before 1 May)- US 20,-After 1 May: US 35,- Accomodation for 3 nights and 4 days and meals are covered by the organizer. Please check internet for visa requirements for most countries visa on arrival are available.
Dates and Program
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 22-24 September 2016
Thursday, 22 September 2016 at 7pm (Dinner & Introductions)
Friday, Saturday 23-24 Septmber 2016 at 9.00am-5pm (Full Day Conference)
Friday, 23 September at 7pm-10pm (Cultural Performance)
Saturday, 24 September 7pm-10.30pm (Amigos-Music)
Thursday, 22 September 2016 at 7pm (Dinner & Introductions)
Friday, Saturday 23-24 Septmber 2016 at 9.00am-5pm (Full Day Conference)
Friday, 23 September at 7pm-10pm (Cultural Performance)
Saturday, 24 September 7pm-10.30pm (Amigos-Music)
Please contact
Anita Dhewy ([email protected]) for articles submission.
Himah Sholihah ([email protected]) for logistic and SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) members.
Anita Dhewy ([email protected]) for articles submission.
Himah Sholihah ([email protected]) for logistic and SJP (Friends of Jurnal Perempuan) members.
Venue
Hotel Arion Swiss-Belhotel International
Jl. Kemang Raya No.7
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia
Note: Accomodation (3 nights and 4 days) and meals are provided by the organizer.
Jl. Kemang Raya No.7
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia
Note: Accomodation (3 nights and 4 days) and meals are provided by the organizer.