Chapter 14

Women as Producers of Information in Indonesia

By Ade Tanesia

Indonesia entered in 1998 the reforms era liberating itself from the repressive authoritarian New Order Regime. Reforms has also occurred in the media sector resulting in the emergence of many media in various supports, such as print, audio and audio visual. However, have these media given any access to the public’s voice? In reality, most media have not accommodated the public’s voice. Hence, what is required is to let the society become the producers of information. A medium like community radio becomes the most appropriate media to broadcast public’s interest programming. In Indonesia, there are about 600 community radio stations. However, the question remains whether community radio has been fully used by groups of people, including women, that are always marginalized. The result of questionnaires distributed to a number of community radio stations has showed that women’s involvement in the management of community radio is still insufficient. The same situation can befound when it comes to analyze their programming; only a few programs are dedicated to women. In most cases, the programs are about recipes and health and beauty problems, rather than about issues related to women’s rights.

Nevertheless, groups of women had the initiative to use radio as a medium to disseminate issues on women’s rights, among them, Women Voice Radio in Pariaman, West Sumatra and Women Journal Radio Program. The former is a community radio station; the later is a producer of a shortfeature programs broadcasted through all radio networks in Indonesia. Women Journal Radio Program is currently being broadcasted weekly on 183 radio stations in Indonesia.

Women Voice Radio in Pariaman, West Sumatra

Radio Suara Perempuan (Women Voice Radio) in Pariaman, West Sumatra, was founded by Nurhayati Kahar. At the beginning, she was concerned about the large number of cases of violence against women in her region. Therefore, she founded the Institution for Victims of Violent Acts to Women and Children, which was legally registered in 2002. The Intitution choose to use community radio to spread their campaign against violence to women.

Kahar thinks that violence against women is hidden because the culture of shame is still very strong. For instance, there are many cases of rape that are usually settled by custom law, in which the cases are sttled with peace agreements or fine. Yet, if the rapist is a prominent figure in society, the case is often covered up. In fact, the blame is usually directed to the victimized woman. Hence, Women Voice Radio encourages women to fight for justice. Kahar insists that a case of violence against women should not be settled by custom law because it often disadvantages women; it should be processed by criminal law.

Women Voice Radio uses local language, namely Minang language. Its target audience is not only women but men too. It is very important for men to know about the law on violence against women, so that they may not consider women unintelligent anymore.

The Women Voice Radio program encompasses themes concerning health, religion, child education, sex matters and information about the the city. In addition, it also plans to give information on the economy (like prices of goods and tips for marketing) because almost 95 per cent of women have home industries like weaving and embroidery.

It is interesting that every Sunday night the radio broadcasts a radio drama called Carito Minang (Minang story). The stories are taken from everyday occurrences involving women. There is a drama entitled “Maha Bana Baliajo,” which treats about the resistance against custom marriage in Pariaman. In this region, there is a custom by which if a woman wants to marry a man, the woman’s family must pay some money as dowry to the man’s family. The price varies and it can be bargained. The higher the education of the man, the higher price the woman’s family must pay. This practice is now getting out of hand as there is tendency to reinforce the custom. In fact, the women feel proud if they can buy men of high prices. Through this drama, Women Voice Radio actually wants to break this dowry practice so that there will be no tradition of buying a man.

The radio producers will never quit fighting for information and communication access for women in Pariaman. Progressively changes are beginning to happen. Now there are many women willing to speak out about their problems on the radio, even though they will still use pseudonyms. If they need further consultation, they can come directly to the institution. Every Sunday afternoon, a listeners gathering is held. On those occasions, Women Voice Radio gives everyone the opportunity to be a broadcaster. Despite seeking talented broadcasters, it can improve people’s participation.

Women Journal Radio program

With support from USAID-OTI, Women Journal Radio began its activities in 1999, by renting air time from radio stations in Jakarta, like Delta FM, MS 3 and Pesona FM. For four months, these three radio stations received recorded discussions made by Women Journal Radio. At the time, the discussions were very conventional, they invited some speakers to come to Delta FM studio to discuss topics on women.

In order to maximize the program-making, the Women Journal Foundation was able to get financial support to buy equipments and build a studio. In 2000, Women Journal Radio succesfully started cooperation with 30 radio stations across Indonesia. In 2001, with support from the Netherlands Embassy, the number of radio stations broadcasting Women Journal Radio program increased to 50 radio stations and in 2002 it increased to 100. With full support from the Ford Foundation since 2003, Women Journal Radio increased the numbers to 162 partners across Indonesia. Local radio stations recognized the importance of the information for their listeners and the Women Journal Radio program has become the most expected program and one of their favorite programs. As a result, Women Journal Radio program does not have to pay for antena time in most local radio stations.

Women Journal Radio program is listened to mostly by housewives of the middle and lower classes. Topics that are brought up by the program vary, for instance, violence against women, female reproductive health, women representation in politics, profiles of local women, labour, women’s rights, etc. One of the advantages of the program is that it covers women’s daily problems, which had traditionally been ignored as relevant information by media.

TheWomen Journal Radio always makes radio production taking into account radio techniques on the duration, the use of sound bytes and format of programs. The formats are not only informative but also entertaining. By February 2006, Women Journal Radio had produced 334 programs in the format of short features presentations. In the beginning,, the program had a duration of 20 minutes, but since October 2003, the program has been shortened to 10 minutes. This reduction is a response of the Women Journal Radio to its listeners who prefer their programs in short, compact and informative format.