PRELIMINARY STUDY IN THREE COUNTRIES : INDONESIA REPORT

This paper documents the social, legal, and economic status of Indonesia"s 66 million women without neglecting ethnic differences. The first section describes the country"s Islamic, Christian, and common-law marriage customs, which impact on every aspect of a woman"s existence. The history of Indonesia"s women"s movement, especially in eliminating child and forced marriages, polygamy, and husband-initiated arbitrary divorce are discussed. This is followed by a portrayal of the difficulties faced by women -- particularly the young and/or unmarried -- in achieving equal status under the law in regard to child custody, property ownership, control of income, tax liability, access to credit, political participation, and educational opportunities. The many factors responsible for the high rates of female anemia/malnutrition and maternal mortality are examined, along with the success of family planning programs in alleviating these conditions and in opening new opportunities to women. Women"s communications networks and the strength of organized women"s groups in the country are also discussed; an annex on membership of the Indonesian Women"s Congress gives further details. Also presented are economic and demographic profiles of women, the former including an historical and cultural survey of women"s work patterns. The author gives her impressions of the effects of modernization on women, particularly of the negative impact of modern agricultural technology on poor rural women. After a survey of current field investigations (with further information included in an annex), a final chapter critiques the existing data on Indonesian women and offers research recommendations, among them improved coordination of information and institutions, augmented institutional capabilities, modified survey techniques, and an expanded, more accurate information data base. A 317-item bibliography (1911-78) and a survey of current research on women at the University of Indonesia, Faculty of Social Sciences, are appended.