How Young Indonesian Women Struggle to Find Their Place in Society

Indonesia is a country of contrasts, where modernity and tradition coexist. Sometimes in harmony, sometimes in conflict. For many young women, this creates a dilemma: how to navigate their aspirations and expectations in a society that is changing rapidly, but not always in their favor.

Indonesia has made some progress on women’s rights. Reducing child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, increasing maternal health and literacy, and providing social protection and pensions. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that hinder women’s empowerment and equality. Low representation in politics, high prevalence of violence against women, lack of access to decent work and assets, and limited data and monitoring on gender issues.

One of the most pressing problems facing Indonesian women is the lack of employment opportunities and career prospects. Many women in Indonesia, and globally, are employed in vulnerable sectors, such as in retail, hospitality, or the garment sector, which has seen significant job losses and reduced hours since the start of the pandemic. Even more women are informal workers, where the impacts are difficult to capture, and access to social support systems is limited.

The Younger Women.

For young women who have completed their education, finding a job that matches their skills and interests is not easy. Many employers prefer to hire men over women, or require women to have experience or connections that they do not have. Some women face discrimination or harassment in the workplace, or have to balance their work and family responsibilities without adequate support or flexibility. As a result, many young women feel frustrated and disillusioned with their career options.

Some young women resort to alternative ways of earning money, such as seeking sugar daddies or engaging in prostitution. These practices expose them to risks of exploitation, violence, and health problems. They also undermine their dignity and self-esteem, and prevent them from realizing their full potential.

Other young women opt to stay at home or pursue domestic roles, such as getting married early or having children. There is nothing wrong with these choices if they are made freely and happily, some young women may feel pressured or coerced by their families or society to conform to traditional norms and expectations. They may also miss out on opportunities for personal growth and development that could enrich their lives.

What can be done to help these young women find their place in society? There is no simple or quick solution, but there are some steps that can be taken by various stakeholders:

• The government should implement policies and programs that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in all spheres of life, such as education, health, economy, politics, and culture. This includes ensuring equal access to quality education and training, decent work and social protection, legal rights and justice, political participation and representation, and data and information.
• The private sector should adopt gender-sensitive practices and standards that create a fair and inclusive work environment for women. This includes eliminating gender-based discrimination and harassment, providing equal pay and benefits, offering flexible work arrangements and parental leave, supporting career development and advancement, and fostering diversity and inclusion.
• The civil society should advocate for women’s rights and interests, raise awareness on gender issues, provide services and support for women in need, monitor and evaluate the implementation of gender policies and programs, and hold the government and the private sector accountable for their actions.
• The media should portray women in a positive and realistic way that reflects their diversity and complexity. This includes avoiding stereotypes and biases that reinforce gender inequality, highlighting women’s achievements and contributions to society, showcasing women’s perspectives and opinions on various topics, and challenging harmful norms and practices that affect women.
• The families should respect and support women’s choices and aspirations, encourage their education and career development, share household responsibilities equally among family members, protect them from violence and abuse, and provide them with love and care.
• The individuals should empower themselves by pursuing their passions and goals, seeking opportunities for learning and growth, building networks of support and solidarity with other women, standing up for their rights and dignity, expressing their views and opinions freely, celebrating their achievements and strengths.

Indonesian women are not a lost generation. They are a generation of potential. They have the power to shape their own future and contribute to the development of their country. They deserve respect and recognition for who they are and what they can do. They need our help and support to overcome the challenges they face and realize their dreams.