Kowani’s dual leadership reflects Indonesia’s democratic malaise
What does the Kowani dual leadership debacle reflect about women’s rights, politics and democracy in Indonesia?
The Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) has been plagued by dual leadership, reflecting the country's democratic issues. Formed in 1946, Kowani is Indonesia's largest umbrella organization for women's groups, with diverse social, religious and political backgrounds. However, Kowani has often been closely tied to the state, serving as a corporate organization for women during the New Order regime (1966-1998) and institutionalizing women's roles as wives and mothers.
Despite efforts to become more independent in the Reform era (1998-present), Kowani remains a state-affiliated entity, limiting its ability to advocate for female leadership, economic independence and legal protection.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post Academia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
