Yogyakarta, May 7th 2021━Still with the spirit of Kartini Day and Earth Day that was celebrated last April, Social Research Center or Sorec of the Department of Sociology of UGM came back with another monthly discussion to celebrate those two momentums on Friday (7/5). Entitled Ecofeminists in Indonesia: Protecting, Caring, and Fighting for the Future, this discussion presented two experts to address environmental and women’s issues from different perspectives; theoretical and practical perspectives.
These two different but complementary points of view were presented in order to gain a deeper understanding of women’s advocacy journey. “The story about women’s advocacy is a historical story that is not only interesting for the past, but much more important, (it is important to) actualize women’s struggles in a different history,” said Dr. Arie Sujito, Chairman of SOREC, in his remarks at the beginning of the event.
These stories are obtained from Aleta Baun, the first expert who is a woman and environmental activist. Talked about her experience and knowledge regarding local values and wisdom that play a major role in the existence of the earth, the environment, as well as social life more broadly, Aleta explained in detail the relationship between women and the environment.
Aleta’s story was strengthened by the theoretical explanation of the second expert, Desintha Dwi Asriani Ph.D., as a lecturer at the Department of Sociology. In her presentation, Desintha emphasized many points conveyed by Aleta, such as those related to environmental damage which affects things close to women’s daily lives. Desintha, who departed from a theoretical point of view, tended to explore ecofeminism itself, from concepts and contexts, to examples of real movements.
“The narrative about women’s resistance stretches from the western to eastern tip of Indonesia. In each region, the uniqueness of the problems faced is an important context for why women’s resistance to fighting for ecological justice colors the practice of eco-feminism in Indonesia,” Desintha said in her presentation material.
The explanations from the two speakers, coupled with an interactive question and answer session with the participants, were then wrapped neatly by the conclusions of the moderator, Sidiq Hari Madya, M.S.c., before closing the event. This May edition of the monthly SOREC discussion can be watched again on the official YouTube channel of the Department of Sociology of UGM.