An important part of recent Islamic activism in Indonesia has been the rise of conservative women’s groups such as the Family Love Alliance (Aliansi Cinta Keluarga Indonesia, AILA). In the 2019 legislative elections, several conservative female activists participated as candidates. Campaigning against what they perceive as threats to traditional morality and religious values, these women challenge conventional notions of women’s political activism, positioning themselves as anti-feminists.
Who are the women at the forefront of this new wave of conservative female activism? What motivates them and what are their main goals and strategies? How does their increased sense of agency relate to broader trends of growing religious conservatism in Indonesia?
In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Dirk Tomsa discusses these and other questions with Dyah Ayu Kartika, a researcher at the Center for the Study of Religion and Democracy (Pusad Paramadina) in Jakarta and a correspondent fellow for New Mandala.
In 2019, the Talking Indonesia podcast is co-hosted by Dr Dirk Tomsa from La Trobe University, Dr Dave McRae from the University of Melbourne’s Asia Institute, Dr Jemma Purdey from Deakin University, and Dr Charlotte Setijadi from Singapore Management University.
Look out for a new Talking Indonesia podcast every fortnight. Catch up on previous episodes here, subscribe via iTunes or listen via your favourite podcasting app.
Photo by Dyah Ayu Kartika.
