The Muslim Women's Movement in Indonesia: A Study of the Aisyiyah Organisation, 1966-2001

Abstract

This thesis examines the role and social involvement of Aisyiyah, the female section of the Muhammadiyah, within the context of the Indonesian women's movement. This is achieved by analysing the development of the organisation visa vis other women's organisations. It looks at the activities of Aisyiyah during the period 1966-2001 which is a critical period of socio-political change in Indonesia. As the socio-political situation changed from the authoritarian New Order regime 1966-1998 to a democratic Reformation Era, from 1998 onward, Aisyiyah's activities and development during the period underwent significant change as well. Under the New Order regime, Aisyiyah was forced to design its activities to be in line with government policy in order to be socially and politically acceptable. One could even say that Aisyiyah provided justification for the government's national development policies, and seldom, if ever, opposed these. However, following the Reformation Era begun in Habiebie's government in 1998, Aisyiyah transformed itself into a socially and politically active movement that is no longer hidebound by its Muhammadiyah affiliation or by its Muslim orientation. It has readily taken up a range of national issues and has arguably become much more than simply a women's auxiliary of Muhammadiyah. Indeed, it is acquiring a life and rationale of its own.