GENDER ANALYSIS OF COMMUNAL CONFLICTS IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Indonesia has seen communal conflicts occur in its regions since the Reform Era. In conflicts, women are regarded as vulnerable groups. Women's experience of conflict is unique and different from men. This study aimed to: 1) Identify the impacts of violent conflicts in Indonesia for the women who experience the conflict episodes; 2) Analyse the experience of women in facing violent conflict situations in Indonesia; and 3) Investigate the role of women in managing violent conflicts in Indonesia. The agency model in gender and development analysis is used to address the research aims. The results are that communal conflicts in Indonesia has several impacts for women in terms of social reproduction, livelihoods and participation in society. These impacts and experiences are related to the 5 expressions of women's agency. Women can actively participate in the three phases of conflict so that they can have a role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding process, as well as rehabilitation, reintegration and reconstruction post conflict by participating both in formal level (politics) or informal levels personally or in women's organizations. The Presidential Decree (Perpres) No. 18 Year 2014 as a result of the collective agency of women experiencing conflict is to be celebrated. But the real challenge is how to implement the Perpres in real-world setting in communal conflicts in Indonesia so that the negative impacts of conflict can be handled towards programs of conflict prevention, conflict management and peace process that is gender based which ensure equality and facilitate women's empowerment.
 
Keywords: Gender Analysis, Communal Conflict, Agency, Women