Srikandi

Association of Indonesian Women in Multinational Marriages

Perkumpulan Wanita Indonesia dalam Perkawinan Antar Bangsa

Translate this Page

Dati Suparmono 0813 -85521242
Anita Halliday 0812-9201916
Additional contact: Ries rwoodhouse@hotmail.com

Secretariat:
c/o Dewi Hardy dhhardy@hotmail.com
Jl Abdul Majid 10
Cipete Selatan, Jakarta Selatan 12410

Aliansi Pelangi Antar Bangsa (http://www.aliansipab.com/) - Cooperative efforts between Srikandi, the Foreign Wives of Indonesians and Diana, to change the Indonesian laws affecting mixed nationality couples

Srikandi is an organization aimed as a support system and networking forum for Indonesian women married to or previously married to non Indonesians. Regular meetings are arranged for self improvement and to enhance family life

Those who are familiar with the wayang from the Mahabharata epic most likely recognize the name Srikandi. She was a very beautiful, popular wayang character, admired for her courage and loyalty to her family and her country. Her name was chosen as the name for a new organization founded for Indonesian women in multi-national marriages, officially and legally formed on October 10, 2000.

Srikandi is an Indonesian women's organization designed to provide a forum for networking, support, experience and information sharing for self improvement, and programs to enhance the family life of members. All Indonesian women who are married or were previously married to foreigners, regardless of their nationality, are cordially invited to join Srikandi's membership. Srikandi's activities revolve around focal issues that are of interest and concern to members, including legal matters and the raising of a multi-national family. Social, recreational, and spiritually uplifting activities are also planned for members. Activities are held at various venues. Members can get more information about the organization by attending Srikandi presentations and activities, or from our newsletter, Berita Srikandi. It is the hope of Srikandi's founders that members who need support and have inquiries regarding international, mixed marriages will receive guidance through these endeavors.

As a new organization, Srikandi is presently making long range plans. To strengthen our efforts, help is needed to spread the word about Srikandi. Although we are aware of the many challenges we are facing, we are optimistic that, with strong support from all members and the community at large, our goals will be realized. Prospective members are welcome to participate in our activities and familiarize themselves with our organization.

Srikandi was officially and legally established through the notary, Mrs. Agustina Junaedy, S.H. on 10 October 2000.

What can a member expect from Srikandi?

A member can expect friendship, support, information and creative activities from the organization. Information can be obtained through our newsletter, Berita Srikandi, as well as presentations provided at our meetings. Members who need support or have enquires regarding international mixed marriages will receive assistance from this organization.

What are the activities of Srikandi?

Srikandi's activities include a series of presentations that are of interest to our members such as legal issues or raising a multi-national family. A variety of activities encompassing religious, social, charitable and recreational themes are provided to the members. Activities are held at different locations.

How is Srikandi financed?

Financial support for Srikandi comes from the members through annual membership fees. Occasionally, Srikandi also holds fund raising activities. Donations or sponsorships are greatly appreciated. These contributions will enable Srikandi to better serve its members and the community at large. All funds collected go toward activities of the organization - including charity programs. Annual membership Rp 200.000 Renewal Rp 150.000

The Structure of Srikandi

The organization is governed by a Board who are elected by members for a two year period at an annual meeting. The Board, consisting of two Co-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer are responsible for the members.

Program Coordinators take charge of each chosen program activity. Board members and Program Coordinators are volunteers who are dedicated to the success of the organization.

Why is it important to join Srikandi?

We already know that our mission is to create a mutual bond between members by providing a forum for networking, support, sharing of experiences and information for self improvement, and to enhance family life. This organization is from us and for us.

One of the problems that Indonesian women have in multi-national marriages is that they are not allowed to sponsor their husbands and children who are foreign citizens to live in Indonesia when or if they don't receive sponsorship from a company. This is because of the different rights for Indonesian men and women in the law regarding multi-national marriages, which discriminates against women. Foreign men married to Indonesian women can also not easily attain Indonesian citizenship, and children of these marriages are not automatically entitled to Indonesian citizenship. This is particularly difficult when the foreign husbands of Indonesian women don't have a job and are applying for employment, and must leave Indonesia with the children. In this case, the wife is the only one entitled to live in Indonesia.

From the perspective of the children of multi-national marriages, the law that rejects their presence unless their fathers have sponsors can be emotionally troubling. They are perceived as foreigners even though many of them are born and raised in Indonesia. Wherever they are, they feel a part of Indonesia and also have Indonesian values and traditions, even though it may not fully account for their upbringing. They have high social responsibility and are concerned about the progress and the social welfare of the Indonesian nation.

From the Indonesian state's point of view, children from these multi-national marriages can act as part of the human capital resources needed for the development of the country. They are trained to work and effectively compete with their peers from different cultural and national backgrounds. They also can speak both English and/or the other languages of their fathers as well as Indonesian. Their abilities, either in cultural understanding, creativity or skilled knowledge and financial capital, are an asset for Indonesia that can contribute greatly to facing this era of globalization.

Based on the above consideration, we, Indonesian women who are married to foreigners, want very much to receive the same treatment as well as the rights and obligation of Indonesian men married to foreign women, based on the laws and regulations regarding multi-national marriages. As citizens who love our country and care about problems faced by our needy fellow citizens, Srikandi members also wish Srikandi to be a place that can support the government in all humanitarian aspects.

If we can reach our dream, Indonesian women will be able to sponsor their husbands and children of foreign citizenship to live in Indonesia, as Indonesian men can sponsor their wives and children of foreign citizenship.

We still have a very long way to go to reach our dream. We have to work together to give our support to the efforts to reach our mutual goal. You can give your support, among other ways, by joining the Srikandi membership and becoming actively involved or simply by joining the activities, whenever and wherever possible. Because of that, please, answer the above question in your heart, and join Srikandi.

If you are interested in learning more about the legal issues of buying property in a mixed marriage ... Srikandi has compiled 1 31-page booklet entitled Pemilikan Tanah Dalam Perkawinan Campuran di Indonesia. It is available (in Bahasa Indonesia) for Rp 50,000. Contact Srikandi for more information.

Updated on 9/5/2009

Copyright © 1997-2012, Expat Web Site Association Jakarta, Indonesia http://www.expat.or.id All rights reserved. The information on Living in Indonesia, A Site for Expatriates may not be retransmitted or reproduced in any form without permission. This information has been compiled from sources which we, the Expat Web Site Association and volunteers related to this site, believe to be reliable. While reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the facts are accurate and up-to-date, opinions and commentary are fair and reasonable, we accept no responsibility for them. The information contained does not make any recommendation upon which you can rely without further personal consideration and is not an offer or a solicitation to buy any products or services from us. Opinions and statements constitute the judgment of the contributors to this web site at the time the information was written and may change without notice.