Alya Sabira’s Incredible Story of Advocating for Gender Equality: From Caring to Empowering

Alya Sabira, Gender Youth Activist for UN Women Indonesia

Feminist Society Indonesia — Witnessing the heartbreaking reality where many girls in her society became victims of sexual violence, forced early marriages, and could not go to school due to the culture that prevents them to get higher education has motivated Alya Sabira — a UN Women national gender youth activist, to become concerned about advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

Apart from becoming a gender youth activist for UN Women Indonesia, she is also the founder of a youth movement called Speak Out Youth (SOY).

Her activism on gender equality issues began when she was 14 years old. At that time, she was joining a program under Plan International Indonesia called Forum Anak Desa. Through this program, she had many opportunities to learn and improve her activism. She attended seminars with people in the community (Sukabumi), talked to stakeholders, attended Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Daerah (RPJMD) meetings, and worked with many government agencies.

As a young woman who participated in that program, she faced so many challenges while advocating those issues, one of which was gender inequality, where she used to be underestimated because she is a woman. So, when she had the chance to do advocacy, she would do her best and give her participation meaningfully instead of being present as a decoration. At the end of the program, she was able to advocate for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prevent child marriage to the city Mayor of Sukabumi.

When the program of Forum Anak Desa ended, she thought that her advocacy should not stop; she still needed to do something. As a result, in 2021, she asked some of her classmates to establish Speak Out Youth (SOY) by starting a campaign on Instagram regarding “Stop Sexual Violence”. As the days went by, it became a bigger platform for people. It was started in Sukabumi, and now they have SOY Bandung and SOY Jakarta. They currently have around 500 volunteers and have contributed many impactful programs to their surroundings.

At SOY, they have 3 missions that they call 3 As (Awareness, Action, Advocacy). In terms of awareness, they want to set SOY as a medium where everyone can raise their awareness about any kind of issues in their surroundings and try to overcome them. In terms of Action, it is a manifestation of the awareness they have by starting to do small things such as making campaigns and seeking funding. Through this, they are able to gain a lot of funding from different organizations, foreign aid, and from government agencies. They currently have their regular donors from outside of the country, such as Europe, America, Australia, etc. After having awareness and action, they have to do something bigger as the commitment of advocacy, such as challenging the status quo and dealing with the stakeholders in the decision-making process.

With the intention to make her advocacy bigger, she decided to apply for the UN Women national gender youth activist in 2024. She ultimately got selected as one of the sixth national youth activists, where each of the activists was placed in a different kind of sector. She was placed under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) sector, where she is responsible for advocating for young women on various issues such as climate change, humanitarian issues, and everything that comes to women’s security.

You can also read: Ikrar’s Inspirational Story: Making Impacts through Education

Working with the UN Women Indonesia, she feels that her voice is heard as well as feels fully involved. In 2024, she helped the UN Women Indonesia to co-organize the discussion for the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA+30), which was going to be a recommendation for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). She was fully involved from the beginning to the end of the program; she made the presentation, she invited the young people, and she even participated in the selection process.

She felt that this opportunity was something bigger for her advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights issues, as the recommendation about BPfA+30 would be brought to the regional review, and from that, it would be brought to CSW.

Alya is a true portrayal of a young woman who cares about her neighborhood and tries to take action to empower society, especially women. She recognizes that young people really come into play in being part of the advocacy and activism, even if it is just a small thing, such as telling friends about the importance of gender equality or simply raising awareness about what is happening in the community.

She believes that advocacy and activism are not always about going to the streets and protesting. Sometimes, we can do advocacy by starting with the things that we are passionate about. For instance, if we want to advocate for the environmental issues and we love music, we can write songs about helping the planet; if we are advocating for gender equality and we have an interest in movie, we can make a short movie about gender equality; or if we love social media, love making content, we can also do advocacy by making content and share in our social media.

However, she also realizes that advocacy is a long journey; hence, it could be better for us to find our ally when doing advocacy. By having partners, it can be much easier for us to make movements in our surroundings since we have them to collaborate together.

Alya will always stand up for gender equality and fight for women’s rights since women are not safe. Their rights are highly vulnerable to being neglected. She hopes there will be more people who are aware of gender equality and women’s rights, as it is one of the critical targets in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Indonesia should achieve in 2030.

Feminist Society Indonesia and Speak Out Youth also have the same deal regarding advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights issues. In the future, we would like to collaborate if there is a program that allows for collaboration. We believe that collaboration and synergy are the keys to achieve our goals in advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

You can contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

LinkedIn               : Feminist Society Indonesia

Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

International Women’s Day 2025

 Dave P. Manalu

International Women's Day 2025

Feminist Society Indonesia — As we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, we honor the trailblazing women who paved the way for future generations. We recognize the progress made towards achieving gender equality while also acknowledging the significant work still to be done.

The theme of International Women's Day 2025 is "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”. This theme serves as a poignant reminder that women's empowerment is not only a matter of social justice but also a catalyst for global transformation.

A Legacy of Courage and Resilience

Throughout history, women have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity. From suffragettes fighting for the right to vote to civil rights activists advocating for racial equality, women have played a pivotal role in shaping the course of human history.

Today, we draw inspiration from women like Malala Yousafzai, who defied the Taliban to advocate for girls' education, and Tarana Burke, who founded the #MeToo movement to combat sexual harassment and assault. Their bravery and determination serve as a testament to the transformative power of women's leadership.

The Unfinished Agenda of Gender Equality

Despite the progress made, significant challenges persist in achieving gender equality. Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare. They are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and climate change.

The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2023 reveals that it will take approximately 132 years to achieve full gender parity at the current rate of progress. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for accelerated action to address the unfinished agenda of gender equality.

Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity

So, what can we do to empower women and, in turn, empower humanity? Here are a few strategies:

1.       Promote Education and Economic Empowerment: Invest in girls' education and provide women with access to economic opportunities, including entrepreneurship training and financial resources.

2.       Address Violence Against Women: Implement policies and programs to prevent and respond to violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

3.       Advance Women's Leadership: Support women's leadership development and promote their representation in decision-making positions across all sectors.

4.       Foster a Culture of Inclusion: Encourage a culture of inclusion that values diversity, promotes equality, and challenges discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.

Conclusion

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of gender equality and women's empowerment. Let us honor the women who have paved the way for us and inspire future generations to continue the fight for a more just and equitable world.

By empowering women, we empower humanity. We unlock the potential for a brighter, more prosperous future – a future where all individuals can thrive and reach their full potential.

Together, let us create a world where women and girls are valued, respected, and empowered to shape their own destinies.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussions about feminism, let's join with Feminist Society Indonesia. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in gender equality and women’s rights through education and advocacy. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

LinkedIn               : Feminist Society Indonesia

Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

Gender Bias in AI: Mitigating Strategies

 Zulkhadir Riandi

Feminist Society - Today, the course of life in the era of the 5.0 industrial revolution has brought increasingly heavy digital and technological developments, in which digital and technological advances continue to evolve. One of the connections is with the existence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that continues to advance and evolve throughout all lines of human life. Where today, almost anything in the digital world can be run easily with the help of AI.

On the one hand, AI has a positive impact because it can make it easier for us where AI can generate whatever we order based on clear and specific prompts. But on the other hand, AI actually has a negative side, where AI tends to be gender-biased. For example, AI or other search engine mechanisms tends to generate or deliver results with a majority of men in jobs such as doctors and women in nurses. Another example can be seen when we carry out searches related to everything related to childcare, which is always associated with the mother, as if it were only the role of the mother, whereas childcare is the responsibility of both parents (mother and father).

You can also Read: The Importance of Paternity Leave in Promoting Gender Equality and Family Well-Being

AI systems are biased because they are human creations. Who makes decisions informing AI systems and who is on the team developing AI systems shapes their development. Unsurprisingly, there is a huge gender gap: Only 22 percent of professionals in AI and data science fields are women—and they are more likely to occupy jobs associated with less status. In terms of gender bias from data, data points are snapshots of the world we live in, and the large gender data gaps we see are partly due to the gender digital divide. For example, some 300 million fewer women than men access the Internet on a mobile phone, and women in low- and middle-income countries are 20 percent less likely than men to own a smartphone. These technologies generate data about their users, so the fact that women have less access to them inherently skews datasets. Even when data is generated, humans collecting data decide what to collect and how.

How to Mitigate Gender Bias in AI?

Mitigating gender bias in AI algorithms is crucial for creating fair and equitable systems. Here are some strategies:

1.       Diverse Data Collection

Gathering diverse and representative data during model training will have direct implications in overcoming gender bias in AI. Therefore, we have to ensure that the dataset includes various gender identities, backgrounds, and experiences.

2.       Bias Detection and Audits

Regularly audit AI models for bias. Identify discriminatory patterns and adjust the algorithms accordingly. Tools like fairness metrics and adversarial testing can help. This mechanism is of paramount importance to persistently prevent gender bias in AI systems.

3.       Feature Engineering

Be mindful of features that might introduce bias. Remove or adjust features related to gender, race, or other sensitive attributes. Thereby, the full awareness of the technicians and all parties involved in the creation of AI systems is really needed.

4.       Balanced Representation

Oversample underrepresented groups to balance the dataset. This helps prevent the majority group from dominating the model’s predictions. The more representative of gender participation in creating AI systems is, the better AI systems will be.

5.       Ethical Guidelines

Develop clear guidelines for AI development that address bias. Involve ethicists, social scientists, and affected communities in the process. By making good guidelines for AI creation, it will drive a better procedure that takes into consideration gender equality.

Remember that bias elimination is an ongoing effort. By combining technical solutions with ethical considerations, we can create AI systems that treat everyone fairly.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let's join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in gender equality and women’s rights through education and advocacy. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

Email                  : fem.official7@gmail.com

View more:

Ayesha Nadeem et al. Gender Bias in AI: A Review of Contributing Factors and Mitigating Strategies. AIS Electronic Library. (2020). https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2020/27/

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/when_good_algorithms_go_sexist_why_and_how_to_advance_ai_gender_equity

https://analyticsindiamag.com/understanding-ai-biases-and-ways-to-fix-them/

 

The Importance of Paternity Leave in Promoting Gender Equality and Family Well-Being

Juneidi Coloay

Feminist Society - The issues about paternity leave have been widely discussed in Indonesia since the Draft Law on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First 1000 Days of Life was passed by the House of Representatives on June 4^th, 2024. In this Law, the fathers and families must accompany the mothers during the birthing process, therefore they have paternity leave rights as an effort to ensure the welfare of mothers and children in the first 1000 days and as a form of comprehensive child care between both parents. However, the paternity leave rights in the Law are regarded as suboptimal because the leave rights are more dominant in mothers than fathers. Thereby, it should be examined more deeply by the government with the involvement of all parties in order to be able to place an equality perspective in child care.

Paternity leave is a crucial policy that supports gender equality, strengthens family bonds, and promotes a more balanced division of childcare responsibilities. By allowing fathers to take time off work following the birth or adoption of a child, paternity leave encourages active fatherhood and helps dismantle traditional gender roles that often place the burden of child-rearing solely on mothers.

The benefits of paternity leave extend beyond the immediate family unit. It contributes to closing the gender gap in the workplace by normalizing the idea that both parents are equally responsible for childcare. This shift in perception can lead to more equitable career opportunities for women, as employers become less likely to discriminate based on potential maternity leave.

Moreover, paternity leave has been linked to positive outcomes for children’s development. Fathers who take paternity leave are more involved in their children’s lives, leading to better cognitive and social outcomes. This early involvement can foster stronger father-child relationships that last a lifetime.

Paternity leave is not just a period away from work; it’s an investment in family health, workplace equality, and societal progress. As such, it is essential for governments and employers to support and promote paternity leave policies that reflect the evolving dynamics of modern families.

However, it always faces difficulty these days to promote and normalize paternity leave in every field. There are several challenges that countries often face in implementing paternity leave.

1.       Legal Compliance

Ensuring businesses are ready for changes in paternity leave entitlements and comply with new regulations.

2.       Cultural Shifts

Overcoming traditional gender roles and encouraging fathers to take advantage of paternity leave benefits.

3.       Economic Considerations

Balancing the cost of providing paternity leave with the economic benefits it can bring to families and society.

4.       Workplace Integration

Adapting workplace policies to accommodate flexible paternity leave and support for returning employees.

Those challenges require a concerted effort from governments, employers, and society to create an environment where paternity leave is valued and supported. In addition, public awareness plays a significant role in promoting paternity leave uptake. By raising awareness about the benefits of paternity leave for children’s development, family well-being, and gender equality, society can shift towards more supportive attitudes for fathers taking leave.

Awareness campaigns can help dispel myths and stigmas associated with men taking time off for childcare, encouraging more fathers to take advantage of paternity leave policies. Additionally, public discourse on the topic can influence policy-making, leading to more favorable conditions for paternity leave uptake.

Educational initiatives and media coverage can also highlight successful stories of paternity leave, providing positive role models and demonstrating the practicality and benefits of such policies in real-life scenarios.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let’s join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in gender equality and women’s rights through education and advocacy. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

Email                   : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

https://www.lewissilkin.com/en/insights/statutory-paternity-leave-new-rules-from-april

https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/hr-policies-effective-6-april-2024

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/statutory-paternity-leave-changes-april-2024/

https://www.thehrdirector.com/legal-updates/legal-updates-2024/latest-paternity-leave-regulations/

https://arbor.law/insights/paternity-and-maternity-leave-entitlements-2024/

https://www.hrlab.de/en/hr-lexicon/paternity-leave-2024

https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2024/06/14/paternity-leave-gaining-momentum-in-the-modern-workplace-to-drive-business-performance/

https://www.brabners.com/insights/employment/changes-to-paternity-leave-redundancy-protection-flexible-working-and-carers-leave-explained

https://harperjames.co.uk/article/changes-to-statutory-paternity-leave/

https://appartnership.co.uk/statutory-paternity-leave-changes-2024/

 

Gender Perspectives in Public Facilities Play An Important Role in Supporting Gender Equality

 Juneidi Coloay

Feminist Society – In the quest for gender equality, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the design and management of public facilities. A gender perspective in public facilities is not just about providing separate restrooms or changing rooms for different genders. It is about understanding and addressing the unique needs and experiences of all genders in the use of these facilities. Thereby, gender perspectives in public facilities come into play in supporting gender equality.

Understanding Gender Perspective

A gender perspective involves recognizing that men, women, and non-binary individuals may have different needs and experiences when it comes to public facilities. This could be due to biological differences, societal norms, or personal preferences. For instance, women may require sanitary bins in restrooms, parents may need changing tables for babies, and individuals with disabilities may need facilities that are accessible and easy to use.

Why is it Important?

Incorporating a gender perspective in public facilities is crucial for several reasons:

1.       Promotes Equality and Inclusion

By considering the unique needs of all genders, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to and can equally benefit from public facilities. If we take it into the Indonesian context, this also means that we have been running equality before the law principle that is enshrined in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. This is a fundamental aspect of social inclusion and gender equality.

2.       Enhances Safety and Comfort

Gender-sensitive facilities can enhance the safety and comfort of users. When there are special public facilities that are provided for specific purposes based on gender considerations, it can make people feel secure and comfortable. For example, well-lit and regularly maintained restrooms can help reduce the risk of harassment or violence.

3.       Reflects Diversity and Respect

A gender perspective in public facilities sends a powerful message that our society recognizes and respects diversity. It shows that we care about the needs and experiences of all members of our community.

In essence, according to the aforementioned reasons, incorporating a gender perspective in the design and management of public facilities is not just a matter of fairness or equality. It’s about creating spaces that are safe, comfortable, and accessible for everyone. As we continue to strive for gender equality, let’s not forget the important role that our public facilities play in this endeavor.

Remember, equality is not just about treating everyone the same; it’s about acknowledging our differences and ensuring that these differences do not become barriers to access and opportunity.

What Factors Should We Consider to Encourage Gender Perspective in Public Spaces?

Encouraging public spaces to adopt a gender perspective can be achieved through several strategies:

1.       Awareness and Education

The first step is to raise awareness about the importance of a gender perspective in public facilities. This could be done through campaigns, workshops, and seminars that highlight the benefits of gender-sensitive design. This also could be done by utilizing a digital platform to educate, advocate, socialize, and speak out loud regarding the importance of gender perspective in public facilities. Moreover, in today’s digital era, there are so many digital platforms that focus on gender equality issues. Feminist Society is one of the examples.

2.       Policy and Legislation

Governments can play a crucial role by implementing policies and regulations that mandate the consideration of gender perspectives in the design and management of public facilities. In Indonesia, the urban planning policies are relied on respective local governments. However, the problem is that Indonesia is an archipelago state where there are so many disparities among the cities. Therefore, we should strive to create development balance in every city.

3.       Funding and Resources

Provide funding and resources for the implementation of gender-sensitive designs in public facilities. This could be in the form of grants, incentives, or technical assistance.

4.       Partnerships

Collaborate with NGOs, community organizations, and private sector companies that are committed to promoting gender equality. These partnerships can help amplify efforts and reach a wider audience.

Remember, change often takes time and persistence. But with concerted effort and commitment, we can create public spaces that are inclusive, safe, and accessible for everyone.

If you are interested in issues related to gender equality and in-depth discussion about feminism, let’s join with Feminist Society. Feminist Society aims to promote progress in three key aspects of gender equality and women’s rights activism: Law, Policy, and Advocacy through the provision of digital-based information. To get related articles, please visit the page feminist-society.blogspot.com.

You can also contact us on:

Instagram            : @feministsociety.id

Email                     : fem.official7@gmail.com

View More:

Samuel Dubin., et al. Public Restrooms in Neighborhoods and Public Spaces: a Qualitative Study of Transgender and Nonbinary Adults in New York City. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. Volume 18. Number 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00504-3.

Miaojing Wei. Boundaries of Transgender Access to Public Facilities in the United States. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology. Volume 5. Number 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2023.050113.

Michelle Amri. Equity and gender mainstreaming in public policy: A scoping review protocol. PLOS One. Volume 19. Number 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299124.

https://items.ssrc.org/just-environments/public-spaces-private-acts-toilets-and-gender-equality/

https://socialprotection-humanrights.org/framework/principles/gender-perspective/