Background

Indonesia is an archipelago composed of many different ethnic groups consisting of indigenous peoples. Data from BPS in 2012 shows that Indonesia has over 1.128 tribes. It is estimated that from 254,9 million lives in Indonesia as many as 70 million of them are Indigenous Peoples, with 49% of the Indigenous Peoples being Indigenous Women which is approximately 34,3 million lives in total (assumptions percentage taken from the average rate of the overall population of women population in Indonesia)

Indigenous women across the archipelago is still subject to various forms of exclusion and violence in the domestic sphere, the public and the government (see Tsing 1998, National Commission for Women 2013 & 2015). The existence of concessions in indigenous territory by the government resulted in destruction and shrinkage of living space and management areas of indigenous women. On the other hand, the political space-both in the scope of the community and for indigenous women to voice their interests-are still narrow and limited. The situation led to uprooting identities and knowledge of (as) indigenous women and the destruction of their body, their children and the souls who are yet to be born.

Addressing the systematic destruction, indigenous women refuse silence by showing their role and position as a fighter of social change. Indigenous women have long struggled against various forms of oppression, injustice, exploitation and deprivation of their rights-both as women and as indigenous women. This is the result of governance in global policies, national and local regulations and traditional values which are not in favor of indigenous women and the discrimination against them. Based on the sense of camaraderie and shared ideals, indigenous women gather and mobilize a formidable force together with PEREMPUAN AMAN to actualize the life of society that is equal, fair and sustainable.

Association of Indigenous Women of The Archipelago (PEREMPUAN AMAN) is a wing of Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) declared on April 16th 2012 in Tobelo, North Maluku. This organization was established based on the experience of indigenous women need a place to learn and consolidate themselves to be able to voice their own interests. In that context, PEREMPUAN AMAN was established to be able to facilitate indigenous women organized themselves, their knowledge and their rights. This organization consists of individuals of indigenous women from AMAN’s community members.

PEREMPUAN AMAN’s Vision:

“Indigenous Women are dignified over themselves, their life and their management area is in order to actualize Indigenous prosperity, sovereignty and dignity.”

PEREMPUAN AMAN’s Mission, namely:

Strengthen identity, self-confidence, pride and dignity of indigenous women.

Defend and fight for the recognition and respect of indigenous women, the protection and fulfillment of the rights of indigenous women, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against indigenous women.

Ensure the recognition of indigenous women’s knowledge and skills in the management of natural resources and other resources, as well as spiritual values ​​and culture.

Ensure the future generations continue the knowledge and skills of indigenous women.

Ensure equality and gender justice in the family, the community, AMAN, others wing organizations and autonomous bodies, as well as the State.

Build, develop and strengthen the cadre and leaders of indigenous women.

Ensure Gender Perspective on all level of the regulation to fulfillment of indigenous women’s rights.

PEREMPUAN AMAN’s Strategical Issues:

Capacity Building of indigenous women in various aspects such as politics, law, economics, and ecology in the domestic sphere, the public and the State.

Document the knowledge and experience of indigenous women

Policy advocacy for the rights of indigenous women.

Build and strengthen awareness of identity as women and indigenous women.

PEREMPUAN AMAN’s Board Period 2015-2020 consists of:
President: Devi Anggraini
Director of Programs and Information: Muntaza

National Council of PEREMPUAN AMAN namely:
Java: Mamik Yuniantri
Sumatra: Meiliana Yumi
Bali-Nusra: Rohani Inta Dewi
Kalimantan: Olvi Octaviana Tumbelaka (Chairman of the Board)
Sulawesi: Hj. Siti Johar