Gender Discrimination and Stereotypes in Indonesia's Modern Society

Currently, Indonesia is facing many serious problems in various fields. There are numerous issues in society that we, as individuals living in this country, should be aware of. One of the most persistent and significant issues is the discrimination and stereotyping of gender, an issue that has been ongoing for an extended period. Indonesia faces several serious social challenges, and one of the most prominent issues persisting to this day is related to gender discrimination.

Gender discrimination occurs when a person is treated unequally or unfairly based on their gender identity. Sexism exacerbates gender discrimination by fostering biased attitudes and actions rooted in a person's sex or gender. The primary cause of this problem lies in the lack of knowledge within society, particularly among children and teenagers, about the concept of gender equality. This lack of awareness results in discrimination against a specific gender, with women experiencing a higher rate of such discrimination.

Gender stereotypes involve generalised perspectives or preconceived ideas about the attributes, characteristics, or roles associated with men and women. A gender stereotype becomes harmful when it restricts the abilities and choices of women and men in developing their talents, pursuing careers, and making life decisions. 

For example, society often assumes that women are weak and must be protected from all threats of violence, limiting the space for women to express themselves. Men are often taught that handling issues with violence is a sign of strength, and feeling emotional is a sign of weakness.

Various forms of gender discrimination and stereotyping persist to this day. One such form is marginalisation, where a certain gender lacks access to and control over resources, leading to poverty. Some jobs and workplaces discriminate by providing lower wages to women compared to male employees. 

Another form is the double burden, where one gender receives a greater workload than the other. Women are often expected to balance maintaining their households and working for extended hours, with some receiving lower wages. Additionally, violence, both physical and verbal, can be perpetrated by one gender against another, with the stereotype of men being strong and women being weak contributing to females being the primary targets.

Problems regarding gender discrimination and stereotypes are still prevalent issues in Indonesia. Discrimination and stereotypes targeted against women are commonly found in almost any time, space, and place. 

In political or organisational spaces, gaining and earning a higher position as a woman could be challenging, as many Indonesians still believe that men are more logical while women are more emotional, hence creating assumptions that women could not lead and make decisions as effectively as men. In reality, many women are as capable as men in leading, decision-making, and many other abilities as well, or sometimes can be even better than some men.

Discrimination against women is often found on Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and various other social media platforms through shared content and comments. Women are frequently objectified as sexual objects, as if they are not real people with feelings. The objectification of women is pervasive. 

As technology continues to evolve, the sexualization and objectification of women seem to increase, especially in a generation where the use of AI (artificial intelligence) is prevalent and can cause harm in multiple ways, such as creating fake nude or pornographic content using innocent people's faces and identities with deepfake technology. 

In recent years, cases of creating fake images and videos using deepfakes to spread false rumours or narratives have become more frequent and are often used to threaten or blackmail people. 

Due to the rise of these situations, the government and the public in Indonesia must pay attention and be more aware of this serious issue and oppose the misuse of AI. Rules regarding the usage of AI should also be stricter and more restricted to prevent harm to more people in the future.

Another problem regarding discrimination is often found in universities, which are supposed to produce the future leaders of Indonesia. Cases of sexual harassment have become increasingly common in recent years, even though campuses are meant to be safe spaces for all students. Instances such as catcalling, verbal harassment, physical assault, and even rape have been reported on Indonesian campuses. University authorities often fail to address these issues adequately. 

According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2020, 77% of respondents from among the lecturers said that sexual violence had occurred on campus, and 60% of them did not report the incidents of sexual violence. Perpetrators frequently receive only light punishments, such as suspension for a single semester, or the cases are sometimes ignored altogether.

This problem must be addressed comprehensively, as it can cause long-term mental and physical harm to the victims. Perpetrators should face harsher punishments and be reported to the police for assault, as they are committing criminal acts.

Gender discrimination and stereotypes represent a critical social issue that demands our attention and action. Discrimination based on gender identity is a violation of human rights, and every individual deserves equal treatment. Harmful gender stereotypes can psychologically damage both men and women by imposing limiting societal expectations. 

It is crucial to challenge and dispel these false stereotypes, as they cause significant harm. Education, especially targeted toward children and teenagers, is the most effective way to raise awareness and combat this problem. By fostering a culture of equality and respect, we can work towards a more inclusive and fair society.

Gender discrimination and stereotyping are deeply entrenched issues in Indonesia, manifesting harmfully across various fields. A lack of societal awareness about gender equality exacerbates these problems, leading to biased attitudes and unfair treatment. Persistent stereotypes limit the potential of both men and women, creating unjust barriers and harmful behaviors. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all levels of society. 

Education, especially for children and teenagers, is crucial for fostering understanding and respect for gender equality. Stricter regulations must be implemented to combat the misuse of technologies like AI and deepfake, which exacerbate the objectification of women. 

Institutions, particularly universities, must take a firmer stance against sexual harassment, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable and victims are supported. By working together to eliminate gender discrimination and stereotypes, we can create a more just, equitable, and safe society in Indonesia.

References:

• Soken-Huberty, E. (2023, January 12). What is gender discrimination? Human Rights Careers. https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/what-is-gender-discrimination/ 

• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (n.d.). Gender stereotyping. https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/gender-stereotyping 

• Pambudi, M. H. (2024, February 8). Stop Kekerasan Seksual Di Lingkungan Kampus! Kementerian Sekretariat Negara RI. https://www.setneg.go.id/baca/index/stop_kekerasan_seksual_di_lingkungan_kampus