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Asia level workshop on Gender, Normative
and Non-Normative Sexualities,Sexual Economic Crisis to Impact Women's Lives in Asia
Rights and Women’s Empowerment.

"Other worlds are possible! Possible, possible!" – Kamla Bhasin.

Training Sexualities in the 21st Century,
April, Hanoi 2009 The 2nd all-Asia Conference Kartini Asia Network was officially opened yesterday by the Minister of
Women Empowerment of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. DR. Meuthia Hatta Swasono. The
Book Launching "Hasrat Ministry of Women Empowerment RI has been supporting Kartini Asia Network since 2003, since it
Perempuan" (Female Desires) was first inaugurated publicly.

The conference, taking the theme of ‘The Future of Asian Feminism Confronting Fundamentalism,
Conflicts and Neo-Liberalism ’ was opened with five keynote speeches last night and was attended
by participants mostly from all over Asia, with some participants came from the Australian and
Latest Articles
European continents. Most of the messages delivered were outlining the effects of world-wide
crisis to life and work of women. Prof. Meuthia, the Minister remarked that it is therefore important to
PRACTICING PLURALIST POLITICS:
create a new system to take the benefit of the power of globalization and to make them work for the
Implications on Feminist and LGBT
betterment of women.
Organizing

On the welcoming speech by the Co-coordinator Kartini Network on Women ’s and Gender Studies
State Of The Art Situation Of WSW In
in Asia, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, she was hoping that this conference will contribute to the aim
Relation To Health Risks And In Particular
of the KAN, to build women’s and gender programmes that are grounded in women ’s realities, as
HIV/AIDS Prevention
well as to stimulate gender and women ’s rights advocacy programmes fuelled by the latest
insights into women ’s and gender studies.
LGBT Identity, Violence, and Social Justice:
The Psychological is Political The Secretary of the Steering Committee and the Chair of the COT, Prof. DR. Saskia Wieringa,
introduced the themes and the foundation of KAN, as well as introducing the newly added Asian
Young Women ’s Leadership Forum, which is expected to bring new talent to women ’s /gender
studies and the movement.
Contact us
Like the first conference in December 2004, this time Kartini Asia Network (KAN) looks forward to
Kartini Asia Network Office exchanging views, information on five themes: women ’s studies, fundamentalisms, sexuality,
Jl. Melati Blok B No. 15 livelihood and conflict resolution, and sees these themes as interlinked. Kartini aims to strengthen
Rt 001/012, Mekarsari Permai, Cimanggis, south-south cooperation, including at the sub -regional level, building on the available regional
Depok 16952 expertise, both within academia, research institutes and gender-based NGO’s.
Indonesia
She stressed out that two major outcomes are expected from this conference:
Tel :+6221 9369 4912
Fax :+6221 871 5778 1. A rich exchange between women ’s/gender studies experts and advocates for gender justice. It is
suggested to always try taking into account these two aspects in the discussions:
Email:
• what is the relevance for women ’s /gender studies of this discussion
secretariat[AT]kartiniasia.org
• and in what way can it help us to design better policies

2. What is the lesson we can draw from this presentation or debate for the future of Asian feminism

Kamla Bhasin, from SANGAT South Asia, the last keynote speaker of the day, lifted up the
atmosphere by questioning TINA (There Is No Alternative) Syndrome where none has ever heard of
and shouting some of her own -invented-modified slogans. In her speech she expressed her wish
that India will be the land of the rising daughters. She reminded everyone that women ’s study is
just like a drop of water; it won’t mean anything unless all drops are put together and formed a well
of water. Neo-liberalism, to her, is the major threat in the world today.

Prof. DR. Najma Chowdhury, Professor Emeritus and UGC Rokeya Chair, Department of Women
and Gender Studies (DWGS), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, made her second presence after
the first conference in Dalian in 2004 and presented a message on Women ’s Studies: Some
Observations on Present State and Future Challenges read by Ayesha Banu of the same
department. She opened it by stating, that in her view, women ’s study, is built on the experimental
and philosophical bases of women ’s movement and feminist theorising. Furthermore she
explained that religious fundamentalism interprets women ’s role in society as marginal and
peripheral.

There is therefore a conflict in ideology between women’s study and fundamentalism catering on
how they view men.
Patriarchy and fundamentalism, if joined together in an alliance, she said, would spell disaster for
women and women ’s study. Future challenges to women ’s study might come from the religious
right or conservative forces.

Today, 10 papers will be presented in various panels; fundamentalism, sexuality, Youth

 Leadership Forum and women studies on the morning session followed by conflict & law,
sexuality, livelihood and fundamentalism on the afternoon session.

We hope you to enjoy the sessions today.

Putu Widyastuti Rudolf.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Film Screening 'Chants of Lotus'

Chants of Lotus (2008), will be screened today at 20:00 – 22:00.

Duration: 109 minutes

Producer: Nia Dinata

Synopsis:

Perempuan Punya Cerita (Chants of Lotus) done collectively by Nia Dinata, Upi, Fatimah Tobing,
and Lasja F. Susatyo was premiered on the closing of Jakarta Film Festival 2007.

The movie with the original title of Lotus Requiem was produced by Nia Dinata from Kalyana Shira
Foundation in conjuction with The Ford Foundation.

A collective project by the four directors is an omnibus movie, consisting of 4 short -stories of
various styles, inspired and put together by a premise: problems shadowing the life and daily life of
Indonesian women.

Using the philosophy of Lotus, which grew elegantly and full of dignity in the muddy surroundings
as the basic theme of the story, is a reflection of women characters in the movie, who always
respect their own value, even in the worst conditions.

A sharp and serious responses can be obtained through this film about the women ’s conditions in
Indonesia. And through the four stories, the directors and the screen-writers

(Vivian Idris dan Melissa Karim) wanted to show the audience, that women’s problems are much
more complicated than just melodrama shown on TVs.

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