Familienplanung in Indonesien: Staatliche Ideologie und die Rolle von Frauen in der Entwicklungsplanung

Abstract

Since the empowerment of the New Order regime in Indonesia in 1965, pembangunan (development) and kemajuan (progress) are the catch words of a new national development ideology. Women are given special attention in the country’s development process because they are regarded as the prime socializer of the family which is perceived as crucial to the government’s development process. It also gives women the responsibility for family planning to support the government’s development goals. This article deals with the unintended effects of governmental family planning. It argues that because of the option to modify the timing and number of pregnancies, women are able to control an important aspect of their life and to choose between alternatives. Furthermore, they take personal responsibility for changing their life instead of still relying on fate. Thus, women perceive themselves not only as housewives and mothers, but are demanding qualified jobs and more control over their own lives.