Lusi Margiyani

Lusi Margiyani is helping refocus the energies of Indonesia's women's rights movement on the socialization of young girls. Convinced that women are done irreparable damage at very early ages, she has begun working closely with families, schools, and religious centers to reverse damaging self-conceptions and empower young girls to take control of their lives.

Lusi is challenging women's secondary status in Indonesia through child-focused campaigns in the major social institutions- mosque, school, family and mass media. Until now the gender awareness initiatives in Indonesia have focussed upon the issues confronted by adult women as the victims of a repressive legal system, male domination, domestic violence, unfair labor practices, etc. In working with children, Lusi seeks to overcome these problems before they are manifested in society. In promoting gender sensitivity among children, she is changing the concept of women's rights and opportunities from a women's problem to a human problem.

Deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes pervade all levels of society in Indonesia influencing the government and its policies, social institutions such as the education system, religion and the family. These attitudes have been traditionally repressive for women. Educational opportunities among certain levels of society are limited for women, with job availability being even more so. When women do secure jobs, they are often paid less for comparable work or pressured to give up their careers when they marry. These attitudes have been systematically preserved and ingrained through the socialization of values and stereotypical male/female roles from the time of early childhood. Research indicates that girls are marginalized from an early age--by being told not to speak loudly, laugh aloud, climb, leave the house or even ask questions. Boys, on the other hand, are not even allowed in the kitchen in traditional Javanese culture.
Lack of gender awareness effects boys as well. Psychological studies have proven the damage that can be incurred when, for example, boys are not allowed to express their emotions or are encouraged to develop aggressive qualities while girls are encouraged to be passive and given limited choices for their futures.

After graduating from university, Lusi and two fellow activists set up LSPPA (Organization on the Study of Development in Women and Children) with two goals: to help set up income generating programs among poor women in rural regions and to implant a 'virus of awareness' among the urban middle class. Lusi has found that the most effective strategy to affect changes with regard to gender awareness is by working with the 'agents of change where children learn'. The main institutions of children's lives are school, family and religion, and Lusi is incredibly adept at finding entry points into each of these, none of which would normally be open to such progressive teaching.To reach schools, Lusi is publishing gender sensitive books and, under the guise of "library training" holds workshops with teachers to discuss the books' morals. She is also planning a media center for children and their families to learn through playing. Although many schools and families would not be interested in taking part in "gender sensitivity training", they readily accept invitations to attend performances, which in turn Lusi fills with relevant morals. In addition, the center is to have gender sensitive games and books and will sell T-shirts, bags and school supplies with empowering mottos.
She is also working through the Islam Centres to promote alternative, gender-sensitive interpretations of the Koran. Recently Lusi has begun to work through TPA (Taman Pendidikan Al'Quran), a national network of after school religious training centers with its central headquarters in Lusi's hometown of Kota Gede near Yogyakarta. Some Kyai (religious teachers) have been persuaded of the gender awareness and freedom to develop perspective Lusi promotes. Much criticism initially came from people who held that religious teachings made clear distinctions and role models for men and women. Through careful and systematic analysis and criticism of texts that interpret the original teachings, Lusi and her colleagues have been able to spread and win support for their ideas.
To reach a wider public, Lusi's organization is orchestrating mass media campaigns. They have printed booklets as source materials and they regularly run eye-catching public service announcements in the form of cartoons in local newspapers.
Lusi and LSPPA have held large-scale events during school holidays. Over 60 volunteers have been involved in these events which have included : workshops, discussions, children's drawing and writing competitions, camping, performances, etc. all carried out with a focus towards allowing children the freedom to develop their full potentials. The volunteers involved in such events then become cadres in the process of influencing social change.
Lusi's organization involves experts (including child psychologist, writers, and specialist in women's studies) who advise regarding programmatic goals and strategies. Through seminars, discussions, and training sessions, Lusi and her organization LSPPA approach these existing agents of change and help them develop a new perspective as well as new materials with which to work.
Overall, Lusi's goal is first to change societal attitudes in Yogyakarta, for people to become familiar with the terms of gender awareness, to question old concepts and be prepared with new ones. Her long-term aim is to achieve nationwide behavioral change -- a new egalitarian culture where girls are not limited in their development and opportunities.

Lusi's father encouraged her to stand up for her principles and defend herself against neighbourhood bullies when she was young. Her parents allowed her to join athletic competitions and ride her bicycle long distances to take part in swimming as a sport. Lusi has demonstrated her entrepreneurial skills from an early age. In high school she created the first Nature Lovers group, taking a leadership role in an activity not generally acceptable for girls. Later became a leader in the student press and a radio announcer. During her university days Lusi became a student activist and helped to establish, Vidya Dhari (meaning woman with knowledge, in Sanskrit), a group that discussed issues influencing women and children. This group acted as the embryo for the organization LSPPA.
Lusi and her husband are striving to raise their 3 children with freedom to grow and develop free from the stereotypical roles society tends to impose. She wants the girls to be valued, and to value themselves, not only for their looks but also for their minds (the first daughter is named Vidya Dhari), and her son, like her husband, is already happy to help in the kitchen.