Miss Guidora Julianta Kopong1
1University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Guidora Kopong is a PhD student at the School of Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland. Her research interests are in kinship and gender justice in the border of Indonesia and Timor Leste
Abstract:
To gain an understanding of feminist issues in development studies, it is essential to have both an interest in and a depth of knowledge about the diversity of women's issues and experiences. A perspective that is frequently overlooked is women's experiences within the context of kinship systems. A combination of practices and patriarchal structures has resulted in kinship exerting a significant influence on the social, political, and economic roles of women. This study examines the fundamental principles of gender justice, namely redistribution, recognition, and representation in Malaka, a matrilineal society in West Timor, Indonesia, situated on the border of Timor-Leste and Indonesia. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether the legacy of matriliny provides women with equal access to, and distribution of, resources, as well as social, political, and economic opportunities. The study, which employed semi-structured interviews and observations, indicates a discrepancy between the economic power and political roles of women. The assumption that strong economic power may extend to political power at the village or local representative level is not applicable in Malaka due to the dominance of uncles and a strict division between inheritance and leadership. Nevertheless, women's strong economic position provides financial stability and protection from the consequences of violence against women. The legacy of matriliny undoubtedly strengthens women's economic position however its influence on political participation remains low.