Mrs. Zeiniye
“Women should never be afraid to join politics. Thinking that politics is dirty is only generalizing it; these reflections on politics are mostly by those who do it without manner and without their heart. Politics is about helping people, about sharpening your thoughts, minds and work, and of course building your independence.” - Mrs. Zeiniye
iKNOW Politics: Situbondo is known as a religious region, that is a traditional Muslim community. While in most countries, women are still struggling to be involved in politics, you managed to overcome all these obstacles and surprisingly came up heading the local council of Situbondo. What challenges have you faced to be the Head of Local Council? Could you tell me a bit about how you became the Head of Local Council?
I completed my candidacy before I was elected to be the member of local council. I was very confident that as a woman, I have the same capacity and capability to lead as the men have for years. In fact, I believe that women are great leaders too. So, in short, my experience began with my first election back in 2004.
Fortunately, my political party won the largest number of votes and elected 11 members in Situbondo Local Council. Our rules for deciding the Head of Local Council are that a member from the winning party will earn the position. I easily received the necessary votes to be nominated from my party, who knew my capabilities. When they submitted my nomination to the Council members, I won the position without too much effort or resistance.
iKNOW Politics: What made you decided to join your party and be the candidate of Local Council member in Situbondo?
I worked in the government service before joining politics. Every time we had a Musyawarah Rencana Pembangunan Desa (Public’s Meeting on Development Planning at the village level), I saw that very few women attended this very important meeting. I always consider that this public village meeting is a venue where interests and ideas are expressed on how development programs should take place in the community, and what sort of programs could benefit community members. Situbondo is the third poorest region in East Java Province and many programs in the region are not in favor of women’s interests. I believe that women know better than men in seeing how development initiatives should be prioritized. Unfortunately, many women are not as interested in this area as they should be. Therefore, when I wanted to join my political party, I talked to my husband and family so that I could have their blessings if I joined politics. Being a member of local council gives you this great opportunity to make a difference, especially for women and what they really need to do. Take for instance, if you are given list of development programs to be undertaken in your region, women should speak up more about any programs that would most benefit their children.
iKNOW Politics: What do you do to manage yourself to this position? What advice do you have for other women who want to have position that you have?
Yes, it was not easy even for me to further advance in politics. But during the last 5 years, Situbondo witnessed that the wife of a Islamic ulema started activities proven to give better service to not only women, but also for all the people in her life. I have been actively involved in a women’s organization called Fatayat NU (Islamic Women organization – known as the second largest in the country), which gave me an opportunity to meet many Islamic leaders.
I had to approach all the Islamic leaders in the region; I met with them and did whatever I could to convince them of what I was going to fight for in the local council. I made many visits to the ulema communities, introducing myself and asked for their support and blessing to take my positions and ideas to the local council. Fortunately, my active involvement in Fatayat NU helped me a lot in achieving this.
iKNOW Politics: In Indonesia, although women have no limitation in accomplishing their activities, it still seems as though they are limited due to their family’s perspectives in a women’s role in politics. How did you manage to go this far and what do you think women should do about this?
Yes, I grew up in a conservative and traditional Moslem family, and we value our belief in religion by doing good for others. So, in fact, I have been embraced by a very good and democratic family, who supports me all the time, even when I talked to my family about entering politics. Thank God even after I failed during my first campaign in 2004 because of the system of position ranking, my family still supported me when I ran my second campaign for local council.
I agree with you that family is a top priority, but I feel very lucky to have a supportive family and husband, and that I have come this far. So, my message to other women is that we have to be smart in choosing our own decisions in our lives. I do believe that doing good for other people is also encouraged by our belief, and our religion.
iKNOW Politics: What would be you your greatest accomplishment during your time in your local council?
I think my greatest accomplishment is working to get what I believe in. When it first came to my attention that women were not involved in the development process in our community, I knew I was going to do a lot more in this area than what I had initially thought. I am inspired to bring more attention to women’s interests, as their interests are always about their families For example, poverty is one big issue that could limit women in taking care of their family members.
For me, it is very important for women to take a leadership position. Women know and better understand social problems. Women have the hearts to empathize with those in need, and are also flexible in negotiation and persuasion. I do believe that women are able to succeed in politics than previously thought.
iKNOW Politics: How do you work with your male colleagues in local council and government?
I think women can do more to work with male colleagues. We can say anything we think that it is important politely and convincingly to men, and we shall not be troubled by any action to undermine our capacities. We need to just focus on what we are trying to reach.
iKNOW Politics: What would be your one piece of advice to women in general, especially when they want to enter politics?
Women should never be afraid to join politics. Thinking that politics is dirty is only generalizing it; these reflections on politics are mostly by those who do it without manner and without their heart. Politics is about helping people, about sharpening your thoughts, minds and work, and of course building your independence.
“Women should never be afraid to join politics. Thinking that politics is dirty is only generalizing it; these reflections on politics are mostly by those who do it without manner and without their heart. Politics is about helping people, about sharpening your thoughts, minds and work, and of course building your independence.” - Mrs. Zeiniye
iKNOW Politics: Situbondo is known as a religious region, that is a traditional Muslim community. While in most countries, women are still struggling to be involved in politics, you managed to overcome all these obstacles and surprisingly came up heading the local council of Situbondo. What challenges have you faced to be the Head of Local Council? Could you tell me a bit about how you became the Head of Local Council?
I completed my candidacy before I was elected to be the member of local council. I was very confident that as a woman, I have the same capacity and capability to lead as the men have for years. In fact, I believe that women are great leaders too. So, in short, my experience began with my first election back in 2004.
Fortunately, my political party won the largest number of votes and elected 11 members in Situbondo Local Council. Our rules for deciding the Head of Local Council are that a member from the winning party will earn the position. I easily received the necessary votes to be nominated from my party, who knew my capabilities. When they submitted my nomination to the Council members, I won the position without too much effort or resistance.
iKNOW Politics: What made you decided to join your party and be the candidate of Local Council member in Situbondo?
I worked in the government service before joining politics. Every time we had a Musyawarah Rencana Pembangunan Desa (Public’s Meeting on Development Planning at the village level), I saw that very few women attended this very important meeting. I always consider that this public village meeting is a venue where interests and ideas are expressed on how development programs should take place in the community, and what sort of programs could benefit community members. Situbondo is the third poorest region in East Java Province and many programs in the region are not in favor of women’s interests. I believe that women know better than men in seeing how development initiatives should be prioritized. Unfortunately, many women are not as interested in this area as they should be. Therefore, when I wanted to join my political party, I talked to my husband and family so that I could have their blessings if I joined politics. Being a member of local council gives you this great opportunity to make a difference, especially for women and what they really need to do. Take for instance, if you are given list of development programs to be undertaken in your region, women should speak up more about any programs that would most benefit their children.
iKNOW Politics: What do you do to manage yourself to this position? What advice do you have for other women who want to have position that you have?
Yes, it was not easy even for me to further advance in politics. But during the last 5 years, Situbondo witnessed that the wife of a Islamic ulema started activities proven to give better service to not only women, but also for all the people in her life. I have been actively involved in a women’s organization called Fatayat NU (Islamic Women organization – known as the second largest in the country), which gave me an opportunity to meet many Islamic leaders.
I had to approach all the Islamic leaders in the region; I met with them and did whatever I could to convince them of what I was going to fight for in the local council. I made many visits to the ulema communities, introducing myself and asked for their support and blessing to take my positions and ideas to the local council. Fortunately, my active involvement in Fatayat NU helped me a lot in achieving this.
iKNOW Politics: In Indonesia, although women have no limitation in accomplishing their activities, it still seems as though they are limited due to their family’s perspectives in a women’s role in politics. How did you manage to go this far and what do you think women should do about this?
Yes, I grew up in a conservative and traditional Moslem family, and we value our belief in religion by doing good for others. So, in fact, I have been embraced by a very good and democratic family, who supports me all the time, even when I talked to my family about entering politics. Thank God even after I failed during my first campaign in 2004 because of the system of position ranking, my family still supported me when I ran my second campaign for local council.
I agree with you that family is a top priority, but I feel very lucky to have a supportive family and husband, and that I have come this far. So, my message to other women is that we have to be smart in choosing our own decisions in our lives. I do believe that doing good for other people is also encouraged by our belief, and our religion.
iKNOW Politics: What would be you your greatest accomplishment during your time in your local council?
I think my greatest accomplishment is working to get what I believe in. When it first came to my attention that women were not involved in the development process in our community, I knew I was going to do a lot more in this area than what I had initially thought. I am inspired to bring more attention to women’s interests, as their interests are always about their families For example, poverty is one big issue that could limit women in taking care of their family members.
For me, it is very important for women to take a leadership position. Women know and better understand social problems. Women have the hearts to empathize with those in need, and are also flexible in negotiation and persuasion. I do believe that women are able to succeed in politics than previously thought.
iKNOW Politics: How do you work with your male colleagues in local council and government?
I think women can do more to work with male colleagues. We can say anything we think that it is important politely and convincingly to men, and we shall not be troubled by any action to undermine our capacities. We need to just focus on what we are trying to reach.
iKNOW Politics: What would be your one piece of advice to women in general, especially when they want to enter politics?
Women should never be afraid to join politics. Thinking that politics is dirty is only generalizing it; these reflections on politics are mostly by those who do it without manner and without their heart. Politics is about helping people, about sharpening your thoughts, minds and work, and of course building your independence.
