Message for the International Women's Day from DitaSari in Women's Prison, Jakarta Dear Sisters, This is the third time I write down to you from the prison cell where I remain now. Three years have suddenly passed, and surely many changes have taken place. Even though the form and method of our struggle will also change, but I'm completely sure we still keep the same high spirit alive in our heart. And, in this historical event, I would like to share with all my sisters around the world, who will always in search of freedom and justice for the oppressed groups in their society. My country, as you may know, is going through a hard and deep crisis. The distressed economy has affected, not only families in the city, but also millions of children, women and men in the rural area. Millions of workers lost their jobs. Almost twenty percent of Indonesian children have dropped out of school. To make it less comfortable, the prices of basic commodities have increased day by day. I read and listened about all the suffers behind the prison wall. I read about riots, killings and criminal actions. I read also about the political dynamic which is getting intensified; to see hundreds of political parties announced every week as well as their statements, press release and meetings in the newspapers. Now, in this kind situation, how is the women's position and what role they can play in responding this age in motion in my country? For years we have tried to open the door that leads to a more democratic state. For years we fight for better wages and respect for the political rights of the working people. For years also we've lived in terror, fear and under the traumatic shadow of violence. And now the door is finally open; this is not just a gift from heaven, this is the gift of one long struggle and sacrifice. In my cell, I often think about the women workers of my union. I finally realize that this is the time for Indonesian women to take up every space and opportunity that comes out during the democratic process. Every chance that is produced by our historical fight, must be fulfilled by women. We need lots of strenght and power to overcome the crisis and I believe women should be the main part of this strength, play a decisive roles in political field and start to take the leadership in every sector they are involved in. Democracy without the equal treatment between both sexes only means democracy in appearance. And this equal treatment is also a gift of a continous and uninterrupted fight against all kinds of discrimination around us. Now, the women will have to chose, whether to become a victim or a fighter. Sisters, Three years in the prison has made me learn my lesson well. In the middle of various political issues, women's prison seems to be a silence community. It is not isolated from the world but it's also not completely being a part of her surroundings. But still, messages of solidarity that have been sent to me from many parts of the world, reach my cell. It feels like every time a letter of solidarity arrives, the rose in my cell blossoms. This is a very warm feeling. That is why I would like to share it with you, through this letter. I wish I could be there, like I was four years ago. I miss you all. I miss being in the rally with sisters in Perth and Sydney. Thank you for all the solidarity you have given to me. Hope to see you in the next better time. Love, Ditasari's signature the chairperson of PPBI' union. ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR (ASIET) P.O. BOX 458, BROADWAY NSW 2007, AUSTRALIA. Telephone: 61-(0)2-96901230 Fax: 61-(0)2-96901381 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Webpage: http://www.peg.apc.org/~asiet Free all kidnap victims of the military! No more military in politics! Bring to justice all New Order violators of human rights! Free Xanana Gusmao! Free Budiman Sujatmiko! Free Dita Sari! Free all political prisoners in Indonesia and East Timor! Unban the books of Pramoedya Ananta Toer! Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
