Ketika perempuan Indonesia dibahas di dalam Australi, biasanya orang-orang membayangkan wanita-wanita beragama Islam, yang memakai jilbab, berbicara dengan suara yang lembut, dan hidup dengan sikap taat. Benak, suara dan badan mereka terlihat sebagai hal yang kecil dan tanpa kemandirian.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah mengapa teman perempuan saya yang masih memakai jilbab di Australi. Jelaslah mengapa, walaupun dia mengalami rasisme dan pelecehan yang langsung, dia masih ingin membertahankan keyakinannya.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah mengapa teman perempuan saya masih memprotes terhadap aturan pemerintah nasional di atas kelompok minoritas dia. Jelaslah mengapa dia pindah ke Australi untuk belajar supaya dia dapat kembali ke kampungnya dan terus berjuang atas nama keluarganya.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah mengapa teman perempuan saya mengenyitkan dahi waktu dosen mengatakan bahwa homoseksualitas adalah penyakit yang harus disembuhkan, walaupun mahasiswa dilarang menyangsikan kewenangan.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah mengapa teman perempuan saya putus dari pacar dia setelah pacarnya memukuli dia. Jelaslah mengapa walaupun masayarakat menyatakan bahwa dia adalah wanita yang rusak, dia mengatahui bahwa itu salah.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah mengapa teman perempuan saya tidak perlu menikah walaupun orang tuanya merasa kecewa. Jelaslah mengapa dia berjuang terhadap stigma itu, karena dia mengatahui bahwa kemandirian ekonomi dan kesenangannya tidak bergantung dari suaminya.
Kalau situasi itu benar begitu, jelaslah bahwa saya masih belajar banyak dari wanita itu.
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When Indonesian women are discussed in Australia, people usually visualise Muslim women, who wear hijabs, speak with a soft voice, and live in obedience. Their minds, voices and bodies are seen as small and without autonomy.
If this situation is really true, explain why my friend still wears a hijab in Australia. Explain why, even though she experiences constant racism and harassment, she still wants to hold onto her beliefs.
If this situation is really true, explain why my friend still protests against the national government’s control over her minority group. Explain why she moved to Australia for her studies in order to return to her village and continue fighting on behalf of her family.
If this situation is really true, explain why my friend furrows her brow when her lecturer says that homosexuality is a sickness that has to be cured, even though university students are prohibited from questioning authority.
If this situation is really true, explain why my female friend left her boyfriend after he hit her. Explain why even though society claims that she is now a broken woman, she knows this is false.
If this situation is really true, explain why my female friend hasn’t gotten married even though her parents are disappointed. Explain why she fights against this stigma, because she knows that her economic independence and happiness are not dependent on a husband.
If this situation is really true, explain why I still learn so much from these women.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Woroni, Woroni Radio and Woroni TV are created, edited, published, printed and distributed. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that the name Woroni was taken from the Wadi Wadi Nation without permission, and we are striving to do better for future reconciliation.