The Life and Legacy of Saparinah Sadli: Championing Gender Equality and Inspiring Generations
At 98 years old, Saparinah Sadli embodies timeless creativity and continues to inspire both young and old alike with her enduring energy.
This year marks the eighth anniversary of the Saparinah Sadli Award, which has honored Indonesian women leaders embodying the virtues and spirit of its namesake, who, at 98 years old, continues to inspire both young and old alike with her unwavering energy.
The Award’s journey began about two decades ago, when journalist Debra Yatim, scholar/activist Smita Notosusanto, and myself wondered about the overwhelming number of awards given to men and none to women. Smita then came up with the idea of having “our own award”, to which Debra and I said, “Yes, why not!”.
For the award’s name, we immediately thought about Saparinah Sadli, a fierce advocate of gender justice and a passionate motivator, who taught us how to be bold, brave, daring, and handle adversaries in the feminine spirit of compassion. She was the type of leader we were seeking.
We reached out to our peers, and they were equally enthusiastic. The first committee was then formed, comprising artist Astari Rasjid, economist Marie Pangestu, demographer Mayling Oey-Gardiner, psychologist Kristi Poerwandari, TV anchor Anita Rahman, sociologist Ery Seda, and photographer Hermandari Kartowisastro.
The Saparinah Sadli Award was launched in 2002 as a tribute to Ibu Sap’s 75th birthday on Aug. 24, which has since become the regular date for subsequent events. The inaugural recipient of the accolade was Muslim scholar Mariah Ulfah Anshor in 2004, for her contributions to advancing the discourse on women’s reproductive rights from the perspective of Islamic law.
The subsequent award winners are:
- Aleta Baun (2007), for leading women in opposing a mining company responsible for environmental degradation in Timor Tengah Selatan, and Mutmainah Korona (2007), for successfully advocating for women’s participation in village governance in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
- Nani Zulminarni (2010), for empowering women heads of households through the PEKKA organization.
- Bahihajar Tualeka (2012), for her dedicated efforts in fostering inter-religious peace in Ambon, Maluku.
- Sri Wahyuningsih (2016), a teacher who campaigns for reproductive health education and works to prevent child marriage.
- Masnu’ah (2018), for her leadership in empowering fisherwomen.
Also read: False Truth: Confronting History’s Cruel Treatment of Gerwani Women
Saparinah Sadli the Trailblazer
At 98, Ibu Sap is still the person I first knew some decades ago: Modest but multifaceted, boldly outspoken and creative, with strong personal integrity, noble ethics, and highly tuned to justice. She always keeps up with the spirit of the time, meeting friends daily to discuss activism and reminisce about actions of the distant and present past.
I first met Ibu Sap while working at the World Bank Jakarta Office, focusing on women in development and NGO affairs. At one point, I urgently needed advice from this remarkable expert—a professor, dean of the Psychology Department, and head of the postgraduate Women’s Studies program at the University of Indonesia, who was also married to economist and government minister Prof. Moh. Sadli. Normally, I would have sent a formal letter of introduction, but the process would have taken too long. Taking a bold step, I called her home directly and was surprised when she answered the phone herself—something unusual at the time, as prominent figures typically had their staff handle such calls.
I also recall an unforgettable moment during World Bank President James David Wolfensohn’s visit to the Jakarta office. His wife had requested a meeting with a group of prominent Indonesian women. However, under Ibu Sap’s leadership, these women firmly declined, stating they would only meet with the president himself, as his wife held no decision-making authority. Facing pressure, Wolfensohn ultimately agreed to the meeting. The women used the opportunity to successfully negotiate a commitment: at least 20 percent of women’s participation in the government’s World Bank-supported, labor-intensive projects aimed at accommodating workers laid off during the 1997 economic and monetary crises.
Born in 1926 during the Dutch colonial period, Ibu Sap grew up in a privileged social order as her father was a civil servant in the Netherlands Indies administration. This allowed her access to a European education at the Europese Lagere School (ELS). However, despite her Western education, her family upheld traditional customs that prioritized men over women—her father received the best food, and her brother had freedoms she could only dream of.
“I often wished I was a boy,” she once confessed, admitting that her youthful ideal was to become like her father.
Even as a child, Ibu Sap began charting her own path. She would climb the tallest tree in her garden to immerse herself in books, including the biography of Marie Curie. Curie’s groundbreaking discoveries inspired her deeply and shaped the trajectory of her life.
Also read: Julia Suryakusuma on Mother, Motherhood, and Ibuism
Breaking Barriers
As an academician, Ibu Sap paid close attention to gender disparities, which she first noticed in psychology textbooks that treated women as mere footnotes. Her initial academic curiosity soon transformed into a life of activism.
In 1989, the University of Indonesia founded the postgraduate Women’s Studies program, which was led by Ibu Sap until 2000. She revitalized the program, building networks with international experts and making it a hub for gender studies in Indonesia.
“Women’s Studies was crucial because it corrected the male-centric perspective of science,” she explained. “Research often generalized findings from male samples to all of humankind, forgetting that women—more than half of the population—have different psyches, concerns, and aspirations.”
Under her leadership, the program became a vital center for action, especially during the May 1998 riots, which saw mass rapes and violence. Women from interdisciplinary backgrounds gathered at the department, drafting statements urging President B.J. Habibie to denounce the atrocities. Their statement, shared online, garnered over 4,000 signatories.
When the government, particularly the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, continued denying the mass rapes, Ibu Sap united 22 women from diverse backgrounds to confront the issue. Bridging the divide between young activists and established figures, they marched to the Presidential Palace, demanding acknowledgment and justice. When the guards attempted to admit only her, she stood firm: “All or none.”
President Habibie ultimately issued an official apology, condemning the crimes, and agreeing to establish the National Commission on the Elimination of Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan).
Also read: Scholar, Activist Speaks of Hoax and Humanity in Post-Truth Era
Even at 98, Ibu Sap remains curious and engaged. On one occasion, she expressed her desire to visit ArtJog, a contemporary art fair in Yogyakarta. I usually stayed in modest accommodations, but she was unfazed and enjoyed mingling with young artists and soaking in the creative energy.
I also learned about her unique routines. After every meeting, she would take a bath, even if just briefly, sometimes doing this three or four times a day. She followed each bath with a short nap. Looking at her vibrant life today, one wonders if water and sleep have been her elixir for a long life and fresh creative thoughts!
Carla Bianpoen is an independent journalist, observer of contemporary art and culture.
