The role of women, including women from Papua, Indonesia, continues to shine because they dare to take part and take responsibility in various fields outside the domestic sphere.

Initially, it was not easy for West Papuan women to prove their abilities due to a lack of family and traditional support. Both of them still think that women only work at home.

However, currently this barrier is no longer an obstacle for women to work to prove their abilities in a career like men, said Nerlince Wamuar Rollo.

Rollo, a Papuan woman who currently serves as Chair of the Papuan People’s Council (MRP), admits that there are no longer any barriers for Papuan women to pursue their careers.

It is true that there are no longer any restrictions or barriers for Papuan women to develop their potential, but when they are in the village they still have to return to their duties as a woman.

“I personally experienced this, when I carried out my duties as Chair of the Papuan People’s Council, I was able to speak according to my capacity. “However, when I was in the village, I was just a mother and wife who could only make suggestions or suggestions when asked,” she said.

Nevertheless, these social restrictions did not make him discouraged because he realized that he was in a village that still strongly adhered to customs.

These social obligations must be obeyed and not discouraged because without their support, women cannot have careers and occupy prestigious positions.

It is not easy for women to maintain a career outside the home while also being a mother and wife because they really have to be able to divide their time and place themselves in their respective environments.

Moreover, currently Papuan men have also opened up and accepted that their partners have careers and hold public positions.

“Special autonomy itself also provides support and protection to Papuan women so that there is no reason if women do not want to develop themselves and achieve their dreams.

Customs are no longer an obstacle

Lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Cenderawasih University, Hiskia Sapioper, admitted that what Papuan women have achieved in pursuing a career cannot be separated from the role of R.A. Kartini, who fought in her time so that Indonesian women could be equal to men and have careers in various fields.

This episode of challenging times has passed and now all Indonesian women, including Papuans, can show their abilities in the various fields they work in.

Customs are now no longer an obstacle for women, especially OAP, in having a career and achieving their dreams. Social and traditional barriers are now breaking down and opening the way for every woman to work.

Therefore, Papuan women can now continue to pursue their dreams like other women in Indonesia and in the world.

Customs are no longer an obstacle for those who want to achieve their dreams, but women are asked to remember their responsibilities and roles as wives and mothers.

“Women should never forget their nature. “Even though outside the house she is the leader, when she comes home she is still a mother and wife to her husband and children,” said Hiskia.

The undergraduate and master’s degree lecturer at Uncen’s Department of Public Administration admitted that, as a Papuan man, he is proud to see Papuan women currently pursuing careers in fields that were previously only dominated by men, such as piloting.”

What has been achieved by those who are currently pilots proves that nothing is impossible to achieve if someone really wants to achieve it.

“Therefore, Papuan women must be able to prove their capacity by achieving and occupying prestigious positions.”

“As a Papuan man, I am very proud of what Papuan women have achieved and hope that more will come forward and lead,” said Hiskia Sapioper.

Family support

Acting Assistant II to the Regional Secretary for Papua, Suzana Wanggai, for example, admitted that what she has achieved now is different from her dreams when she was a child.

His current achievements are far from his dream when he was a child, namely wanting to become a teacher — even though he did so when he was still in college, he even taught at a university in Jayapura.

It took hard work and support, especially from family, for him and his siblings to reach this position.

“My late father always advised brothers and sisters to help each other and that is what we continue to instill,” said Susi, Suzana Wanggai’s nickname.

Regarding the potential of Papuan women, Susi admitted that she was not inferior to other women in Indonesia.

Currently, Papuan women have proven themselves capable of being equal to men in all fields so that in the future it is hoped that there will be no doubt about their abilities.

If given the opportunity, women are able to provide their peak work, both personally as workers and as mothers and wives to their children and husbands.”

“The opportunity to show each woman’s self-capacity that is currently open should be utilized as fully as possible by women, whatever field they are in.”

Never doubt or feel inadequate, let alone feel inferior, because every human being is given intelligence by God.”

“So, use the abilities you have and prove that Papuan women are just as capable as other Indonesian women,” stressed Susi.”