One of the problems that Indonesian women have in multi-national marriages is that they are not allowed to sponsor their husbands and children who are foreign citizens to live in Indonesia when or if they don’t receive sponsorship from a company. This is because of the different rights for Indonesian men and women in the law regarding multi-national marriages, which discriminates against women. Foreign men married to Indonesian women can also not easily attain Indonesian citizenship, and children of these marriages are not automatically entitled to Indonesian citizenship. This is particularly difficult when the foreign husbands of Indonesian women don’t have a job and are applying for employment, and must leave Indonesia with the children. In this case, the wife is the only one entitled to live in Indonesia. From the perspective of the children oft rejects their presence unless their fathers’ multi-national marriages, the laws that have sponsors can be emotionally troubling. They are perceived as foreigners even though many of them are born and raised in Indonesia. Wherever they are, they feel a part of Indonesia and also have Indonesian values and traditions, even though it may not fully account for their upbringing. They have high social responsibility and are concerned about the progress and the social welfare of the Indonesian nation.

From the Indonesian State’s point of view, children from these multi-national marriages can act as part of the human capital resources needed for the development of the country. They are trained to work and effectively compete with their peers from different cultural and national backgrounds. They also can speak both English and /or the other languages of their fathers as well as Indonesian. Their abilities, either in cultural understanding, creativity or skilled knowledge and financial capital, are an asset for Indonesia that can contribute greatly to facing this era of globalization.

Based on the above consideration, we, Indonesian woman who are married to foreigners, want very much to receive the same treatment as well as the rights and obligation of Indonesian men married to foreign women, based on the laws and regulations regarding multi-national marriages. As citizens who love our country and care about problems faces by our needy fellow citizens, Srikandi members also wish Srikandi to be a place that can support the government in all humanitarians’ aspects. For this purpose, we have a social welfare section lead by Wahyu Dilts.

If we can reach our dream, Indonesian women will be able to sponsor their husbands and children of foreign citizenship to live in Indonesia, as Indonesian men can sponsor their wives and children of foreign citizenship.

We still have a very long way to go to reach our dream. We have to work together to give our support to the efforts to reach our mutual goal. You can give your support, among other way, by joining the Srikandi membership and becoming actively involved or simply by joining the activities, whenever and wherever possible. Because of that, please, answer the above question in your heart, and join Srikandi. ***