Citation

Pohlman A. Sexualities 2016; 20(1-2): 196-211.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1363460716645789

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, the author examines sexual violence against women during a period of mass social conflict and reflects on how this violence continues to affect sexual and political citizenship in modern Indonesia. The demonization and destruction of a particular group of Communist women, known as 'Gerwani', during the mass killings of 1965-1966 created an on-going, pathological discourse about politically active women as gendered and sexual 'others' in Indonesia. The reconfiguration of bodies through sexual violence during that period continues to shape gender ideology and sexual politics in Indonesia, particularly through the prescription of more traditional, heteronormative roles for women's political participation. This negative association with sexuality and sexual violence affects the possibilities for women's active citizenship in post-New Order Indonesia, and renders it difficult for women to claim sexual autonomy or sexual citizenship.

Language: en