Khas Kalimantan (Unique Kalimantan)

Edi Petebang , CONTRIBUTOR , PONTIANAK | Mon, 04/06/2009 9:54 AM | In a remote riverside village in East Kalimantan, one woman is taking on tradition and a patriarchal culture in her struggle to improve the lot of local women. It takes two days of sailing against the strong currents of Mahakam River to reach Mamahak Tebok village in Long Hubung district in West Kutai regency. From this village, Tekla Tirah Liyah has, since 1997, been motivating women in the downstream riverside hamlets to fight against gender discrimination and injustice. The 42-year-old is one of the few women in Kalimantan taking on the patriarchal culture in communities bound by customs. Tekla, born to Dayak Bahau parents, has frequently proved her willingness to make sacrifices for her cause – not least that she is separated from her husband and children for weeks at a time. But she accepts such sacrifices and challenges as part of the life of an activist. “Many important decisions involving rural people’s l