TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - “I remember my editor at the Jakarta Post once said, ‘Wow, we have too many women reporters here. The newsroom has become too emotional’,” recalls Managing Editor of Magdalene magazine, Hera Diani.

This is indicative of the stereotypes of women who work in Indonesia’s media industry. It’s a demonstration of the patriarchal culture that Diani says has been cultivated in Indonesia and remains unopposed due to the lack of females in positions of power in government and social organizations. In the example of the media industry, females are underrepresented, with only 10 percent of Indonesia’s 14,000 journalists consisting of women according to 2013 data.

Diani says Indonesia’s culture is influenced by its history and social norms as is the culture of each corporate industry. The media industry is no different. “When women are opinionated, we are told we are emotional. There’s a lot of mansplaining. During meetings women are usually silent and won’t often voice their opinion,” she says.

Journalists were concerned about men’s false perceptions of women. Designed by Walmond

An Alliance of Independent Journalists representative, Raisya Mahrani, says the editors at her former place of work would often complain about her emotions by asking, “’Why are you so angry today? Are you on your period?’”

Such attitudes have restricted the number of female journalists in Indonesia. “In the newsroom, I think the inclination is more toward men than women, except, maybe, when you’re single,” Diani says.

Before marriage and pregnancy, a woman has fewer commitments outside of work, which allows women in the media industry to work productive 16-hour days. Because this quickly changes after marriage and, later, pregnancy, editors are often less likely to hire women.

It’s economically motivated, Jakarta journalist Wan Ulfa says. “They will hire more men because they don’t have maternity leave, so it’s a more economic decision,” she explains.

Journalists working at the KBR Radio office, where only two women are employed. Photo by Mikaela Southey

By law, employers in Jakarta are required to provide three months maternity leave to all female employees, but Diani argues that it’s not enough.

“It has to be at least six months because you’re still a mess. Breastfeeding every three hours, tired from the lack of sleep, but they expect you to be back to normal and give 100 percent like before…. The expectation is very high, so it’s very hard,” she says.

“There are no resources, no support system for women to do that. Even day-care options are very few in Jakarta. Traffic is bad, especially when you commute to the suburbs.”

The lack of support makes it particularly difficult to work in the media industry as a mother, Diani says. She recalls one of her editors helping her children over the phone to do their homework and female journalists attending meetings when their children were sick.

“There’s so much expectation for women to juggle like that,” she says.

One of the most frustrating issues faced by Indonesia’s media and corporate women is the menstruation law that allows women two days leave per month. Ulfa is concerned the menstruation-leave law discourages editors from hiring women.

A comparison between the personal and maternity leave a working woman is entitled to. Designed by Walmond.

“It’s great,” she says, “but on the other hand if you’re a business leader from a business perspective, it will reduce your productivity, so they have another reason to hire more men than women.”

Kompas TV producer Yunita Tandililing adds that some women are too reserved to admit they are taking menstruation leave.

“It used to be that women could say ‘I’m not coming today because I am sick, or I am unwell.’ We say, ‘okay fine’, but these days you have to give a doctor’s certificate so that it is approved,” she says.

Despite the Labour Law’s reaffirmation in 2003, not all corporate companies adhere to the law, Mahrani says. “The female journalists sometimes cannot use their menstruation leave, because so many media companies do not talk about that. But, in fact, it is the right of female journalists,” she says.

Ulfa agrees. “They should know that if they work in a company that they have that right.”

The stigmas against female journalists have prompted the women in media fields to gain respect, according to Diani.

“A woman works twice as hard to prove she can do it,” says Diani on her experience as managing editor of Magdalene. The female journalists, she encounters, are more diligent, less corrupt and have a willingness and eagerness to improve themselves.

But what are the tangible benefits of employing women in media fields?

With more women in positions of power within the media industry, there will be a higher quantity and quality of reporting on gender-specific matters, according to Diani.

“It’s important to have women in leadership positions so that such issues, very important issues, can have a place in the media.”

Ulfa notes that although it’s usually not possible to generalize about people’s performance based on gender, there are some settings where it’s better to have a female journalist. “If the source is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, I think it would be better for a woman to interview them…. Sometimes the victim will be more comfortable talking to a woman journalist”.

Tandililing says a woman’s touch will always improve the quality of a story, as she believes women’s emotional sensitivity while reporting can be used to their advantage.

“Women can see more than it seems on the surface. Women can use their feelings and make news more human…. Viewers want to see the real you as a journalist,” she says.

Empowering women in these fields not only provides long-term benefits on the quality of journalism produced but improves the economic performance of the company, says Executive Director of the Indonesian Business Coalition for Women Empowerment Maya Juwita.

“Research shows that having gender balance in managerial positions has a positive impact for a company, in terms of productivity and financial growth”.

A study by Global Financial Consultants MSCI shows the direct link between female representation in corporate fields and overall productivity. Women in positions of power within the MSCI World Index companies generated a return of equity of 10.1 percent as opposed to 7.4 percent for those without strong female representation.

But how will representation of the genders finally become equal in newsrooms?

A Magdalene magazine writer prepares to record a podcast at KBR Radio. Photo by Mikaela Southey

Tandililing believes a resounding solution to the issue is clear: education. “Through education, we can see something that we’ve never seen before.... We can learn what we’ve never known.”

Mahrina says media companies should instigate standards around sexism in the workplace. “It’s the company’s responsibility to have awareness first about gender equality, then they have to make a rule for the values about that.”

This kind of corporate responsibility can be seen in the office culture of VICE Indonesia.

VICE Indonesia’s declaration about its office culture is placed prominently in its lobby. Photo provided by VICE Indonesia’s Ananda Badudu

Until education is increased, breaking the glass ceiling as a female journalist may seem impossible, says Mahrina.

Yet there are still women who believe the power of their skill can and will always outweigh the misogynistic history of the media industry.

Ulfa has no doubt the stereotypes and stigmas of women in media will not impede on her experience in the field. “I know that it’s not right because I know I have the capability to prove it, that I have the skill,” she says of climbing the ladder as a female journalist.

Hera Diani records a podcast at KBR Radio station. Photo by Mikaela Southey

Tandililing is hopeful for the future of journalism: “We are now facing a very open and equal workplace, especially in media. You can explore everything; you can get the same chance as a man like we’ve never had before.”

Eden Boyd | Mikaela Southey | Arianne | Walmond

Eden Boyd and Mikaela Southey visited Jakarta with the support of the Australian Government's New Colombo Plan mobility program.