Marlina Flassy is an anthropologist from Cenderawasih. She is famous for her extensive studies and activities related to women in Papua and West Papua. She earned Golden Pin Award (Peniti Emas) in 2015 from the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology for her contribution to culture and women’s life.
Marlina works as a full-time Lecturer at Cendrawasih University. She’s teaching undergraduate students in Social Anthropology major. She got her bachelor degree from Cenderawasih University in 1995. She continued her postgraduate study at Gadjah Mada University and graduated in 2002. Aside from being a lecturer, Marlina is also a member of the Institute of Science and Technology (Liptek).
Coordination with the Government
The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Yohana Yembise stated that the gender development index (IPG) and human development index (IPM) in Papua were low. The quality is very far behind compared to other regions.
Therefore, to improve the quality of human resources, Yohana joined hands with the Institute of Science and Technology (Liptek) to research the condition of women and children in the region. Yohana hoped that the result of the study could be used as a basis for stakeholders to formulate government policies
According to Marlina Flassy, the Head of the Liptek Papua Research Team, the research titled ‘Profile of women and children in Papua Province’ was carried out in 4 areas, namely Jayapura City, Jayawijaya Regency, Nabire Regency, and Asmat Regency. The research was conducted using quantitative, qualitative, and in-depth interviews.
The research resulted in 8 findings and seven recommendations. Some of the problems are illegal liquor distribution, physical abuse toward women and children, and the absence of a birth certificate. If the children have no birth certificate, they cannot even register for school.
The researchers suggested the government use an integral approach and cooperate with religious customs regarding this matter to solve the problem. Intervention in education, health, economy, and other programs was needed to understand Papua culture better.
Journals and Publications
Marlina Flassy has published journals, articles, and dissertations that primarily study the indigenous community and women emancipation in Papua. Some of them are:
- Local knowledge, disease, and healing in Papua community (2018)
A dissertation that described and analyzed the concepts, knowledge and practices related to the health and disease of the Tehit people in the South Sorong Regency, West Papua. The study describes Tehits’ perspective of body, wellbeing, illness and disease. The Tehits perceive their bodies and the conditions as being deeply connected with their social and spiritual dimensions.
- Deficit of Woman Human Right in Papua Province: A Conceptual Framework in 2019
The study collaborated between the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Children’s Protection fun and the LIPTEK-Papua research team. Marlina was the research team leader. The study dealt with protecting women and children’s human rights in Papua province, especially regarding domestic violence and women employment. The samples were taken from Jayapura City, Nabire Regency, Mimika Regency, and Boven Digoel Regency.
- Membangun Jati Diri Suku Tehit Kabupaten Sorong Selatan Papua Barat (2020)
The objective of this article was to analyze the identity construction of the Tehit tribe in Sorong Regency, West Papua Province. The results indicated internal and external degradations of the Tehit tribe’s sense of identity, which led to loose relations. This phenomenon is caused by political practice and economic competition. To solve the problem, Marlina attempted to construct the identity of Tehiti tribe by socializing tea culture and strengthening solidarity between the people.
- OPRA: Gerakan Perempuan Adat pada Suku Bangsa Namblong di Lembah Grime di Kabupaten Jayapura (2020)
The study aimed to describe and analyze the social movements carried out by the Indigenous Women’s Organization (OPRA) in the Namblong Tribe in the Grime Valley, Jayapura Regency, Papua. The study found that OPRA was born out of women’s dissatisfaction with their customary structure placement.
- Relasi Gender dalam Keluarga pada Suku Hubula di Kampung Isaima Distrik Usilimo Kabupaten Jayawijaya (2020)
The study, which was done together with Ratna Mabel and Gerdha Kl Numberi, was conducted to describe and analyze gender relations and the role division between men and women in the Hubula tribe in Kampung Isaima, DIstrik Usilimo, Jayawijaya Regency. The study indicated that husband and wife divide their roles based on the consensual agreement discussed earlier. Women took a more significant part in production and reproduction activities, while men took a more substantial portion in social activities.
- Women and Child Health and Malaria in Papua (Keerom and Merauke). A Qualitative Study (KAP) (2006)
Together with Katarina Greifeld and DWJH van Oosterhout, Marlina researched people of Papua’s understanding of health and illness, especially regarding Malaria and the health of women and children. The study showed the difference between their perspective, actions, and what public health services offer.
Until now, Marlina Flassy is still fighting for women emancipation in West Papua through her research. Hopefully, the life of women and children will improve, and they get the right they deserve.
