'Can entertainers make good legislators?'<\/p>\n
As the deadline on Jan. 19 approaches, some 24 political parties
\nhave been struggling to meet the 30-percent quota for women
\ncandidates in the general election on April 5. Even those that
\nhave managed to meet the quota as recommended by the Elections
\nLaw have given their women candidates a low priority by placing
\nthem at the bottom of their lists. The Jakarta Post talked to
\nsome city residents on the issue.<\/p>\n
Uli, 30, works as a manager for a company. She lives with her
\nparents in Kota, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I'm pessimistic that the 30 percent quota for women
\nlegislators will be achieved because there aren't many
\nintelligent women who can do the job. Even if the quota is
\nfulfilled, I'd still question their capabilities.<\/p>\n
It's possible that parties will just pick any woman who comes
\nalong solely to meet the quota. Look at the way parties are
\ntrying to garner support by using female entertainers as their
\ncandidates. I'm not saying that entertainers are not capable. I'm
\njust asking whether they are really capable of being legislators?<\/p>\n
Whatever happens, there won't be any significant changes as
\nregards the development of women's rights in the country.<\/p>\n
Indy, 40, is a supervisor with a publishing company. She lives
\nin Petamburan, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The quota will be fulfilled in numerical terms but there won't
\nbe many capable women elected as the parties are only interested
\nin meeting the quota.<\/p>\n
I feel very pessimistic that the female legislative candidates
\nwill bring about changes regarding the rights and advancement of
\nwomen in the country. What do you expect from unqualified and
\nincapable legislators?<\/p>\n
Kwee Tjin Tjai, 30, is a human resources department manager
\nwith a paper manufacturer in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives with
\nhis wife and baby boy in Cikokol, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
My personal opinion is that the quota for women candidates
\nshould be 40 percent instead of 30 percent. That would be fair
\nand square.<\/p>\n
Even with a 30 percent quota, I am pessimistic that the
\nparties will be able to comply with the recommendation in the
\ngeneral election as our society is still too patriarchal. They
\nare not ready to accept women as leaders.<\/p>\n
The election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as President was just
\nan accident of history. It won't be repeated unless people can
\naccept women and give them more chances to lead.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/can-entertainers-make-good-legislators-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }