Women must pressurize parties to fight for their rights, causes<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Political researcher Chusnul Mar'iyah decried
\nthe dearth of programs for women in the platforms of the big
\npolitical parties gearing up for next year's election.<\/p>\n
\"They all think that this is not an important issue. Yet, all
\nthis time, women have been marginalized because of the prolonged
\npatriarchal, male-dominated system,\" Chusnul said during a
\ndiscussion on Friday on the question of women and the election.<\/p>\n
The lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences of
\nthe University of Indonesia said that since women make up the
\nmajority of the voters -- 51 percent of the electorate -- they
\nshould use this powerful bargaining position to ensure that
\npolitical parties fight for their interests.<\/p>\n
She noted that none of the major political parties, not even
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\nPerjuangan, has any clear-cut program for women.<\/p>\n
These parties, she said, had evolved either around the
\ncharisma of their leaders, populist programs, or religion.<\/p>\n
She predicted only five parties would have any serious chances
\nin the election which will likely see nearly 100 political
\nparties contesting. They are the PDI Perjuangan, the People's
\nAwakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN), Golkar
\nand the Crescent and Star Party (PBB).<\/p>\n
\"But because these parties evolved around those three aspects,
\nthey will not care so much about women's issues,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Chusnul was not even impressed by Megawati, the daughter of
\nIndonesia's first president Sukarno, and the first woman ever to
\nlead a major political party in the country.<\/p>\n
\"She is the only women figure in the PDI leadership. She
\nrelies on the charisma of her father, not her own. She could use
\nher position to pay greater attention to women's issues. Relying
\non charisma will only encourage the cult of the personality.\"<\/p>\n
Chusnul suggested that women, especially the middle class who
\nhave access to information, knowledge and power, be more active
\nin politics to rectify these shortcomings.<\/p>\n
Many women only voted because their husbands or their offices
\ntold them so, she said. \"They are 'mechanical voters.'\"<\/p>\n
\"It is not due to ignorance or an act of free choice. This is
\nhappening because women have become mere commodities and victims
\nof a male-dominated system,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Economist and former cabinet minister Emil Salim has
\nencouraged women to be politically more assertive.<\/p>\n
\"Women have to be active to voice their aspirations. Don't
\nvote for parties which do not pay attention to women's interests.
\nBe critical,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"There are so many issues to fight for in the next election.
\nSo come on, women, stand up and take some action. You don't need
\nto go out on the streets. You can form a strong pressure group.\"<\/p>\n
The discussions were attended by noted figures such as
\nHerawati Diah, who heads the Gerakan Perempuan Sadar Pemilu
\npresidium, Myra Dyarsi, Debra Yatim, Kardinah Soepardjo Roestam,
\nAnnie Bertha Simamora and Muktiah Mashud.<\/p>\n
\"I realize that we are still far from reaching the goal here,
\nwhich is to make Indonesian women aware of their rights to
\nparticipate in the political process. But we'll keep on
\nfighting,\" Debra said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-must-pressurize-parties-to-fight-for-their-rights-causes-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}