Women seeking greater future role<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A national women's organization long considered
\nclose to the government is pouncing on opportunities from the
\nreform movement to establish a more significant role for itself
\nin society.<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the Indonesian Congress of Women (Kowani), Enny
\nBusiri, said the issue of retaining the First Lady as the
\norganization's main patron would be among subjects for discussion
\nat its 21st congress which opened on Monday.<\/p>\n
Enny and her colleagues of the 70-year-old organization also
\nsaid they would strive for greater democracy in the election of
\norganization leaders. They acknowledged government intervention
\nin the past.<\/p>\n
Members will discuss other possible changes to anticipate
\ndevelopments in the next five years, amid political uncertainty
\nahead of this year's general election.<\/p>\n
\"Strategies to empower women should continue, but we will have
\nto focus more on programs directly related to people's needs,\"
\nshe told The Jakarta Post, such as preventing student dropouts.<\/p>\n
She stressed the organization should now exert \"social
\ncontrol\" over government policies.<\/p>\n
Enny said, \"In the past we were subject to the (limits) of the
\nsystem,\" which included lack of transparency.<\/p>\n
Enny reported on the accountability of Kowani leadership to
\nthe forum on the second day of the congress. Its 343 participants
\ninclude representatives of 73 affiliated organizations, among
\nthem units of the Civil Servants Wives Organization (Dharma
\nWanita) and social and religious groups.<\/p>\n
Opened by patron Hasri Ainun Habibie on Monday, the congress
\nwill close on Thursday. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/women-seeking-greater-future-role-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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