Aceh war makes women single parents

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Some 148,000 women in the troubled province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam have become single parents due to the prolonged conflict.

T.A.F. Haikal, an activist with a local non-governmental organization (NGO), said in Makassar that the women became single parents after their husbands died or went missing during military operations in the province.

The province has a population of some 4 million residents.

Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels have fought for independence for Aceh since the 1970s.

The conflict intensified in 1999 after then president Soeharto stepped down in May 1998.

As the influence of GAM became stronger, the government declared martial law in the province last year, when the Indonesian Military kicked off a massive military operation here. -- Antara