City told to open women empowerment office

JAKARTA (JP): A central government team met with Governor Sutiyoso on Wednesday to ask that the City administration to open a bureau to deal with empowering women in the capital.

"We hope Jakarta will open one soon as the Governor gave a good response," Zainuddin A.G., an expert of the State Ministry for Women Empowerment, told reporters after the meeting.

State Minister of Women Empowerment Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who is currently performing the haj pilgrimage, has been lobbying for the creation of such an office in every provincial administration.

So far, only 12 provinces have followed her instruction.

"Of course we understand that the issue in Jakarta is very complex," Zainuddin said. "But the women empowerment office is very important to improve the quality of life for women in the city," he said.

Administration spokesman Muhayat said the opening of such an office was still a long way off.

"The process is not that simple. We have to organize the staff, for example," he said. "The Governor wants to make an efficient but highly functional organization," he added. (09)