'In the end it will be men who get the seats'

'In the end it will be men who get the seats'

Some 24 political parties are now struggling to meet the 30-
percent quota for women candidates for the general election on
April 5. Many people expressed fears that the parties would
recruit women to fill their lists, regardless of their political
expertise. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents about
the issue.

Emi Yusniati, 32, is a food stall owner. She lives in Serpong,
Tangerang with her two sisters:

I assume that having more female legislators would benefit
women, but we are yet to see whether they really do fight for the
rights and interests of women.

I wouldn't really expect much from those popular female
artists who have been listed as legislative candidates. I think
they are only going to be used by their parties as vote-getters.

To be frank, I also doubt whether women are really prepared to
lead this country anyway. Maybe this is still the age of male
dominance. When will it end? I don't know.

Baharuddin, 41, is a vendor in Gelora subdistrict, Central
Jakarta. He lives with his wife and two children at their rented
food stall:

I know from the media that political parties have been told to
meet the 30 percent quota for women candidates.

I support such requirements, which encourage equality between
men and women. But I doubt whether political parties can make the
quota in such a short time.

I believe most political parties don't have enough qualified
women, so the quota should not be mandatory. I am worried that
the parties may recruit just anybody, then we will have worse
legislators than at present.

Iqrak Sulihin, 26, is a lecturer of criminology with the
University of Indonesia:

The women who have been chosen as candidates are urban
professionals. But, who will represent the women of the villages?
Most of these women don't even finish high school and therefore
cannot stand as candidates.

Moreover, many parties include women in their lists only in a
bid to meet the requirements. In the end, it will be men who get
the seats.

--The Jakarta Post