JP/5/SCENE

Women want legislative quota

PADANG, West Sumatra: Activists for women's rights in West Sumatra are seeking a 30 percent quota for women in the legislative body to allow them to resolve problems facing women.

During a public discussion on Women's Representation in the Legislative Body and Political Bills in Padang on Saturday, representatives of women's groups, activists and political party cadres reached a common understanding that it took strong commitment from the political elite to allocate quotas.

West Sumatra Indonesian Women's Coalition for Justice and Democracy chairwoman Fitriani said it was high time for Indonesia to reach a national consensus to allow women to seat in the legislative body so they could fight for the interests of women and children.

"There should be affirmative action to encourage women to sit in the legislative body," Fitriani said.

So far, the Golkar, Reform and National Awakening factions have agreed to allocate 30 percent of the seats in the Padang legislature to women.