JP/5/SCENE

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.