Lawyer hails govt's recognition of NGOs

Lawyer hails govt's recognition of NGOs

JAKARTA (JP): It is time for Indonesia to show the world that
it welcomes the presence of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), a noted lawyer and women's rights advocate said.

During a break at the Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial
Conference on Women in Development, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana
praised Minister of Women's Affairs Mien Sugandhi for agreeing to
meet five delegates from local women's groups.

The women were among the estimated 30 who participated in a
"peace march" outside the conference venue, organized by the
recently formed Indonesian Committee of NGOs for Elimination of
Discrimination against Women. Nursyahbani chairs the committee.

The peace march also had official permission from Mien.

The lawyer also praised the Conference which has officially
recognized around 50 NGO delegates from Asia-Pacific countries,
although they were only granted observer status.

"This government-to-government Conference is good to evaluate
the results of the 1985 international women's conference in
Nairobi, although NGOs still have a different perspective about
problems concerning women," said Nursyahbani.

She said the differences could not be reconciled at previous
international preparatory meetings in the run-up to the 1995
World Conference of Women, including the one in Manila last year.

"The difference lies in the very concept of women in
development," she said. While governments address the issue of
elevating women's role in development, she said NGOs see the
problem as one of "gender and development."

This, she said, addresses development itself, the relations of
state and society as well as the relationship between men and
women.

A joint statement by 40 women NGOs, presented by the Committee
yesterday, criticized the development model which stresses
economic growth and which "..has emphasized the ideology of
motherhood...and exploits the women's body and labor..."

After meeting Mien, the delegates suggested that the ministry
intervene on matters concerning women migrant workers. (anr)