Legislative posts for women

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A local community leader called on the ruling Golkar to give local women positions in the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, Antara reported yesterday.

Theys H. Eluay said no women from the province have been posted at either institutions in the past 25 years. "This is our homework assignment for Golkar," he said. "It should struggle to place women from Irian Jaya in those legislative bodies after the 1997 general election."

There are currently four women in the Provincial Legislative Council, but Theys said that's not enough. "Irian Jaya must be given more opportunity to improve itself through its women," he said.

The only woman from Irian Jaya to ever sit in the House of Representatives was Dorkas Hanasby, who was appointed after the 1972 general election, Theys said. (01)