Marwah says women finding their political feet

By Indrawati

JAKARTA (JP): Marwah Daud Ibrahim is one of the few women who holds a prominent position in the country's political arena, one among 58 women legislators in the House of Representatives (DPR).

In 1992, at the age of 36, she was elected for the first time to the House, representing the ruling Golkar for her home province of South Sulawesi. Last October, Marwah began her second legislative term after an active electoral campaign.

Armed with a doctorate in international communications from American University in Washington, D.C., Marwah has concurrently occupied senior positions in a government agency, a non- governmental organization, the Association of Islamic Intellectuals (ICMI) and Golkar's executive board.

She has conducted research for UNESCO and the World Bank, and taught at the University of Indonesia and three U.S. universities.

Even as a student, Marwah could handle a hectic schedule of commitments. A student leader at Hasanuddin University in Ujungpandang, where she obtained her undergraduate degree, Marwah went on to become deputy secretary-general of the influential Association of Islamic Students (HMI).

Marwah's reelection to the legislature coincided with the publication of a book profiling Indonesian women legislators and their views (see book review). Marwah, appropriately considering her overflowing ideas, was the initiator of the project.

She admits in her own profile that she was no stranger to politics, but that she still sought advice from several ministers -- BJ Habibie, Akbar Tandjung, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Wardiman Djojonegoro and Haryanto Dhanutirto -- before accepting her party's nomination.

Marwah sits on legislative Commission VIII for the state budget, science and technology and national development. She also chairs Golkar's department of research and technology and foreign relations.

It is not easy to get hold of Marwah as she juggles career with caring for her husband, a writing consultant, and their family of three children aged 13, nine and two years.

Hours before flying to South Sulawesi for the legislative recess, Marwah agreed to be interviewed on women in national politics in conjunction with Hari Ibu (Women's Day), which falls tomorrow.

Question: What are your views on women as political leaders in Indonesia?

Answer: This is not a new idea. When we talk about Indonesia, we're not only talking about a single ethnic group. If I trace back through history, the Bugis in Sulawesi, where I come from, were once ruled by a queen.

It's accepted for women to be active in politics. In fact, when I was in elementary school, the most senior leader in my community, the camat (district head), was a woman. So for me it's no problem, no surprise at all for women to become leaders in Indonesia.

Q: Is it important to increase the number of women in the legislature and the cabinet?

A: Yes. If possible, I think we need to place a quota on the number of positions for women. I once met a woman legislator from a Nordic country who told me that her parliament had a quota for women and different age groups. She told me she was chosen on the ballot because she was in her 30s and had a child under five years old. She said she could represent people with similar needs and interests.

In Indonesia, we mention target percentages but we don't force the issue. In Golkar, our target was for 17 percent women legislators, but still we didn't achieve this number. In fact, there was supposed to be at least one woman from every province.

In ICMI, we called for three delegates from every province to attend a national meeting. We ended up with all men. Before the next meeting, we made a requirement that at least one woman should be included in each delegation, and so many good women turned up, professors and deans of universities. These women are around, it's just that they're always being overshadowed.

There should be more women in the legislature and in the cabinet. Also, we've never had a female governor. In the beginning, we have to do something to increase the numbers. When we're better off, we won't need any special efforts.

Q: Are women legislators active in parliament?

A: They're quite active. They participate, they contribute, they give their views. So far, women are more active in the areas of social justice, education and women's issues, but the situation is changing.

You can also find women spread across the budgetary and political committees in the legislature.

Q: What were your own expectations before you were elected to the House?

A: When I was asked, I really didn't feel I should accept. I remembered the criticism and jokes about the House, and I thought that it would involve just turning up, sitting around and doing nothing. But now I think it's a very strategic place to be.

I could speak in a seminar, write a book or start a program as a member of a non-governmental organization, but the magnitude of that influence would be less.

A law enacted by the House can affect the entire nation. For example, increasing the budget for elementary schools affects more than 60,000 people. I think it's very strategic, very powerful.

In some ways, I think things can still be improved. The House should introduce more initiatives, and be more representative of the regions.

Q: A frequent snipe at women legislators is that they gained their positions because through the careers of their husbands or fathers...

A: In some cases this is correct. But I always say it's easy to find a singer from a family of singers, or a trader from a family of traders. Thus, you can expect to get politicians from a family of politicians. Look at Indira Gandhi. She learned from her father. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's only wrong if better people are prevented from getting access to these positions.

The caliber of people is improving and they should be offered open access. The percentage of key positions in politics is going to be bigger for those who might not come from political families.

Q: Has there been progress in roles and status of women in public life in the 50 years since independence?

A: Yes, I think so. Women have more time right now. Before, they were tied to their family activities. Not so long ago, even in my mother's generation, they had eight, 10 or 13 children and no time for anything else. These days, they have two kids. The number of women in public life will grow.

Women also have better access to information. Before, only men got news in the office or coffee shops. Now, women have access to a broad range of information through radio, newspapers and television available in their own homes. Now they see role models and they think, "if they can do it, why can't I, or my daughter?"

In the field of economic analysis, we have two or three new women whom we haven't heard from before, and they are very good, brilliant. Science and technology are full of good women.

I was invited to the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and they told me the proportion of women was higher than that of men in many classes. I think this is a trend of the future which will also extend to politics.

Q: Does Islam place restrictions on women's participation in public life?

A: The practice of religion is tied to culture. Islam is not monolithic in Indonesia. I am from Ujungpandang which is, I think, a very egalitarian and open community. The practice of Islam in my region is influenced by that culture. For me, Islam has not been a hindrance to my career. In fact, I was given a push because of it. In other Islamic countries, women can't drive cars. In Indonesia, we can drive taxis, we can fly planes.

Q: How have you balanced responsibilities of family and career?

A: In my family, we get together to make a kind of time line or schedule.

We take a long perspective and make five-year plans. Before I was elected to the House, I told my children that I would have to leave Jakarta every four months, and when I joined Golkar's executive board, my family was also involved in joint planning.

I always try to see what, and at what age, my children need most from me and my husband, those things they can't get from anyone else. Then I can identify my particular assignments and prioritize. Every day, children need affection, encouragement and support. It's important to set aside time just to hug and kiss them.

I integrate my family in other parts of my life. For example, I've organized a space in the corner of my office with 20 quality books. Now, when my second son comes to my work, he says, "I'm going to my library" rather than just being a visitor in Mom's office. This way he feels important. Parents have to be creative.

Q: Have community attitudes to women in public life changed?

A: Yes, I think so. But as well as individuals making personal efforts, we need to have a common effort to help women. In the United States, they have cooperatives where about 20 families join together to organize childcare for their children.

The parents hire staff and each parent sets aside two times a month to contribute to the center. A father who is a policeman, for example, might come and teach the children about his job. We could do this in Indonesia.

We need to help children and working parents. Maybe the legislature could pass legislation which requires that employers with more than 100, 200 or 300 employees provide space in the office for some form of childcare or playground. For example, the House has a vast area, but no play area for children waiting for their parents.

This is why we need more young women in decision-making positions. Men will not think about these problems, and women who are past childbearing age may not see them as priority issues.