Megawati wants more women in politics

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed concern on Monday over the low participation rate of women in politics, despite the fact that they account for 51 percent of the country's population and shoulder the bulk of the burden of educating the younger generation.

During the 1992/1997 period, there were 65 women in the House of Representatives (12.5 percent of the total membership), but the figure decreased to 57 (11.5 percent) during the 1997/1999 period and 45 (9 percent) in the current House, which will be dissolved next year.

The House comprises 500 members, but this figure will increase to 550 after the 2004 general election.

"The numbers are real. It makes us wonder what is wrong with women's participation in politics in our country?" Megawati said in her speech during an event to mark Women's Day (translated here as Hari Ibu, which means "Mother's Day"), at the State Palace.

"We need more real participation from women in this country," the President said.

During the celebration, Megawati presented the Satya Lencana medal to Central Statistics Agency (BPS) chief Soedarti Surbakti for her contribution to women's empowerment.

The President also addressed the issue of gender equality in the country.

"In line with the spirit and insight of our country's development, we cannot accept unfair treatment for women," Megawati said.

Meanwhile, some women's organizations, including the Women's Coalition for Justice and Democracy (KPI), are demanding that the government officially change Hari Ibu to Hari Perempuan (which literally means "Women's Day" in Indonesian).

They argued the Women's Day was observed to honor a group of Indonesian women who held the first ever women's congress on Dec. 22, 1928.

"We've repeatedly demanded that it be changed to Hari Perempuan as not every woman is a mother," said Dian Kartika Sari, a member of KPI.