Political module for women launched

Political module for women launched

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

To new women politicians and aspiring ones: Don't despair! That
is the message of a new module on politics for women, issued on
Tuesday by Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan (the Women's Journal
Foundation).

Its introductory notes refer to the much more positive
environment nowadays in Indonesia for women in politics, even
though the law on elections does not make the 30 percent quota of
women candidates mandatory for political parties.

The introduction states that the past five years have showed
much higher awareness of women's political rights here, with
support from international institutions, donor countries, local
non-government organizations and activists, all of which "strive
to overcome systematic and cultural constraints."

Also, women need only look at their daily concerns and not be
turned off by the "male politics" of money and power, foundation
executive director Adriana Venny said in her introduction.

"Women's politics is that of simple and daily affairs," she
wrote. These included "What food to put on the table while the
husband is engrossed in gambling; whether the price of rice will
increase again tomorrow; the children' school fees; how I should
keep fit during pregnancy and safe during labor; how I should
ensure my baby is well-nourished; and how to protect women's
rights when their husbands remarry".

Political platforms of the presidential candidates "show very
little understanding of women's issues," she added. A few weeks
ahead of the second round of the presidential election, on Monday
presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed a large
group of women, promising he would strive to look after their
interests, and that at least four seats in his Cabinet would go
to women.

Late Tuesday his rival's camp was quick to follow with Hasyim
Muzadi, running mate to Megawati Soekarnoputri, addressed a
television talk show titled "Islam and Women."

The possibility of winning over female voters, who make up
over 50 percent of potential voters, has for a while no longer
been the monopoly of Indonesia's first woman president, Megawati,
whose popularity has waned in opinion polls even among female
respondents.

The module stresses the importance of the influence of women
in decision-making positions such as Kebumen regent Rustiningsih
in Central Java, who is "sensitive to women's needs and does not
easily issue regulations that disadvantage women".

Of the new members of the House of Representatives to be
installed in early October, women make up only 11 percent, and
those who failed to become legislators have said they would be
willing to assist wherever possible to make up for the shortage.

Bills that are currently considered urgent by women activists
include those on domestic violence, protection of migrant workers
and on trafficking.

Speakers at Tuesday's discussion were Smita Notosusanto from
the Center for Electoral Reform and Masruhach of the Women's
Coalition, who said the module still failed to live up to its
claim to provide "practical tips" for women politicians.

The foundation, which published the module with support from
Australia's AusAid, is best known for its women's journal and
radio program on women's issues.