Rally held to observe Women's Day

Rally held to observe Women's Day

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Women from the middle and upper classes celebrated Women's Day on
Sunday in a rather unconventional way, by joining a rally held at
several sites throughout the city.

There were no hardships involved, such as taking difficult
routes.

Instead, this was a rally for tourism, which was also meant to
entertain its participants. One of the challenges staged for
participants was a shopping trip at Plaza Senayan, as well as a
charity event on Jl. Panarukan in the upscale Menteng
neighborhood.

The women, who were driving at least 50 cars, left the
starting point in the East parking lot in Senayan while State
Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemaryoto oversaw
the event, Antara reported.

The event was organized by the National Committee for the
observance of the 74th anniversary of Women's Day.

The day originated from the first national congress of women
in the country, which was held on Dec. 22, 1928.

Ria Sungkar, a member of the organizing committee, said that
the rally was also intended to encourage women to take part in
sports.

She claimed that the rally was similar to other rallies
organized by men for only male participants. However, she said
that this all-women's rally was different as it focused on
leisure activities.

"This rally is no different from the rally that men
participated in, but the challenges that we posed were not
complicated because the emphasis was on having fun," she said.