Women leaders seek action against discrimination

Women leaders seek action against discrimination

JAKARTA (JP): The Asia-Pacific workshop on gender equality
yesterday discussed the role of lobbyists, pressure groups and
strategies to effect change at both the legislative and executive
levels.

"To fight discrimination against women within the society, we
have to start at a higher, policy-making level," Mely G. Tan, a
member of Convention Watch women's organization, told The Jakarta
Post yesterday.

"Many policymakers are men who are not sensitive to the
conditions and problems that women face. We need to make them
understand. The introduction of more women as policymakers will
help as well," said Mely, who is also a senior researcher at the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

The campaign, she pointed out, could be undertaken by groups
or individuals interested in women's affairs.

Indonesia has laws which protect women from discrimination,
but implementation has been lax, she said. "Approach to the
legislative and executive bodies will help us in taking action
against those who discriminate against women," Mely said.

The workshop on "Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific
through the Women's Convention: A Call to Action", which opened
on Thursday, is organized by the Asia Pacific Women in Politics
Network and the Convention Watch Group of the Women's Studies
Graduate Program of University of Indonesia.

More than 40 participants from 13 countries are attending.

Cambodian Pok Panhavicheir said lobbying policymakers has
proven effective in the fight against discrimination against
women.

"Following the establishment of the democratic government in
1993, Cambodian women lobbied for constitutional equal rights. As
a result our women enjoy full equal rights in the constitution,"
Panhavicheir said.

Inequality

Previously, she said, Cambodian women suffered from
inequality. Today, the Cambodian Constitution states that
"household work is equal to work done outside the home", and
specifies women's equal rights to participate in all aspects of
society.

"Since the 1993 election, women represent 6 percent of the
members in the National Assembly," Panhavicheir said.

Tapi Omas Ihromi of Women's Studies Graduate Program at
University of Indonesia said women are still discriminated
against because not many people understand that Indonesia has
ratified the Convention on Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination Against Women.

The convention was adopted by the United Nations' General
Assembly in 1979. Indonesia ratified it in 1984.

"The ratification is proof that Indonesia is committed to
pursue a policy of gender equality," she said. "Measures have
been taken to remove barriers which constrain the attainment of
the goal of equal treatment of men and women in all spheres of
life."

The Convention Watch has initiated programs to educate the
public about the convention, especially groups which are
considered to have the potential to help women such as the press
and legal aid offices, she said. (31)