Women legislative candidates cheated

JAKARTA: The Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) said on Friday the low representation of women in the House of Representatives was a result of the poor electoral system and the reluctance of political parties to accept women politicians.

"Many women legislative candidates were "cheated" by the system and the parties," Cetro's program director Ani Sutjipto said in a discussion on women and politics at the Office of the State Minister for Women's Empowerment.

She said many political parties intentionally placed women candidates lower down on the list or in areas that were not their strongholds.

Despite the 30 percent quota recommended by the Election Law, only 61 women gained a seat in the House in the April 5 election or 11 percent of the 550-strong House. -- JP