Women pledge to fight for political rights

Women pledge to fight for political rights

By Rita A. Widiadana

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian women, like most of their
counterparts in Asia, still face numerous obstacles when entering
politics. Despite the difficulty, they continue fighting for
their right to access political power, says a woman politician.

Aisyah Amini, chairperson of Commission I of the House of
Representatives overseeing foreign affairs as well as defense and
security affairs, told The Jakarta Post early last week that
Indonesian women's share in national politics remains
insignificant compared to their male colleagues' share.

"There is a misconception of women politicians in society.
Many people are of the opinion that politics is not a woman's
world. Our culture says women shouldn't be politicians because
politicians have to be open, outspoken, straightforward," says
Aisyah, a vocal House member from the United Development Party.

Aisyah points out that there are internal and external
constraints that prevent women from participating in politics.

The biggest obstacle is actually the women themselves, she
argues.

"Most Indonesian girls are raised to be quiet, obedient
housewives," Aisyah explains.

"When women enter politics, they are considered as going
against their destiny," she maintains.

She believes male politicians try to reinforce this by saying
that politics isn't for women, that people waste their votes by
voting for a woman.

Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a noted political scientist, adds that the
current political system has also contributed to the lessening of
a woman's political role.

All three political groups, for instance, have only promoted a
small number of women candidates to become House members. The
number of women who hold politically important positions, like
the director general of a ministry, can be counted on your
fingers.

"It is important to make significant changes in the recruiting
of female membership in political parties or organizations to
enable women to be more active in politics," Dewi said.

Official data shows that there are only 62 women in the House,
or 12.4 percent of the 500 members. In the early l960s, there
were only 27 women, or about 9 percent of 350 members of DPRGR
(House of Representatives). In the Provisional People's
Consultative Assembly, only 42 of the 661 members were women --
about 7 percent. Of the 1,078 members of the regional houses of
representatives in the country (at that time 25 provinces), there
were only 65 women -- also 7 percent of the total.

The small number of women in the House affects the
government's policy on women's issues, Dewi says.

"We still face problem in that most men don't care about
women's issues, although the issues concern all layers of
society. If we get more women in politics, they may raise the
issues and there will be a focus on the total picture, not just
half of it," Dewi explains.

Yulfita Rahardjo, director of the Demographic Study Center at
the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, reveals that the small
number of female House members clearly reflects the gender
inequality of the nation's political scene.

"This gender inequality has placed women as subordinate
members of society," Yulfita adds.

This gender inequality in politics is actually happening in
most parts of the world. Recent data from the United Nations
reveal that on average, only one house seat in 10 is occupied by
a woman. The figures range from 30 percent in Scandinavia to just
4 percent in Arab countries. Worldwide, only 6 percent of
government ministers are women. There have been only 21 women
heads of state or government since the turn of the century. Ten
are still occupying the posts.

History

Despite the fact that a number of prominent women, including
Queen Sima from the 8th century Hindu kingdom of Kalingga in
Central Java and Queen TriBhuwana Tunggadewi from the powerful
Majapahit Kingdom, had ruled part of the Indonesian archipelago,
Indonesian women didn't really attempt to exercise their
political rights until the l920s.

Historian Riyadi Gunawan wrote in Dinamika Gerakan Perempuan
Indonesia, (The Dynamics of the Indonesian Women's Movement),
that Indonesian women entered the most fundamental period in
their fight for political rights in the 1920s. The emergence of
numerous women organizations, including Puteri Mardiko, Puteri
Indonesia, Wanita Taman Siswa and Jong Islamiten Bond provided
special fora for women's aspirations in social and political
areas. Most of the organizations were established to increase
women's awareness on nationalism and anti-colonialism.

Kongres Perempuan I, the first women's congress in Yogyakarta
in l928, was a significant milestone for Indonesian women, he
added.

Another big step was made in l938 when a number of Indonesian
women successfully obtained the right to be included in the Dutch
sponsored parliament Gemeenteraad (provincial-based parliament).
Four Indonesian women were elected as members. Emma Puradiredja
represented Bandung (West Java), Sri Umayati represented Cirebon
(West Java), Sunaryo Mangunpuspito represented Semarang (Central
Java), and Siti Sundari Sudirman represented Surabaya (East
Java).

After Indonesia gained its independence in l945, several
prominent women, including Maria Ulfah Santoso (now Maria Ulfah
Subadio), Nany Sudarsono, Haryati Subadio, held positions as
cabinet members. In l993, Megawati Soekarnoputri was elected as
the first chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party.

Dewi states that Indonesian women have the opportunity to
achieve top level political positions.

The Indonesian government has ratified the United Nations
Convention on political rights for women, issued on Dec. 20,
l952.

"There is no written rules in Indonesia that prevent women
from entering politics. But, in reality, women still face various
social impediments. Equality before the law is not being achieved
here," Dewi comments.

Translating the law into action is very crucial, she says. The
government, she maintains, should be forced to make concrete
political commitments to implement the law. Dewi also stresses
the importance of eliminating social values that place women in
subordinate positions to men.

"As long as people still hold these values, women will face
difficulties in joining politics," she argues.

Aisyah, however, believes that women should improve their
knowledge and political skill if they want to plunge into this
"harsh" area.

"Women have to show that they deserve a place in politics,"
Aisyah argues.

Dewi contends that knowledge, capability and opportunity are
not enough to create a tough woman politician.

"Women should also have idealism and a strong will to become a
good politician. It is not a part-time career. It is a demanding
job that requires a dedicated person. The problem is only a few
women are willing to undertake it," Dewi says.