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.