Women show awareness of need of vote

JAKARTA (JP): A barrage of advertisements have emphasized the right of women to make their own decision in Monday's elections. Some ads have attempted to raise women's awareness of the need to vote for parties which focus on improving conditions for women. What do women themselves say? The following are excerpts from interviews with women from cities across the country with The Jakarta Post correspondents Asip Agus Hasani, Yusril Ardanis and Agus Maryono:

Ratna, 18-year-old high school graduate from Pati, Central Java:

"My parents are civil servants (who used to be obliged to vote for Golkar) but I will choose whatever party I want. June 7 will be the first time I'll vote. I'm still confused about which party to vote for. I've been seeking information about the parties from friends, my parents, television and newspapers. I don't like the television campaigns, but I do get a lot of information on parties (from them), although they won't influence my choice much. I'm considering between the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) because they're among the largest parties. I might not choose the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) because it's not a Muslim party. (PAN and PKB rely on Muslims' votes, although they assert they are inclusive).

The leaders (of PKB and PAN), Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid) and Amien Rais, are very popular here, especially Gus Dur. Maybe I am influenced by friends and neighbors. Both party's programs also claim to offer a change for the better.

For me, the important change we need regards more access to education. I'm not from a rich family. And we need better teachers. I hate math because the teacher can't teach it.

Now I want to enter Gadjah Mada University, but I don't feel I can make it, which is why I'm attending a course which my parents have to pay extra for."

Kamsiah, 56, vegetable vendor at Padang market, West Sumatra: "I'll vote for PAN. I once voted for the United Development Party (PPP), but Golkar won. The last time I was sure PPP would win but it lost. So I'll choose PAN because ... Amien Rais is a leader from Muhammadiyah (a Muslim organization) and he often makes speeches on television. I also like the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) because yesterday a campaigner walked into the market saying the party would fight for traders like me."

Nurbaiti, 30, housewife in Tunggul Hitam, Padang:

"So far, no party fights for women's rights. We housewives are only confined to the well, the kitchen and the bedroom. I am a university graduate, although only with a diploma degree. I've looked for a job for years until I got married and had children. Even though I have children, I hope that women like myself can work to support the family. Which party can promise this? Maybe PDI Perjuangan, because if Megawati became president, she might fight for women."

Luzi Diamanda, 34, reporter with Suara Padang Radio:

"The election may not be free and fair because a number of parties are clearly upholding the status quo. Fraud is evident, especially in remote areas. I will not vote. I cannot see parties ready with new concepts; just parties fighting for their own interests."

Uswatun Hasanah, 23, student at Purwokerto Muslim School (STAIN), Central Java: "I will vote for PKB. I hope the next government will recover the trust of the international community and that it will be more democratic. Then theater groups on campus won't be prevented from performing. I also hope women's political rights will be made equal to men. That's the consequence of a democratic nation."

Mrs. Djalaluddin, 37, housewife in East Purwokerto: "I hope things will be normal and safe again after the elections. I hope prices come back to normal. There are so many parties, I'm confused, but maybe I'll choose Golkar because my husband is a civil servant and a physician. Elections used to be safe with only three parties... now there are rallies every day and my car once was scratched. I also hope women will be paid more attention to after the polls. Look at the Purbalingga case (in which Golkar supporters were harassed) when women were forced to remove their (Golkar) clothing. This is harassment. I hope the new government can act more strictly against such people."

Millatul Azisah, 28, housewife in Purwokerto Lor: "I hope prices will come back to normal. All parties now are the same, they just give promises. What's important is that the future government creates enough jobs for women so that they don't have to leave the country in droves to become migrant workers."