Women's power

It's lonely at the top, they say, and it must be true also for President Megawati Soekarnoputri, from whom the nation expects so much. Any other leader would find the going equally rough in this time of transition, but public expectations of Megawati are very high. When she was pushed to the number one job in July, she was expected to give "a woman's touch" -- envisaged as values such as compassion, persuasion and cooperation instead of violence and power -- despite history revealing that many female leaders could be equally as cruel and despotic as their male counterparts.

More importantly, the reason why women's groups are pushing for more female representation in government today is because they are grossly underrepresented. The push for more women in the nation's decision-making processes, is what today, December 22, or Women's Day, should be all about.

The New Order regime must be blamed for virtually destroying the social and political achievements brought about by the First Indonesian Women's Congress on Dec. 22, 1928. The historical significance of that event, which called for women's emancipation, has sadly been reduced, even to this day, to a mere Hari Ibu, or the equivalent of Mother's Day.

This is not to say that on this important day, we should stop sending flowers to our mothers. But it is worth remembering too that while women's roles are exulted on this day, most women still have little say with regard to matters which affect their life.

Few people in this country would readily admit to rampant sexual discrimination practices, yet various studies found many gender-insensitive policies and practices which in the end affect the wellbeing of millions of women. For example, a woman has little chance of securing bank loans today because most collateral assets are under her husband's name. Another, of many examples, is the absence of women in public meetings to discuss community projects.

Putting aside the misnomer about Hari Ibu, this is an appropriate time to renew our commitment to enhance women's roles in society. All women must learn to delegate their household tasks, and must also be encouraged and enabled to speak up and to assert their rights.

More women should be involved in decision making processes in this country for the simple reason that they are in a far better position than men in understanding the delicate, unseen realities and the impacts of well-intentioned policies affecting women, who make up half the country's population.

Women in high positions must stop being complacent or hide behind false rhetoric about the equality enjoyed by Indonesian women. Such an attitude is a great disservice to the gender and is preventing more women from moving up in society.

The Office of the State Minister for Women's Empowerment has started campaigning to improve women's participation in policy- making processes. Progress, however, has been painfully slow.

The suggestion that there should be a minimum quota for women to fill top government posts must go hand in hand with the promotion of greater access to education for women. Without quotas, it's easy to overlook women because many of them are not promoting themselves for positions, overwhelmed as they are in juggling responsibilities outside and inside the home.

We take heart that more and more women are now running for public offices, and are winning them, as evidenced by the increasing appointment of women as regency chiefs and mayors.

As welcome as the appointment of Megawati as president is, she is hardly the figure to lead the feminist cause. She may be an excellent role model for aspiring young girls, but most see in her a leader with neither awareness of women's issues, or one that gives a woman's touch. She has yet to address the concerns of millions of women in refugee camps and those who have lost their menfolk in mindless conflicts in this country these last three years.

Nevertheless, Megawati's "non-violence" approach to problems is important in the search for policies to overcome the suffering in many of the nation's conflict areas. Women's groups must make the best of Megawati's position in promoting their message of peace, to enable more inspiration among potential female leaders.