Jakarta – A national seminar on women and political participation recommended Thursday women seek entry to the political arena by demanding more authority for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), which currently has the largest number of female representatives.
DPD Chairman Ginandjar Kartasasmita said the relatively large role of women in the DPD had little impact on politics, because the council itself lacked legislative authority.
"I'm not sure that the situation will change, unless Indonesia expands the DPD's legislative authority," Ginandjar said.
Some 11 percent of the House of Representatives is currently female, but female politicians make up 21 percent of the DPD.
Ginandjar said there were "no systemic obstacles" for women to become fully involved within the legislature.
"Our constitution is gender-equal and the laws we have do not discourage female politicians, although they also do not encourage their involvement," Ginandjar said.
Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, head of the Caucus of Female Parliamentary Members in Indonesia (KPP RI), reminded the seminar that the struggle for women to be included in politics shouldn't be reduced to the formal quota of 30 percent within the House.
This is the percentage advocated by the United Nations to ensure an adequate voice in any debate. "Women need to be involved in the making of regulations related to sensitive issues like education and health," Gusti said.
"There are more things to think about than debating over such figures."
Gusti said political parties often came up with different kinds of excuses for not being able to include an adequate number of female candidates.
A political observer from the School of Philosophy at the University of Indonesia, Rocky Gerung, said people should consider affirmative action from a different perspective.
"The 30 percent quota should be seen as a cultural debt our patriarchal nation had to pay, with large political interest," Rocky said.
"Encouraging women's involvement in the legislature should come naturally, as an investment'," he said.
Head of Ad Hoc Commission IV of the Regional Representatives Council, Eka Komariah Kuncoro, said women should start advocating more gender-sensitive budgeting.
"The allocated national budget for women's empowerment is only 0.1 percent, while the suggested minimum is 5 percent," Eka said.
"We need more women to be in the position to make a change."
The national seminar titled "Reflective Evaluation of and Setting Up the Agenda for Women's Activity in the Parliament" was held by KPP RI and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) project, the Parliamentary Reform Initiative, and DPD Empowerment (PRIDE). It was held at the Gran Mahakam Hotel in South Jakarta.
The seminar also recommended the government consider the possibility of clearing the way for DPD members to become candidates for the House. (lva)