Nurfika Osman – The increase in the number of women in the House of Representatives for the 2009-14 term to 17.68 percent of all lawmakers does not guarantee that the rights of women will be advanced, the National Commission on Violence Against Women said on Wednesday.

Kamala Chandrakirana, head of the commission, also known as Komnas Perempuan, said the quality of the representatives was more important than the quantity in crafting laws that supported women and children.

"There are female legislators who support male domination policies and men who support female-oriented policies," Kamala said. "Thus the quantity does not guarantee that women's needs will be fulfilled."

Female lawmakers only made up 11.45 percent of the House for the 2004-9 term.

Kamala added, however, that Komnas Perempuan was pleased to see more women in the legislature, and hoped that the increase would translate into more pro-women legislation.

"We are content with the result even though the 30 percent quota was not reached, and we hope male and female legislators in the House can have a good synergy to create more comprehensive policies that support women," she said.

As an example of the need to create more women-friendly legislation, she cited the controversial Pornography Law, which she said limited women's right to control their bodies, including what clothes they wore.

Kamala added that women's struggle in politics should not stop even if the 30 percent quota for female members of the House was reached. "Our fight against discrimination is still very long and Komnas Perempuan will always spread awareness about women's rights in Indonesia," she said.

Separately, Ribka Tjiptaning, head of House Commission IX, which deals with health issues, said that women lawmakers had less strength in the legislature when it came to passing laws.

"In the decision making, our position is not strong, even if male legislators at first agree with us [women] when we discuss matters," Ribka said.

She said that women in the House were at a leadership disadvantage. "Many parties, such as Golkar, the Democratic Party, the National Mandate Party and the National Awakening Party, do not give women the chance to be leaders within the House," she said. "You see male domination. I [was the only woman] to head one of the House's 11 commissions."

Ribka expressed regret that women's voices were not being heard despite there being numerous competent female lawmakers. "Most women in the House are smart and they are also more diligent and careful than the men," she said.

"I hope women will never stop struggling for their rights, and that more women will join the political world," Ribka said. "Women should start thinking that we have to grab the chance to improve conditions."