Jakarta – Several female politicians have established a caucus that aims to raise public awareness of the role that women can play in running the affairs of state.

We come from various political parties. But here [in the caucus], we abandon our parties interests, and focus on women as a whole, Female Politicians Caucus leader Miranti Abidin was quoted as saying by Antara yesterday.

Miranti, a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said the caucus was established because the reform movement had failed to empower women. This is an effort to empower women. to make them more active, particularly in the political arena, she said.

Miranti said the nations strong patriarchal culture is still adopted by society and has caused Indonesian women to be marginalized.

Caucus Deputy Chairwoman Juniwati Masjchun Sofwan said the right of women to be involved in politics must be respected, especially when Indonesia implements the district system in the 2004 general election.

Thus, women will not only be active at the central government level. There are many cases in the regions, where women intending to take an active role in politics have been obstructed by society, or even by their husbands, said Sofwan, who is a member of Golkar Party.

The Female Politicians Caucus is to be officially inaugurated by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Womens Empowerment Minister Khofifah Indar Parwansa. The caucus consists of a number of departments, which include education, legal affairs and advocacy, culture and social affairs, and public relations. Our focus will be education and training, especially in the provinces, said Sofwan.

Although it is called the Female Politicians Caucus, membership is open to all women, making it possible for non-politicians to join, including women from non-governmental organizations.

Even men are eligible for membership, so long as they are gender-sensitive, said Miranti. She has invited prominent male figures including political analysts Arbi Sanit and Andi Alfian Malarangeng, and film director Garin Nugroho to join the Caucus Council of Experts.