Indonesia

The Indonesian Women’s Caucus for Politics (KPPI) in Bali has started a movement for the greater representation of women in the legislature for the 2014 general elections. 

The caucus will push political parties for a minimum of 30 percent women representation in their organizational structures and in legislative candidacies in next year’s election. 

(We invite our users to read the full article published March 9 2013 by the Jakarta Post)

Constitutional law professor Yusril Ihza Mahendra has questioned the 30 percent quota for women in the Indonesian electoral system, doubting the legal foundation of the quota and expressing a desire for the Constitutional Court to repeal it.
Many women have defended the policy. The issue of quotas for women has provoked tough debate in Indonesia and in the world. Do we need such gender-biased policies?

(Read full article at: The Jakarata Post)

The Asia Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to Asia's development since 1954, announced today it has signed an agreement with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Indonesia for a three-year, $1.2 million program to increase women's political participation and strengthen good governance in Indonesia.
For more information, please visit Earth Times' Website.

Besides the absence of political will to comply with the legally required quota for women on candidacy lists, the verdict of the Constitutional Court ruling on the majority vote system has dashed the hopes of women seeking to gain 30 percent of seats at the provincial and regency level for the coming five years.
To read the full article, please visit The Jakarta Post's Website.

They were a real political loss, as female candidates who many were former activists failed to win the elections, she said. "It turns out what we called the women movement is really fragile. Many activists have been working at the grass root level for decades, which is supposed to be the place to raise awareness among constituents and get votes," Ani explained.
For more information, please visit The Jakarta Post

With three weeks having passed since the elections, and accusations of discrepancies in the ballot-count being lodged by more than a dozen districts, the KPUD has finally tallied up the votes from all five electoral districts. Of the 94 seats in the city council, 32 went to the Democratic Party, 18 to the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and 11 to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), data from the Jakarta General Election Commission (KPUD) shows.

Indonesia’s direct legislative election in April was a resounding success for women candidates. But instead of rejoicing, activists and political observers say it is unlikely to help the cause of women’s rights.

Indonesia’s direct legislative election in April was a resounding success for women candidates. But instead of rejoicing, activists and political observers say it is unlikely to help the cause of women’s rights.

Indonesia’s direct legislative election in April was a resounding success for women candidates. But instead of rejoicing, activists and political observers say it is unlikely to help the cause of women’s rights.
To read the full article please visit the IPS News website.