PKS women organize series of events to honor international women day

Jakarta — toward the 10th years of Indonesian Reformation and 100th years of Indonesian Awakening, the progress records of Indonesian women has not been as expected. Many problems related Indonesian women are still surface. For example, according to The National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) 2005 data, the average length of women in school is only 6.8 years, compared to men (7.8 years). Moreover, the number of illiterate of Indonesian women is even higher from men i.e., 12.4%, while Indonesian men’s is only 5.6%.

Even though the number of life expectancy of Indonesian women (71.1 years) is higher from Indonesian men (67.1%), but mortality rates of mother in Indonesia is the highest in ASEAN. The participation of Indonesian women in the economy sector is even more discouraging. For instance, out of 105.8 millions of Indonesian labor force only 37.4% of them are women, with 13.5 % of reported unemployment level, while unemployment level of Indonesian men is only 8.28%.

Besides, violent crimes towards Indonesia women still frequently occur including rape cases and sexual harassment. More disturbing fact, the violence victims tend to be criminalized by the crime executor. It is obvious that witness-protection-and-victim laws had not been yet protecting women as victims of violent crime.

“There are still many agendas that are intended to solve the problems that happen to the Indonesian women that has not been accomplished yet”, said Ledia Hanifa, BS, M.Psi, the Chief Executive of Women’s Affair Department of Central Executive Council of Prosperous Justice Party (DPP PKS). Hence, in order to commemorate the international women day on March 8, 2008 and the 2008 Kartini’s day (in April), and as a kick off activity for the 10th birthday of PKS next April, The Women’s affair Department of DPP PKS wants to contribute in improving the condition of Indonesia women, continued Ledia.

For that reason, Women’s Affair Department of DPP PKS will conduct series of activities, as follows:

1. Figures Visit to the 100 Pearls of the Nation
“As young politicians, PKS women want to establish relationship with multi partners. Particularly with women who for many years have dedicated themselves for the development of Indonesian women”, Ledia said.

The purpose of visiting these 100 women figures is to share experiences in conducting the movements in improving Indonesian women. Moreover, from the one-month long visiting activities, that begun on February 21st up to the coming March 21st, for all over Indonesia, PKS women hopes that they can finalize the concept of improving women’s futures, which is still drafted at internal Women’s Affair Department of PKS at this time. The 100 nation pearl women figures that have been and will be visited among others: Megawati Soekarno Putri, Ani SBY, Nia Dinata, Erna Witoelar, Saparinah Sadly, Aisyah Girindra, Huzaemah T. Yanggo, NH Dini, wife of deceased Bung Tomo, and the wife of deceased AH. Nasution.

2. National Symposium
This symposium is aimed to consolidate and synchronize the perceptions among women activists in order to improve the condition of Indonesian women. This event is planned to be attended by 70 Indonesian women figures, which come from various backgrounds such as political parties, universities, bureaucrats, and woman activists. By having the theme “Political Empowerment of Women: It is the time for woman to determine”, plan of action (Action Agenda) to improve and to prosper Indonesian women will be formulated and agreed. Moreover, this plan of action will be a confirmation of Bali Commitment for the Indonesian woman i.e., an agreement of Indonesian women base on cross religion, cross-political parties, and cross by interest group, that has been formulated in PKS Annual National Conference at beginning of February in Bali.

This symposium activity to be held on March 7, 2008 at Utari Parikesit Room Bumi Karsa Bidakara Hotel, and will be attended by Minister of Women Empowerment as keynote speaker, and will closed by the leader of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly DR. Hidayat Nur Wahid.

3. Sympathy Rally
In addition, coincided with International Women Day, March 8, 2008, PKS women activist together with various elements of women from cross religion, cross-political parties, and cross institution, will be conducting a sympathize rally with the theme, “Lets save Indonesian Women, Now” at Indonesian-Hotel circle, Jakarta. The aim of this event which will be attended by 100 figures and Indonesian woman activist is to gain people awareness regarding the issues related Indonesian women.