Indonesia now has most women MPs in post-Reform era: Fauzi

Jakarta (ANTARA) –
Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Choiri Fauzi has commended the increased women’s representation in Indonesia’s parliament, with the current legislature recording the most women members in the post-Reform era.

“As we had 120 women legislators elected for the House of Representatives (DPR) in the 2019 election, the number increased to 127 out of 580 MPs after the 2024 election,” she pointed out at a national seminar on women’s representation in the 2024–2029 parliament here on Tuesday.

Although the current number of women legislators is still below the ideal of 174 or 30 percent of MPs, the increase reflects that positive steps for creating a more inclusive parliament have continued, she said.

Increased women’s representation in parliament is essential to ensure that the laws and policies enacted in the country consider women’s interests and rights, the minister explained.

“The difference in need, experience, and perspective between men and women shall be a reference for women legislators in bolstering the legislature’s performance in lawmaking, monitoring, and budgeting processes,” Fauzi said.

She pointed out that the number of female legislators serving as chairs and deputy chairs of parliamentary organs has also increased from 11 out of 87 (12.6 percent) in 2019–2024 to 21 out of 105 (20 percent), including the DPR deputy speaker, in the current period.

The organs of the House of Representatives currently comprise 13 commissions and seven committees.

“However, despite the progress, women legislators are still not represented in many strategic positions, including leadership of the budget, legislation, state financial accountability, and ethics committees,” she highlighted.

Fauzi also underlined the lack of women’s leadership in House commissions, including Commission VIII, which oversees women’s empowerment policies; Commission I, which manages defense and foreign relations; and Commission XI, which is responsible for state finance.

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