House Of Representatives Chairperson: Women's Leadership Proven To Create Side-by-Side Policies

Chairperson of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (ANTARA/HO-DPR)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the DPR, Puan Maharani, reminded that women's leadership is proven to be able to create policies that favor women's interests.

Therefore, to coincide with the commemoration of Kartini Day on Thursday, Puan hopes that women can fill more seats in the DPR and other legislative bodies.

"With more and more women sitting in strategic positions such as the DPR, the policies taken can also be more in favor of women," said Puan Maharani in a written statement quoted by Antara, Thursday, April 21.

He said the number of women who are members of the DPR continues to increase every year. The number of female DPR members in the 2019–2024 period reached 118 people or reached 20.5 percent of the total 575 members elected during the 2019 General Election.

This number increased compared to the 2014–2019 period, where the number of female DPR members was 97 people.

The increase in the number was also followed by the ratification of several laws that favor women's interests, one of which is the Act on the Crime of Sexual Violence (UU TPKS).

Puan, the first woman to become the chairman of the DPR, also chaired the plenary meeting for the ratification of the TPKS Law.

However, Puan reminded that the struggle of women in Indonesia must be carried out through other channels besides politics. The key is, she emphasized that women must be consistent in fighting for their vision and continue to contribute to the progress of the nation and state.

"Don't ever give up. If you still want to try. Don't let regret come because you are one step away from winning," said Puan Maharani quoting one of Raden Ajeng (RA) Kartini's writings.

Puan said women's struggles could also see Sarinah's figure so that when women were at the helm they would remember that their power must be used for the benefit of the "little people".

Sarinah is a woman whose name was immortalized by Bung Karno as one of the first tall buildings in Jakarta.

Sarinah has been part of the Bung Karno family since her youth. According to Puan, Sarinah is not just a household assistant, but has become part of the family.

From Sarinah, Bung Karno received a lot of love and affection, and learned to love “little people”, said Puan.

This lesson will also inspire Puan during her time in politics until she finally becomes the Speaker of the DPR.