Increasing Women Political Participation in Indonesia

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Integration WorkshopBali, 19 February 2014

Women Political Representation in National Parliament

1950

- 19

55

1955

- 19

60

1971

- 19

77

1977

- 19

82

1982

- 19

87

1987

- 19

92

1992

- 19

97

1997

- 19

99

1999

- 20

04

2004

- 20

09

2009

- 20

14

0.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%

10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%

3.8%6.3%

7.8%6.3%

8.5%

13.0%12.5%

10.8%9.0%

11.6%

18.0%

Women Representation in Indonesia

Parliament Period

Perc

enta

ge

Women civil servants in 34 Ministries

women; 41%

men; 59%

N = 503,554Data from 2011

Evolution of TAF’s Election and Women Political Participation program

1999

First democratic electionTAF supported the

establishment of the first national network for voters education

and election observers, voters’

survey

Challenges• In experienced

EMBs• Voter registration• Very low% women

elected due to political fragmentation

2004Legislative

election + first direct

presidential election

TAF supported comprehensive

election observation, voters survey, media campaign, training

elected women parliamentarian

Challenges• Voter registration• Result counting

and verification• Insignificant effect

or increase after quota

2005-2009

First local direct elections +legislative election

TAF supported election observation,

voter surveys, candidates training,

media campaign, advocacy for

improvement of quota system, caucus

Challenges• Voter registration• Vote buying• Fraud counted by

EMBs• Low quota

compliance • Lack of donor

support

2012-2014

Legislative election + local direct elections

TAF supported research on election

budget, quota, independent verification of

election. TAF is supporting

voters information, voter education,

candidates training, and verification of

election resultsChallenges• Tracking

candidates (records, promises)

• Vote buying• Resistance to

international assistance

Indonesia Election in numbers

• Over 180 million registered voters (an additional 3 million overseas voters)

Approximately 6 million Indonesians employed in administering, supervising and securing the elections

Seat contested: • 560 seats for National Parliament• 132 seats for Regional Representatives (DPD) • 2,112 seats for Provincial Parliaments • 16, 895 seats for Regents / Cities Parliaments

Approximately 200,000 candidates 12 national parties and 3 local parties in Aceh

2014 Elections• 9 April 2014: Legislative Elections (for national,

provincial and regional parliaments)• 9 July 2014: Presidential Election• 20 September 2014: Second-round of Presidential

Election (if necessary)

Ongoing: Regional Head elections (average of one election every 3-4 days in Indonesia)

Checklist gender mainstreaming in election programElectoral Issues Gender issues Program

StrategiesWomen’s Political Participation: Women’s political participation is not only about voting, but also about women becoming advocates, activists, political party members and candidates. Political parties often control decisions about nominations for public office, positions on the candidates’ lists and support during campaigns and after the elections.

• What is the role of political parties in determining women’s opportunities sin running for public office?

• To what extent have women’s specific issues become part of national political debates and been given serious consideration in the work of the legislature?

• What was the experience of women who ran for office in the last elections at the national and local levels?

• Election Observation that capture the challenges for women to be running for public office

• Voters Education on promoting gender issues to be discussed by candidates.

• Capacity building for women candidates

Checklist gender mainstreaming in election programElectoral Issues Gender Issues Program

StrategiesVoter Registration:To be able to participate in voting in Indonesia, one must be registered and appear on the voters list. Regardless of the type of system used for voters’ registration, the lists should be compiled in a manner that is clear and transparent, and voters should have an easy way to check for mistakes and correct inaccuracies. The accuracy and inclusiveness of the lists are important in ensuring the full participation of women voters.

• Is information on registration (dates, timing and registration process) accessible for all eligible women and men voters in all localities?

• Are there mechanisms to be followed that ensure the right of illiterate women or those with difficulty in communicating to register as voters?

• Are the voters’ lists already with the disaggregated information of women and men voters, age, ethnicity, and geographical location?

• Election Observation on voters registration

• Voters Education on how to vote? (ensuring voters understand the election processes from registration to voting)

Checklist gender mainstreaming in election programElectoral Issues Gender Issues Program

StrategiesVoter Information and Education: Voter education is an important and critical measure to enhance women’s participation in elections, specifically when women are not used to playing an active role in elections and political processes. Voter education includes the dissemination of basic election information (“voter information”), such as that regarding voting rights, the election system, parties and candidates, as well as where, when and how to vote.

• Are voter education programs conducted with consideration to gender and specific needs of women and men at all levels?

• Do voter education messages promote a positive image of women as leaders and politicians in order to encourage women’s participation in political processes?

• To what extent are women involved in the design of voter information and education programs and materials?

• Conducting baseline survey

• Assessment on partners capacity

• Engaging various type of partners (CSO, academics / universities, election commissions, etc).

2009 and 2014 Election: Increased the Electability of Women Candidates

Assessment on women candidates

and legislators

Developing tools /

instruments

Capacity Building

through: -Trainings,

-Mentoring, -Constituent

meeting, -Media-

campaign

Spatial Distribution of Women’s Candidacy in 2009 Election

Regions with women candidates < 29%Regions with women candidates ≥ 29%

Local condition has strong impact on women’s candidacy. Amongst many factors are: access, participation, culture, non-functioning political parties, weak economic condition, weak civil society organizations and network.

Assessment 2009 Elections Results

No. 1 No. 2 No.3 No.40%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

National

Provincial

Regents / Cities

44%

29%

20%

7%

41%

20%24%

14%

41%

23%18% 18%

Elected women candidates and their po-sition on candidates lists

National Provincial Regents / Cities

Representation and parties numbers

National 9 parties18% women

Provincial38 parties obtained seats 16% women

Regents / Cities43 parties obtained seats12% women

Trainings for women candidates

2009 Election 2014 Election

Number of training 15 trainings 25 trainings Number of participants

487 women candidates

934 women candidates

Elected 107 women … Training Materials:

Women and Politics Meaningful representation in politics Election Systems Targeting your votes Campaign strategies

Post election program approaches

Capacity-building for women legislators and

candidates

Partnerships with executives

Empowerment of women at grassroots

level

Increasing number of discriminatory local regulations

2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

154

189207

282

342

Strengthened public participati

on in elections

Improved capacity and sustainability of CSO and

university partnersImproved

communication between

CSO / university

partners and EMBs

Strengthened CSO

coordination and

information sharing

Better independent verification of

elections

Electorate makes better-

informed voting decisions

Australia Indonesia Electoral Support Program (AIESP)

2013 Perception Survey

Objectives: • Strategies for voters education and voters information • Recommendations to CSO, EMBs (KPU)

Respondents:• 2.760 respondents, 460 in each province (over-sampled 3

x 30 respondents) Data collection:

• September – October 2013 Location:

• AIESP areas: DKI Jakarta, Aceh, East Java, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, NTT

Survey Results 1

women3%

men44%no dif -

ference48%

not know5%

When men and women candidates has equal background, who would you prefer to represent

you?

Survey Results 1 (cont.)

representation for promoting women rights

more attentive

sensitive

less corrupt

more wisely

0.00% 50.00% 100.00%

63.50%

8.10%

6.80%

4.10%

4.10%

Why vote for women?

men born to be a leader

religious teaching

firm

charismatic

responsible

stronger

wise

more active

quick response

0.00%

10.00

%20

.00%

30.00

%40

.00%

34%

18%

30%

10%

6%

6%

3%

3%

2%

Why vote for men?

Survey Results 2

Will not vote for him / her

77%

Will consider to vote 12%

Not know11%

Will you vote for a candidate living with disabil-ity?

Building sustainable partnerships

22

Strengthened and sustainable civic

participation in elections

Universitie

s

Research &

Advocacy Organizati

ons

Community Based Organiza

tions

Working tools Please contact natalia.warat@asiafoundation.org to see these tools.

AIESP M&E Plan AIESP Gender Action Plan AIESP Online Monitoring and Evaluation

Platform: www.monevelectiontaf.com Partner Report template:

• Activity report• Quarterly report

Report template to DFAT Monitoring & Evaluation for Norway Pro

gram

1. Expand the meaning and practices of political representation through increase in women candidacy and electability also take opportunity to push for equitable public policy agenda.

2. Draft common agenda to eliminate inequality in power relationship; recognize and reject gender blind attitude in political institutions.

3. Strengthen network and coalition amongst women leaders, decision makers with civil society organizations and activist, as well as women’s community at the grass-root level.

Urgency of New Agenda for Women in Politics

THE END