While President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised a more prominent role for women in his next Cabinet, one of his aides says it is still too early for women to hold more strategic posts.
“One of the most important criteria for a female minister is that she is able to become a pillar of the nation,” Democratic Party deputy chairman Achmad Mubarok told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
“For that, it is essential to have women head up the women’s affairs ministry or social affairs ministry.”
Asked whether he thought women should be given more responsibility by being appointed to lead strategic ministries such as defense and law, he said, “Not yet.”
The current Cabinet boasts only four women: Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, who is also the acting coordinating minister for the economy, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Health Minister Siti Fadila Supari, and State Minister for Women’s Empowerment Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono.
Yudhoyono looks likely to keep Sri Mulyani, Mari and Siti in their current posts.
One prospective call-up to the Cabinet is Evita Legowo, the director general for oil and gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, which she is being tipped to head up.
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