1,000 women to meet six governor hopefuls

Three women’s organizations — the Indonesian Women Congress (Kowani), the Female Circle and the Women’s Forum for Excellence — are organizing a forum for Jakarta’s six gubernatorial candidates to come face to face with 1,000 women.

Kowani chairperson Dewi Motik Pramono, said on Friday that Perempuan Jakarte Nyari Gubernur (Jakarta Women Seek a Governor) would help women understand the candidates’ intentions on women’s issues. “Democratic power is in the hands of women, and it’s time they realized it. By meeting candidates directly, women can hear their views on issues which are rarely discussed in TV debates,” she said.

Head of the Women’s Forum For Excellence, Tatyana Sutara, said that the number of women who vote is high, but their political awareness is low. “We must educate women to make well-informed choices,” she said.

The event will be held at the Balai Sarbini convention hall in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. Women wishing to attend must register at the Female Circle Facebook page.