J

akarta’s hopeful governors and their running mates are competing to lure women voters, half of eligible voters in the upcoming election.

Of 8 million voters in the city, 50 percent are female, according to a book entitled Proyeksi Penduduk Indonesia (Indonesia Population Projection) in 2013 by the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas).

Aware of the golden opportunity, the candidates are creating strategic programs targeting female voters; from providing household subsidies to extending maternity leave.

The campaign team of incumbents Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat is relying on the pair’s existing programs, as it believes they reach women.

“Fulfilling the needs of children and teenagers are our strategies to make women comfortable. [The needs can be fulfilled with], for example, the Jakarta Smart Card [KJP] or Jakarta Health Card,” said Ahok-Djarot successor spokesman Wibi Andriano, referring to the city’s existing programs.

Meanwhile, Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno are drafting plans that aim to “not only help mothers but also children”, including extending maternity leave from the current three months to six months.

Under the plan, mothers will receive an allowance from both their workplaces and the Jakarta administration during maternity leave, said Anies-Sandiaga campaign team spokesman Mardani Ali.

Aside from that, the team also pledges to provide pregnant women with medical aid, he added.

“When women are pregnant, their problems are also that of the state, as well as the city. […] Women are crucial for the good of the nation and our families,” said Mardani, adding that his team did not consider women as a vote source but as an important stake of a country.

While other candidates have begun forming plans, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni have yet to come up with programs targeting female voters.

The candidates, along with their team, are focusing on meeting people in the city to learn of their needs, as the campaign period has yet to begin, claimed the team’s spokesman, Rico Rustombi, on Tuesday.

On that day, Agus and his team met residents of Koja, North Jakarta. He was not accompanied by Sylviana but, instead, his wife, former model Anisa Pohan.

“This is Anisa’s initiative. She wants to listen to the needs of women in Koja,” Rico further claimed. “If Agus is elected, women’s needs will be looked after. That should be overseen by Anisa as the governor’s wife.”

To Betty Sokawaty, a mother of two college students, poor security is the biggest issue for female residents in the city, particularly in the evening. “I used to be brave enough to wander around by myself. Now, I am no longer brave because crimes have increased. […] There has not been much improvement in security,” said Betty, who has been living in the capital since 1991.

An Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) survey revealed recently that among female voters, Ahok and Djarot maintained a lead with 36.4 percent of the vote.

They are followed by Anies and Sandiaga with 21.4 percent and Agus and Sylviana with 19.1 percent.

“Ahok is still able to charm female voters. This can be a positive point for his team,” said LSI researcher, Adjie Alfaraby, as quoted by kompas.com, last week.