Since the first awakening of the Indonesian women led by the heroic struggle of Raden Ajeng Kartini, who was born in April 20, 1879, the women in the archipelago country have posted the most prestigious position, including President Megawati, incumbent Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who has been declared as the most influencing women in Asia, and many others.
Unfortunately, education still can not be improved maximally due to the lack of budget.
Huge amount of foreign debt, poverty and seismic corruption are among the major challenges which must be addressed by the promising-administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Besides, the government, which has done a lot to overcome such obstacles, has now grappled with soaring global oil prices which have exceeded 120 U.S. dollars a barrel and food crisis. The government must cut over 15 percent of the budget in each ministry, including the ministry for education.
Some have been done by the government, such as the inclusion of four women in the cabinet and the target of 30 percent of women members in the parliament. But the target has not reached yet.
Subowo said the Indonesian culture and habit as a whole does not put women on priority to progress. And housework has also hampered women's social progress, said Subowo.
"The women usually can do something else for their progress, should the economic problem of their family be settled first," she said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2008)
