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Women urged to fight for the environment

Jakarta Post - March 7, 2009

Agnes Winarti, Jakarta – Women vying for legislative seats in the general elections next month are being encouraged to get more active in promoting environmental issues.

"We aim to empower female legislative candidates and increase their public profiles by boosting their participation in environment conservation issues," the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) representative for Asia and the Pacific, Erna Witoelar said at a ceremony commemorating International Women's Day, which will take place on March 8.

"Environment awareness is a crucial issue related with the MDGs whose objectives, among others, is to create better health and education, reduce poverty and improve clean water," Erna said.

Some female legislative candidates and officials took part in an event Friday planting almost 750 trees, including mahogany, guava, star-fruit, and mango, at a 5,550-square-meter area in Rawasari, Central Jakarta.

"This tree-planting effort will be a waste if we do not continue to preserve them afterwards," Erna said.

The participants also constructed 500 biopores in an area formerly occupied by ceramics shops. Central Jakarta Mayor Sylviana Murni said these biopores are expected to help absorb water and therefore ease flooding in the neighborhood.

"This open, green space will be the largest of its kind in the municipality," said Sylviana.

Syamsidar Siregar from the National Mandate Party (PAN) said the preservation of the environment should involve everybody in society

"We need to raise awareness and participation among the people," said Syamsidar, who is also a Jakarta councillor running for her second term in the April elections.

Syamsidar said the need to convert 30 percent of the city into green and open spaces was urgent, with currently less than 10 percent of the city scape offering green space.

She promised to improve policy and budget allocations for environmental conservation activities if reelected.

Meanwhile, a candidate from the Democratic Party, Melani Leimena Suharli, highlighted the importance of educating children about healthy and clean environments. "As a woman and mother, I think education about healthy, clean environment should start at a young age," she said.

Some other legislative candidates said the environment and health were inseparable issues. "I believe when the environment is maintained, its occupants also live healthy lives. A healthy life leads to a healthy mind and overall, and much healthier society," said Endang Rudiatin, a candidate from the Crescent Star Party.

Golkar's Watty Amir, who will run in the upcoming elections, vowed that she would monitor the implementation of the law on waste approved by the House last year. Watty is a member of the House of Representatives commission overseeing energy.

According to the 2008 law on political parties, women should comprise at least 30 percent of the House. So far they only account for 11 percent.

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