Discussions about gender equality have become a worldwide concern to the world community lately. Almost everyone is starting to get aware that women have the same rights as men in various fields. It is included in the KPU Selection Team in West Papua, where women and men have the same opportunity.
La Ode Alisyah, The Head of the KPU Selection Team, said that the registration for KPU members is also open to women. It is because the women’s representatives in KPU are needed. Especially ahead of the general election, which will be held in 2024, where women also have a voice to vote.
The Minimum Number of Women’s Representatives
This regulation regarding women’s representation in the KPU Selection Team is not without basis. This matter regarding gender equality in the general election has been recorded in the law. To be exact, in PKPU Number 4 of 2023 about General Election Commission Regulations.
The regulation states that there should be at least 30 percent women’s representation in the KPU selection team. The same regulation goes for the West Papuan KPU Selection Team. This is one of the ways to show concern for women’s empowerment, especially in politics and government.
Alisyah said, “The same opportunity is open for all women in West Papua Province.”
Then, Alisyah added that all parties of society hoped that women could also play their role as the general election organizers. In the administrative selection stage, 42 women passed. The representation of women in the KPU Selection Team is around 23,3 percent in West Papua Province.
They have 3 women out of 36 members in KPU Fakfak and 8 women out of 37 members in KPU Kaimana. Then, there are 13 women out of 52 members in KPU Manokwari and 6 women out of 20 members in KPU Manokwari Selatan.
In KPU Bintuni Bay, women’s representatives are 6 out of 25 members. Then, in the KPU of Arfak Mountains, there are 3 women out of 12 members. Last but not least, there are 3 women out of 18 members of the KPU Selection Team in Wondama Bay.
The Selection Process Runs Objectively in Accordance with Regulations
Even though they heavily consider the representatives of women, the selection process for KPU Selection Team members remains objective. So, the selection process of the KPU Selection Team in West Papua runs in accordance with regulations fairly, regardless of the gender of the applicants.
There is no specific policy at the time of selection. Alisyah said that even though some women got into the team, it was because they deserved to be there. There are no special tendencies or coercions at the time when the selection process runs. They pass through the general route, not the special one.
So, they were chosen not only because they are women but because they have the ability. Alisyah hopes that women’s representation will still exist in the next stage. They must remain competitive with other prospective KPU Selection Team members in every selection stage.
What makes this even more interesting is that this concern for women’s representation does not only apply to West Papua. The reason is that the House of Representatives asked all provinces to pay attention to this concern. The women’s representatives must exist at every level of the KPU.
So, the application of the minimum 30 percent of women’s representatives is not only in the KPU Selection Team in West Papua. This is because women’s voices matter, especially in society-related fields, such as politics. It is why the regulations regarding this exist.
