The 2024 presidential election in Indonesia is shaping up to be a tight race between two prominent candidates: Anies Baswedan, the current governor of Jakarta, and Prabowo Subianto, the former defense minister and leader of the opposition party Gerindra. Both candidates have strong support bases and political alliances, but also face significant challenges and controversies.
One of the most contentious issues in the campaign is the role of women in society and politics. Indonesia ranks 85th out of 156 countries in the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, indicating a wide disparity between men and women in terms of economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment. Women make up only 20.5% of the parliament and 26.7% of the cabinet, and face various forms of discrimination, violence, and harassment in their daily lives.
In a recent interview with a local media outlet, Anies Baswedan criticized Prabowo Subianto’s views on women’s rights and gender equality, calling them “outdated” and “misogynistic”. Baswedan cited several statements made by Subianto in the past that he claimed were demeaning and disrespectful to women, such as:
Baswedan said that these views were not only offensive, but also harmful to the development and progress of Indonesia. He argued that women were equal partners and contributors to the nation, and deserved respect, protection, and empowerment. He also highlighted his own achievements and policies as the governor of Jakarta that aimed to improve the lives and opportunities of women, such as:
Prabowo Subianto responded to Baswedan’s criticism by dismissing it as a “cheap political stunt” and a “distortion of facts”. He denied that he was anti-women or anti-equality, and claimed that he respected and valued women as mothers, sisters, and daughters. He accused Baswedan of being a “hypocrite” and a “liar”, and challenged him to prove his allegations with evidence. He also defended his own record and vision for women, such as:
The exchange between Baswedan and Subianto has sparked a heated debate and polarized opinions among the public and the media. Some praised Baswedan for standing up for women and challenging Subianto’s patriarchal and conservative views. Others criticized Baswedan for being opportunistic and divisive, and accused him of exploiting women’s issues for his own political gain. Some applauded Subianto for defending his beliefs and values, and portraying himself as a strong and decisive leader. Others condemned Subianto for being arrogant and insensitive, and questioned his suitability and credibility as a presidential candidate.
The issue of women’s rights and gender equality is likely to remain a hot topic and a key factor in the 2024 presidential election. According to a recent survey by a reputable polling agency, Baswedan and Subianto are neck and neck in the race, with 47.8% and 46.7% of the vote share respectively. The remaining 5.5% of the respondents are undecided or prefer other candidates. The margin of error is 3.1%.
The outcome of the election will depend on how the candidates can appeal to and mobilize their core supporters, as well as attract and persuade the undecided and swing voters. Women voters, who make up 50.4% of the electorate, will play a crucial role in determining the winner. Both candidates will have to address their concerns and aspirations, and offer concrete and credible solutions to the challenges they face. The future of Indonesia’s democracy and development may hinge on the choice of its women.
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