Musrenbang Less Accommodate to the Aspirations of Mother and Children

The aspiration of mothers and children in the Development Planning Council (Musrenbang) both at City and Regional level are still less accommodated. This was stated  by Dr.Titik Sumarti, from Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Studies (PSP3),  Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) IPB. Bogor Agricultural University during a discussion with journalists  on Campus IPB Baranang Siang, Monday, 7 March 2011.

With reference to  her study Dr.Titik revealed that  Musrenbang Bogor of the City and Regency level on the year 2010, only 10 percent the funded gender-sensitive programs were  implemented. Furthermore, she reported that recommendations made by  Musrenbang  village level were not even passed on to the higher level, the District level. Subsequently, those aspirations from  Musrenbang District level won’t be passed on to the higher level, the City level. Participants attend the  Musrenbang meetings do not have the capacity to present their  gender sensitive opinions.

In addition, participants of  Musrenbang  do not express or voice the aspirations of  the society they represent,  because it is the hands of the village elite, including women’s groups which are limited to the PKK cadres. According to Dr. Titik,  ther Organizing Comiittee and participants of Musrenbang should have the sensitivity to the different needs of men and women at all age levels.

It is required, that the Organizing Committee checked to ensure that all parties are included in the list to attend the Musrenbang , especially women or women’s organizations. Not only  those are registered structurally in the village Organization Structure.

In addition,  Dr.Titik recommended that  policy makers should circulate among the community a circular on the  involvement of women and men fairly  and equally as facilitators to ensure women’s involvement in Musrenbang.

Meanwhile in the village level, Dr.Titik stated that the mindset and perspective view of the society should  be changed to make their  orientation for development will be based on specific needs of women and men. (Wied).