JAKARTA, May 7, 2024. The Indonesian delegation encouraged the implementation of gender equality and poverty mitigation at the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) session held from March 11th to 22nd, 2024, in New York, United States (US). Dian Siswarini, President Director & CEO PT. XL Axiata Tbk and Co-Chair of W20 Indonesia 2022, represented Indonesia at the CSW Session, participating in a side event titled "Addressing Poverty, Strengthening Institutions, and Financing for Women Empowerment," alongside officials from the Indonesian Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) and the Women's Congress Indonesia (Kowani).
Dian presented a paper entitled "The Role of Women in Entrepreneurship," which outlined actionable strategies to encourage women's empowerment through entrepreneurship for poverty alleviation. These strategies includes facilitating access to education and consultation, ensuring seamless access to financial resources and supply chains for female entrepreneurs, including owners of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), thereby enabling them to expand their businesses.
"It is hoped that empowering women through entrepreneurship programs will aid in reducing the number of Indonesian women living below the poverty line. I also shared with audiences from various countries the achievements of the Sisternet program to support womenpreneurs through diverse classes, intensive discussions with business owners, as well as additional facilities to support women-led MSMEs in terms of financial inclusion. Sisternet has assisted more than 3,000 MSMEs, 1,000 classes, and benefited more than 500,000 Indonesian women, helping them #Jadilebihbaik (#Bebetter)," continued Dian.
Lenny N. Rosalin, serving as the Deputy for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) and representing the Minister of PPPA, conveyed a statement on behalf of the Indonesian Government, underscoring Indonesia's steadfast commitment to addressing poverty alleviation. While poverty impacts the entire community including men, women, and children, it disproportionately affects women and girls. Hence, the Indonesian delegation persists in its efforts to combat poverty, aiming to liberate them from its grip and its repercussions.
Lenny emphasized, "One of the efforts to eradicate poverty, particularly among women and girls, the Indonesian Government pritoritize budget planning with a gender perspective. This commitment is underscored by the ratification of Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2000 regarding Gender Mainstreaming in National Development and Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government."
Moreover, Lenny elaborated that in 2021, her department had reinvigorated efforts to mainstream gender policies by formulating a fresh national strategy aimed at enhancing institutional mechanisms. This strategy entails drafting a Gender Equality Action Plan, integrating gender perspectives into strategic and sectoral policies, developing instruments, enhancing human resources, and strengthening the strategic landscape.
"Through the implementation of this strategy, the Indonesian Government has embraced a holistic gender perspective, not only in the stages of planning and budgeting but also throughout the phases of implementation, monitoring, evaluation, auditing, and reporting on accountability," highlighted Lenny.
The CSW stands as the United Nations' premier annual gathering focusing on gender equality and the empowerment of women. This year's event revolves around the theme "Advancing Gender Equality and Empowering All Women and Girls through Addressing Poverty, Strengthening Institutions, and Financing with a Gender Perspective." Indonesia was among the nations invited to share their Best Practices, represented by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA), the Indonesian Women's Congress (KOWANI), W20 Indonesia, and accomplished female professionals renowned in their respective fields.
Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo, the General Chairman of Kowani, remarked, "Indonesia's participation in the UN forum is indeed significant, as it signifies the UN's trust in our ability to share our experiences with the global community. Indonesia, through Kowani's representation, is an integral part of the ECOSOC (The Economic and Social Council), a global body. I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of PPPA for affording us the opportunity to collaborate in organizing this side event, and to Mrs. Dian Siswarini, President Director & CEO of PT XL Axiata, for graciously accepting the invitation to participate as a resource person, consistently demonstrating synergy in advancing the progress of Indonesian women through initiatives like the Sisternet program."
The CSW68 Forum saw the participation of a diverse array of individuals, including Indra Gunawan, Expert Staff of the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection for Family Development, representatives from Brazil, Mastertech CEO Camilla Achuti, President Commissioner of PT Sarana Jabar Ventura and PT Medco Energi Internasional, Tbk Yani Panigoro, W20 Italy Chair Linda Laura Sabbadini, XL Axiata President Director & CEO and W20 Indonesia Chair Dian Siswarini, ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organization (ACWO) President Cecilia, Alumni Association of West Java University Chair Irawati Hermawan, LSPR Founder and CEO Prita Kemal Gani, US Delegation to W20 Co-head Virginia Littlejohn, and Niken Manohara, representing Dian Kemala. In total, the forum included over 100 participants hailing from various UN member countries worldwide.