Yogyakarta (23/12) - Coinciding with the peak of the 93rd Mother's Day Commemoration today, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) also held a virtual G20 Empower and Women20 (W20) Kick-Off Ceremonial. At this event, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga emphasized that women have enormous potential in supporting and encouraging the nation's economic growth, so that these opportunities and potentials must be expanded and supported by all parties through cooperation at the global level, namely the G20.
“The involvement of the role of women and marginalized groups is a major concern in Indonesia's leadership in the G20. We believe that through this global collaboration, the challenges faced by women, especially in dealing with the impact of the post-Covid-19 recovery period, can be facilitated through collaboration between many parties, namely the Government, Regional Governments, the private sector, international institutions, academic CSOs, and other stakeholders." said Minister Bintang at the G20 Empower and Women20 (W20) Kick-Off Ceremonial which was held in a virtual manner.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi said that to achieve a real impact in empowering women, a change in mindset was needed. This is the first step that should be encouraged, through creating a supportive environment and providing equal opportunities for women to contribute. "Indonesia's chairmanship at the G20 brings the spirit of inclusiveness. Empowerment of vulnerable groups, including women and children, will be the main focus for Indonesia in the G20,"
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on women. Based on the UN Women report, it shows that women, who mostly have incomes that depend on family businesses, experienced a significant decrease in income up to 82 percent. In addition, during the pandemic women also experienced a heavier burden in domestic issues and unpaid care. The increasing domestic problems and workload are experienced by both women and men, where 69 percent of women and 61 percent of men are trapped in unpaid domestic work.
Following up on this issue, through the G20 forum which is in line with the Indonesian Presidency's theme 'Recover Stronger Recover Together', Minister Bintang hopes that the agenda related to strengthening the role of women, especially during the Covid-19 recovery process, can be discussed more deeply, so that it can contribute to the development of global strategies and policies. , which is in line with the 'Brisbane Goals' as well as national policies.
At the G20, there were 2 (two) special groups that discussed strengthening the position and issues of equality for women, namely G20 Empower, which consists of a government and private alliance, and Women20, which is an engagement group. Indonesia has determined the agenda or work theme to be discussed in each of these groups.
There are 3 (three) important themes raised in G20 Empower, namely accountability for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) from the company to encourage leadership and strengthen the company's position in the world of work; the efforts of the private sector and the Government to continue to encourage and support the role of women in SME (Small Medium Enterprises) as an economic driver; and build women's future readiness in the digital economy.
Meanwhile, W20 Indonesia will raise four agendas. First, to promote equality, security, and welfare by eliminating discrimination that hinders women's participation in the economy. Second, to achieve economic inclusion by supporting MSMEs that are owned and managed by women. Third, to address vulnerability to increase resilience, with a focus on women with disabilities and rural women. Fourth, gender-equal health response.
Minister Bintang conveyed that there are many complex challenges that will be faced by women in the future. "With the development of technology 4.0, it is very important to provide equal opportunities for women in the business world and the world of work. This matter needs to be considered and sought for solutions, for the sake of improving the quality and capacity of women in the future,” added Minister Bintang.
Furthermore, Minister Bintang hopes that through the G20 forums that discuss efforts to increase the participation and role of women in global and local communities, the issue of women's empowerment can continue to be improved, in order to improve and strengthen the bargaining position of women in society. The PPPA Ministry will also continue the initiation of the Italian state and is committed to holding the Ministerial Meeting on Women's Empowerment at the 2022 Indonesian Presidency in Bali.
"I believe that the Indonesian Presidency in the G20 can continue to encourage the creation of concrete actions through the development of recommendations, policies, and sharing of experiences, both by collaborating and building common strengths to continue to support equality and promote the strategic position of women," said Minister Bintang.
The Kick-off meeting at the same time inaugurated the Chair and Co-Chair of Women20 Indonesia, namely the Chair of the Indonesian Women's Congress (KOWANI), Hadriani Uli Silalahi and the President Director and CEO of XL Axiata, Dian Siswarini. In addition, the Chair and Co-Chair of G20 Empower are Director and Chief Strategic Transformation and Information Officer of XL Axiata, Yessie D. Yosetya, Chair of the Permanent Committee for Education for the Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs Association (IWAPI), Rinawati Prihatiningsih, and Assistant Deputy for Professional Institution Participation and the Business World of the Ministry of PPPA, Eko Novi Ariyanti as the government's representative in the G20 Empower.
Indonesia's G20 Presidency has begun on December 1, 2021. Therefore, the Ministry of PPPA as the mother ministry of the G20 Empower alliance and the Women20 engagement group, is actively involved in the implementation of the G20. At this ceremonial event, the Indonesian delegation will present the priority agenda that is the focus of the Indonesia’s G20 Presidency. In addition, it is hoped that G20 members, delegates from invited countries, CSOs, and relevant international organizations can discuss and formulate concrete initiatives, so as to produce concrete actions that are responsive to global challenges.
During 2021, G20 Empower has held several series of activities nationally, namely holding a series of webinars to promote the important role of women in the business world and the world of work; and recruited around 50 advocates of G20 Empower who are CEOs/Senior Directors of companies in Indonesia. The advocates of G20 Empower are expected to be able to voice and develop programs, systems, and policies related to equality and opportunity for women in their companies, and can contribute more broadly to the community and society.
W20 Indonesia collaborates with International Knowledge Partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, government agencies, the private sectors, and other stakeholders. In 2022, several W20 hybrid side events will take place in a number of cities in Indonesia, such as Batu, Likupang, Banjarmasin, and Manokwari. By demonstrating the efforts of gender equality and women's empowerment in various places in Indonesia, the Grand W20 Summit will take place from 27 to 29 July 2022 in Lake Toba, North Sumatra.