Jakarta, 10 February 2022. Efforts to fight for gender equality and women's empowerment will be the priority focus of the Women 20 (W20) Presidency of Indonesia this year. As one of the Engagement Groups of the Group of Twenty (G20), W20 hopes that country/government leaders place gender equality and women's empowerment at the center of global discussions on the path to economic recovery after Covid-19, promote sustainable development, and invest in inclusive growth.
Chair of Women 20 Indonesia, Hadriani Uli Silalahi said, "The W20 Presidency of Indonesia wants to encourage the commitment of state/government leaders to place gender equality and women's empowerment at the focus of global discussions regarding the post-Covid-19 economic recovery. In addition, it also requires a commitment to reduce discrimination against women in order to actively participate in recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic."
Furthermore, Uli added, the W20 Presidency of Indonesia also wants to encourage leaders of G20 countries to open up access for women to be able to actively participate in the economy. It is also necessary to ensure that there are no longer marginalized women in development recovery, and finally the need to open equal access to health services for women.
“The main mission of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia is to influence the high-level commitments that will be issued at the G20 Summit (Communiqué) to include an agenda for women's empowerment and gender equality in G20 countries. Moreover, in several previous G20 Presidencies, the gender focus in the overall declaration was still small, never exceeding 8 percent," added Uli.
According to her, one of the biggest commitments on gender equality was conveyed in the G20 Leaders Communiqué in 2014. At that time the G20 leaders agreed on the goal of reducing the gap in labour participation rates between men and women in G20 countries by 25 percent by 2025.
Meanwhile, the Co-Chair of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia, Dian Siswarini stated that from a global diplomacy point of view, holding the G20 and W20 presidencies means that Indonesia places itself as the centre of diplomacy among the 20 largest economic countries by adhering to the resolution of the four priority issues of the W20.
"This W20 Engagement Group is also expected to be able to activate new movements and thoughts from women, not only in the global sphere but also within the G20 member countries themselves, supported by best practices as a catalyst," added Dian.
To achieve the above objectives, the agenda for the W20 Indonesian Presidency for this year will raise four priority issues. First, to promote equality, security, and welfare by eliminating discrimination that hinders women's participation in the economy. Second, achieving economic inclusion by supporting MSMEs that are owned and managed by women. Third, addressing vulnerability to increase resilience, with a focus on women with disabilities and rural women. Fourth, gender-equal health response.
In addition, Indonesia's position is also expected to bring the Indonesian people closer, especially the areas where the G20 and W20 agendas are being implemented, to the diplomatic process. Indonesia will be increasingly recognized for its diversity, attracting tourist visits, and opening up investment opportunities supported by programs that will be established during the presidency.
Likupang as the first W20 side event
The series of agendas for the W20 Presidency of Indonesia, as one of the engagement groups in the G20, will begin soon. Raising several issues related to women's empowerment, the W20 forum will be divided into several main agendas called the Women 20 Summit and additional agendas or side events. The Likupang tourist area in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi will be the location for the first W20 side event which will take place 14-16 February 2022.
At this first meeting, which will be held on a hybrid basis, there will be around 150 participants including representatives from G20 member countries, namely the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Russia, plus the European Union.
Those who will attend the opening presentation will include Bathylle Missika who is the Head of Division-Networks, Partnerships and Gender, OECD Development Centre. Other speakers are Prof. Mari Miura who is Professor of Political Science at Sophia University as well as committee member of W20 Japan, then Salma Al Rashid, as W20 Sherpa from Saudi Arabia, and Martina Rogato, as W20 Sherpa from Italy. Furthermore, the presentation of perspectives and recommendations will be carried out by Minah Kang from South Korea, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana and Andy Yentriyani from Indonesia, and Erin Watson from Australia.
In addition, will also be present in person to give the opening speech at the meeting location are the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, Bintang Puspayoga, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams, Co-Sherpa of G20 Indonesia, Dian Triansyah Djani, Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey and the Chairperson of Kowani, Dr. Ir. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo M.Pd.
The selection of Likupang as the location for the side event of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia is expected to be able to introduce this leading tourist destination to the international world. Likupang itself is one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) which has also been designated by the government as a super priority tourist destination. Currently the development of an integrated tourism ecosystem is being built there, and it is hoped that it will be able to become a world-class tourist destination.
The entire agenda of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia until October 2022 will be held in stages at several priority destination points in Indonesia. The implementation is in collaboration with International Knowledge Partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and government agencies up to the private sector.
After Likupang, the side events of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia up to the W20 Summit will be held in Batu, East Java, and Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan in March 2022, Manokwari, West Papua, in May 2022, Lake Toba, North Sumatra in July 2022, and Denpasar, Bali in September - October 2022.