"I initially inquired about whether or not there are one thousand (of women organizations), are there one thousand women or one thousand women organizations. However, I was confirmed that there are actually one thousand women organizations. I am proud of it," the minister said when delivering a welcome speech at an event kicking off the 35th General Assembly of the International Council of Women (ICW) and the National Gathering of One Thousand Indonesian Women Organizations here Thursday.
On the occasion, Indonesia`s World Records Museum (MURI) awarded the Indonesian Women Congress (KOWANI for organizing a meeting which is attended by a huge number of women organizations totaling one thousands.
Rini Soemarno also received an award as a woman figure.
Rini said the two events which are organized in coincidence would result in nothing if they are unable to empower women.
She said the Indonesian government pays great attention to every effort to empower women in all sectors.
The minister pointed out that eight out of 34 ministers are women, in addition to 92 regional heads, and still many more women who assume leadership position at ministries and institutions.
Likewise, a lot of women sit in boards of directors and serve as commissioners at the State Enterprises Minister.
Women who assume positions in board of directors include President Directors of PT Pertamina Nicke Widyawati, President Director of PT Jasa Marga Dessi Aryani, President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ira Puspadewi, President Director of PT Sarana Multi-Infrastruktur Emma Sri Martini, Consumer Service Director PT Telkom Siti Choiriana.
There are also Director of Institutional Relations PT Bank Mandiri Alexandra Iskandar, Ritail Businbess Director of PT BNI 46 Tambok PS Simajuntak, Director of Institutional Relations of PT BNI 46 Adi Sulistyowati, Consumer Director of PT BRI Handayani and Human Capital Director of PT BRI R Sophia Aliza.
In addition, there are Corporate Planning Director of PT PLN Syofvi Felienty Roekman, Finance and Strategic Planning Director of PT Surveyor Indonesia Rosmanidar Zulkifli, Finance, Human Resources Management and General Affairs Director of state news agency Antara Nina Kurnia Dewi.
"We have power to push this country to be stronger and more advanced," she said.
She said women have to cooperate and help each other to cope with women`s various problems to develop the nation.
The minister was flanked by ICW President Jungsook Kim and wife of Yoyyakarta`s Governor GKR Ratu Hemas in the event kicking off the the 35th ICW General Assembly and the National Gathering of One Thousand Indonesian Women Organizations in Yogyakarta.
Also seen sitting in the front row on the left side of Hemas were KOWANI General Chairperson Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo and Yogyakarta`s Deputy Govenor KGPAA Paku Alam X. Meanwhile, on the right side of Kim was the ICW executives.
The hall of the Village Economic Village Center which is the venue of the event at the precinct of Grand Inna Malioboro Hotel was packed with thousands of participants to the two events which are held in coincidence.
They were wearing colorful costumes with different designs of Kebaya (Javanese traditional attire) and some of them were wearing Cendrawasih bird accessories as hats.
Foreign delegations were wearing unique dresses of their respective countries and many of the participants appeared in batik cloths.
The two women`s events are held jointly by the ICW and KOWANI which are fully supported by the State Enterprises Ministry and 35 state enterprises including state news agency Antara.
"This is for the first time KOWANI organizes an event which is attended by one thousand women organizations in Indonesia," Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo said.
Giwo said in her speech quoting a statement of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan saying that when you educate a man, that is a personal matter, while you educate a woman, you are educating a nation.
The event was also attended by Russia`s Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva , Afghanistan?s Ambassador to Indonesia Roya Rahmani, and Fiji`s Ambassador to Indonesia Seleina Dikawakawayali Veisamasama.
Reporting by Budi Setiwanto
Editing by Fardah
Reporter: Budi Setiwanto
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
