Investing in women means investing in human rights
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi raised the issue of women's empowerment in the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. "Investing in women means investing in human rights," Foreign Minister Marsudi said in her first speech as a member of the UN Human Rights Council 2020-2022 Period at The UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, February 24, as conveyed through a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The issue of women was specifically raised when Foreign Minister Marsudi spoke about the importance of inclusiveness in the promotion and protection of human rights.

"Women's empowerment is an important element in the promotion and protection of human rights," she said.

Indonesia's efforts in empowering women do not stop at the national level, but also at the regional and world levels.

At the regional level, Indonesia has organized Regional Training on Women, Peace and Security and the Southeast Asia Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators to increase the capacity of women in conflict resolution and mediation.

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At the global level, Indonesia also encourages the contribution of Afghan women in the peace process in their country through the formation of Afghanistan-Indonesia Women’s Network.

In addition, Retno also mentioned the importance of preventing human rights violations and strengthening the synergy of the UN Human Rights Council in the promotion and protection of human rights.

"Prevention of human rights violations is cheaper than overcoming the violations themselves," she said.

Foreign Minister Retno also touched on the issue of human rights for the Palestinian people in her speech at the UN Human Rights Council.

"The failure to fulfill the basic rights of the Palestinian people has been exacerbated by plans to build new illegal settlements on Palestinian land. The human rights violations must be resolved immediately, "he stressed.

The High-Level Segment Meeting of the UN Human Rights Council was attended by delegations from 192 countries, and 66 of them were led by heads of state or delegates at the ministerial level. (INE)

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Reporter: Yashinta Difa, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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