"Women have the potential to contribute to the national economy, and they should not be left behind in the development program," the ministry's Deputy for Public Participation, Prof. Vennetia Ryckerens Danes stated here on Thursday.
Danes noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the economy and changed people's behavior pertaining to the use of technology in their daily activities.
"The pandemic has affected 1.57 million Indonesians, and it has changed the people's behaviors. Digital transformation is highly needed, as we have to restrict outdoor and communal activities," she stated.
According to the ministry’s data, the pandemic has reduced women's participation in the economy by 82 percent, and informal workers had to reduce their working hours.
According to the National Commission on Violence Against Women, during the year ended April 2021, the commission had received over two thousand complaints on violence against women.
The government has outlined five priority issues for women’s empowerment and child protection, improving women’s empowerment in entrepreneurship, second, improving the mother's role in child education, while third involves reducing violence against women and children, while fourth entails reducing child labor, and fifth, preventing child marriages.
"Although women are included in the vulnerable group, they are strong enough to save the country's economy. Women dominated micro-, small-, and medium-scale (MSME) sector that contributed 50 percent to the GDP," she stated.
The minister has urged business operators to unite to empower women's economy and offer safe and fair working environment for them. Related news: Women's role crucial in expediting economic recovery during pandemic
Related news: APEC to push women's economic empowerment to strengthen recovery
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Sri Hary
Editor: Suharto
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