All policies, programs, and activities in a workplace should reflect equality between women and men.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Minister Bintang Puspayoga had encouraged all workplaces, both formal and informal, to not discriminate against woman and ensure an inclusive policy within companies.

"All policies, programs, and activities in a workplace should reflect equality between women and men. The PPPA Ministry strictly rejects all forms of discrimination against women, starting from recruitment, work activities, and promotion, to fulfilment of rights," Puspayoga noted in a press statement received here on Monday.

The minister opined that creating space for gender equality at the workplace that is free from all forms of discrimination is the responsibility of all parties, right from the leadership to the staff.

This can begin with commitment realized through policies, programs, and activities implemented in order to create a safe and comfortable environment for women, she affirmed.

"A safe and comfortable workplace without fear of discrimination, violence, and harassment is highly needed for women," Puspayoga emphasized.

Related news: Discrimination against women affects public health

She echoed Indonesia's commitment to protecting women's rights, specifically eradication of all forms of discrimination against women that is described in the Constitution and various laws.

"Protection to women workers is one of the country's commitments mandated within the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and has been adopted as the national law through Law No. 7 of 1984," the minister stated.

"Hence, the Indonesian government is obligated to make efforts to guarantee the fulfillment of women's rights in accordance to what is mandated within the convention," she noted.

The effort to prioritize the protection of women workers is mandated in Law No. 13 of 2003 on Manpower related to Law No. 11 of 2020 on Job Creation.

In October 2021, the United Nations' CEDAW Committee will hold a constructive dialog with the Indonesian Government as a part of the government's efforts to uphold the CEDAW.

Under the dialog, Indonesia will be represented by people from ministries and institutions, experts, and women's issues' observers that will deliver a report to the CEDAW Committee on the condition, advancement, and challenges of protecting and advancing women's rights and gender equality in Indonesia.


Related news: Strong commitment paramount to combating workplace sexual harassment

Translator: Anita Dewi, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021