"I think Indonesia adopts a firm stance to emphasise the importance of gender equality in handling the climate crisis," Kusumaatmadja noted at a discussion session "Climate Message in Glasgow: Indonesia's Leadership in Climate Change" held online from Jakarta on Tuesday.
Kusumaatmadja, who served as the environment minister from 1993 to 1998 under Soeharto's presidency, pointed out that three women ministers accompanying President Joko Widodo during his visit to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference is proof of Indonesia's exemplary action to ensure gender equality in handling the climate crisis.
The three women ministers are Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar; Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi; and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, the advisory council member revealed.
"This symbolism is important as our endeavour to tackle the climate crisis must ensure an equal, inclusive, and non-discriminative environment," he noted.
Indonesia must be proud that gender equality in the national efforts to tackle the climate crisis is assured, the former minister stated.
"In contrast, there are many countries in the world that are struggling to achieve gender equality while at the same time must also handle extreme poverty, uncontrolled migration, and violence issues," Kusumaatmadja stated.
Gender equality must be ensured in tackling the climate crisis and the role of women as the guardians and protectors in society must be emphasised, he noted.
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Non-governmental organisations, private communities, and the public have repeatedly pointed to issues of gender equality in tackling environmental issues during the Conference of Parties 26 (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, he stated.
Indonesia, with a good standing in the COP26, could take a lead in putting the spotlight on gender equality and women's involvement in climate issues, Kusumaatmadja affirmed.
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Translator: Virna PS, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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