Women should be more courageous in raising their voice against the discrimination that they face so that everyone can get justice and become prosperous
Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Governor of Riau Islands Ansar Ahmad affirmed his administration's commitment to fighting for women to realize gender equality and justice, at the 93rd commemoration of Mother's Day here on Wednesday.

Several issues such as high maternal mortality (AKI) and infant mortality rates (AKB), as well as the low education level of women are hindering gender equality, he said.

Low participation of women in the workforce and politics as well as the high incidence of sexual violence and other forms of discrimination against women are also playing a part in this, he added.

"Women should be more courageous in raising their voice against the discrimination that they face so that everyone can get justice and become prosperous," Ahmad said.

The success of women's empowerment efforts can be gauged from the Gender Development Index (IPG) and the Gender Empowerment Index (IDG), he noted.

Currently, the IPG in Riau Islands stands at 93.31 points, which is above the national average of 91.06 points, he pointed out.

However, this is yet to be followed by gender empowerment, he noted. Riau Islands' IDG is currently pegged at 62.02 points, which is below the national average of 75.57 points, Ahmad said.

"This is driven by the low involvement of women in the legislative branch. This condition will prove a challenge to bolstering gender empowerment in the future," the governor remarked.

He said he expects all women's institutions and organizations to expedite the improvement in women's empowerment efforts in Riau Islands so that the IDG shows an increase.

He also highlighted that women have been affected in terms of health, economy, and social matters by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has made women vulnerable to acts of violence, but it must not stop women from becoming the front line of defense to protect families from the pandemic, he said.

"Happy Mother's Day to all women in Riau Islands. May Allah, Glory to Him, the Exalted, protect us all and revive us from COVID-19," Ahmad remarked.

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Translator: Ogen, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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