We expect that this Mother's Day commemoration would celebrate various achievements that women have made while serving as a reminder of the long struggle aheadManado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Mother's Day must serve as an occasion to empower Indonesian women and ensure their equal standing, Minister for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga, has said.
North Sulawesi's Deputy Governor Steven Kandouw delivered the minister's remarks at an event here on Wednesday.
"Mother's Day commemoration is to honor the struggle of Indonesian women throughout the ages," Puspayoga said.
"In addition, this date was chosen to honor the first women's Congress in Yogyakarta in 1928, which was the beginning of the Indonesian women's movement," according to the minister.
Looking back on history, the struggle of Indonesian women has never been easy, she added.
However, Indonesian women have courageously broken social boundaries, voiced their demand for their rights, and achieved independence together with men, she said.
In the end, the 1945 Constitution ensures equality for all Indonesians, including women, Puspayoga noted.
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"To this day, there are many progress that women have felt, but the ideal equality has not yet been fully realized," she remarked.
This is because of the patriarchal culture that has embedded itself for decades and which can still be seen in society, she said.
According to Puspayoga, women are still facing issues that are threatening the quality of their life, which has been made worse by the COVID-10 pandemic, thus further placing them in a vulnerable position.
Moreover, gender inequality is also threatening efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, the minister noted.
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"No matter what challenges they face, Indonesian women are strong heroes who are capable of going through various hurdles. This holds true even in this difficult time; women stand at the front line," she said.
Amid the struggle for empowerment that has brought various challenges and obstacles, one thing that has never changed is the fact that Indonesian women remain strong and brave in supporting their kind, she added.
"We expect that this Mother's Day commemoration would celebrate various achievements that women have made while serving as a reminder of the long struggle ahead," Puspayoga remarked.
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Translator: Karel Polakitan, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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