"B20 Indonesia encourages affirmative action as policy recommendations to leaders in the G20 forum," she stated at a webinar titled "Rising to the Top on Thursday."
She explained that women's participation in the Indonesian workforce was lower than that of men. In 2020, only 53 percent of the women workforce were reported as compared to 82 percent of the men workforce.
In addition, the census of women holding executive leadership positions in 200 IDX companies shows no change since 2019, in both women as chief executives and CEOs.
"This is quite ironic, considering the fact that global research has shown over the years how gender diversity benefits businesses in many ways," she remarked.
Kamdani, concurrently Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association, explained that a survey conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 70 countries showed that gender equality and diversity helped to improve business performance, such as increasing productivity, profitability, creativity, innovation, and resilience. It also strengthens the company's brand.
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To that end, Kamdani noted that Indonesia required to expand efforts to realize gender equality through strong and effective actions.
"We must take advantage to create an ecosystem in supporting female talent in the company. We must also recognize the importance of measuring and monitoring progress with fair gender equality," she affirmed.
Kamdani is optimistic that Indonesia's Presidency in G20 this year could set an example for other countries, especially developing nations, to have a gender-equal reporting mechanism as a follow-up to the census conducted.
She also encouraged IDX to take further steps by encouraging members and public companies to improve gender indicators in company reports since the census of women in the IDX 200 executive team is in line with B20's focus on women on the business action board to help them in holding top leadership positions.
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Translator: Sella Panduarsa G, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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