The KIA Bill could strengthen joint commitments across sectors in the efforts to empower women and protect children, especially to provide for the mothers' welfare and ensure the fulfillment of children rightsJakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy for Children Rights Fulfillment at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Agustina Erni, highlighted the ministry's full support to the idea of the Maternal and Child Welfare (KIA) Bill.
"The KIA Bill could strengthen joint commitments across sectors in the efforts to empower women and protect children, especially to provide for the mothers' welfare and ensure the fulfillment of children rights," Erni stated in a press release on Thursday.
She noted that the government was striving to reduce the gender gap in Indonesia by increasing the Labor Force Participation Rate (TPAK) for women since a gap still existed in the provision of wages, where women's wages were lesser than their male counterparts.
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"We hope that the KIA Bill could give women an opportunity to raise children and work at the same time. We also hope RUU KIA would increase TPAK for women to have the same opportunities as men," Erni stated.
She addressed that KIA Bill was important, especially in developing human resources in future.
"One of the important points in KIA Bill was the provision of six months of maternity leave. That was very supportive for the mothers' well-being and for the kids as well. This bill focused on the growth and development of children during the golden age, which was a crucial period in the development of our future generation," she stated.
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In addition to supporting the KIA Bill, Erni said the ministry was currently preparing standardization of child care or daycare that was important in the children's development.
"If the policies related to daycare are completed, then this will be very helpful for mothers, who work in the formal and informal sectors," Erni stated.
She also reminded that parents, especially fathers, should be well-informed about the importance of the first thousand days of life (HPK) or the child's golden age.
"The KIA Bill is in line with the duties and functions of the PPPA Ministry. It is a very good program, especially for both parents in raising their children," she concluded.
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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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