"Our challenges can be seen from various aspects, not just economical, but also psychosocial and sociocultural aspects," she told ANTARA here on Thursday.
"This comes back to the patriarchal culture that still considers or places women as number two," she added.
According to Rahayu, many people still tend to forget the potential of women despite the fact that women have the potential to give birth to a golden generation.
In addition, women have the potential in the economy. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Indonesia and triggered an economic decline, she said she saw that women were active in their businesses to support their family's economy.
"When COVID-19 happened, women suddenly had to become teachers (due to online schooling). There were also those who made time for their surroundings by distributing masks, sharing basic needs, and others," she highlighted.
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Therefore, the ministry has continued to push for gender equality, while also continuing to improve the quality and potential of Indonesian women through various programs, she informed.
"We certainly collaborate with many parties to do this, including through campaigns. We also utilize social media," she said.
"When gender equality is already being noticed, when policies become gender-responsive and child-friendly, (women’s) productivity increases," she added.
In addition, the ministry has continued to encourage equality in parenting. This means that the burden of parenting must not solely fall on women as mothers, but also on men as fathers, she explained.
The exception to this is if the women are the heads of the family or single mothers.
"This is because families have to provide support to women to undergo their roles," she said.
"The fate of mothers is to give birth and breastfeed. However, parenting becomes the obligation for fathers and mothers," she added.
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Translator: Suci Nurhaliza, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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