…guidance activity conducted by the National Library becomes an extraordinary potential for improving women's and families' literacy.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga has underlined the importance of gender mainstreaming in libraries since women have a crucial role in the development of literacy, which begins with them and their families.

"Women play the main role in developing families' literacy culture," she said in a statement issued on Monday in relation to her visit to the National Library's mentee group in Bukit Village, Karanasem, Bali.

"Good literacy in families will develop quality and competitive human resources," she added.

In 2020, the literacy rate among Indonesians aged 15 years and above stood at 96 percent, she informed.

Meanwhile, according to 2022 data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), 23 provinces reached the target of above 96 percent literacy, but Bali’s rate remained below the national average at 95.5 percent.

"Thus, guidance activity conducted by the National Library becomes an extraordinary potential for improving women's and families' literacy," she said.

One of the concrete examples of gender mainstreaming in the library sector is the provision of information services to women related to practical skills that can improve the quality of their life through entrepreneurship, Puspayoga said.

"This information service for women entrepreneurship can come in the form of books in libraries, online learning and activities in libraries to improve women's skills based on the potential in each region," she explained.

Her ministry has lauded the women's empowerment work visit activity for literacy strengthening in Bukit Village's library, which is a form of collective commitment to improving women's capacity and economic independence.

This activity is expected to create a safe and comfortable space for women to develop themselves and gain as much knowledge, Puspayoga said.

It is also expected to open opportunities for improving the prosperity and resiliency of families, she noted.

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Translator: Anita Permata D, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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