Gender inequality is still an issue that underlies women's underdevelopmentJakarta (ANTARA) - There is still a significant gap in women’s participation in the economic sector, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga said during a discussion held to commemorate Kartini Day here on Thursday.
"The level of participation of women in the economy, such as in the workforce, wage equality, and income rate, still shows a portrait of a relatively large gap," she added.
Puspayoga highlighted data showing that more than 50 percent of micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners are women, while 55 percent of Indonesian tourism actors comprise women.
MSMEs also contribute 61 percent to the total gross domestic product (GDP) and account for 60 percent of Indonesia's total investment. Besides, they absorb 97 percent of the workforce.
However, to this day, there are still problems that women and children encounter in various development sectors.
“Gender inequality is still an issue that underlies women's underdevelopment,” the minister said.
“The Gender Empowerment Index (IDG) and Gender Development Index (IPG) have risen, but when they are dissected based on gender, there is still a sharp inequality between women and men," she added.
In the field of politics and in the leadership arena, women are still lagging behind, such as in professional work, the parliament, and public occupations.
To bridge this gap, the ministry has undertaken several efforts in accordance with President Joko Widodo's instructions, which should bear fruit by 2024, Puspayoga informed.
These efforts include improving women's empowerment in entrepreneurship with a gender perspective as well as enhancing mothers' and families' roles in parenting.
They also involve reducing violence against women and children, reducing the number of child workers, and preventing child marriage.
"We have also conducted village women leadership training to realize women and child-friendly villages, which can make women rise up from various forms of inequality and oppression," she said.
The role of women in the family's economy should also become a strength, particularly in the domestic decision-making process, including their sharing the responsibility of educating and taking care of their children with their husbands.
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Translator: Lintang B P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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