Cooperation must also be strengthened to ensure women's equal access to education, work and business opportunities, and health facilities
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has emphasized that the cooperation of women's organizations must be strengthened to ensure equality in access to various sectors, ranging from education to health.

At the opening of the ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organizations (ACWO) Forum and Expo 2023 here on Tuesday, Amin said that women can contribute by sharing knowledge, thoughts, and experiences and strengthening friendships through organizations.

"Cooperation must also be strengthened to ensure women's equal access to education, work and business opportunities, and health facilities," he said while delivering his remarks virtually at the event.

According to him, women, who dominate the ASEAN population, have an essential role in advancing and helping ASEAN countries prosper.

The Vice President expressed his appreciation of the consistency shown by women's organizations in their fight for women's rights and welfare, considering that women's organizations are important partners of the government in efforts to make ASEAN a center of sustainable growth in the region and in the world.

He said that women are at the forefront of mainstreaming gender equality issues as well as implementing policies related to women's economic empowerment, inclusive development, political participation, and leadership, both at the national level and in ASEAN.

He added that he considers the progress of women to be vital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, women's resilience was demonstrated through micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are also deemed as drivers of the economy. Furthermore, women are also key to family development.

"Women take care of families that are the foundation for building a strong ASEAN community. Women also play a key role in teaching and spreading the values of moderation to the younger generation, starting from the family," he said.

While closing his remarks, Amin expressed the hope that the ACWO Forum and Expo, which was organized by the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani), would benefit women in ASEAN.

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Translator: Mentari Dwi, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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