As a nation, we have taken plenty of actions to follow in the footsteps of Kartini, including by providing women with adequate access to education, health, economy, and politics.
Badung (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, invoked Raden Ajeng Kartini's legacy during the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific.

Speaking at the conference in Badung district, Bali, on Thursday, Tanoesoedibjo described Kartini as the most influential woman in Indonesia's history and a symbol of gender equality.

"Kartini once said that women's progress will always be a critical factor for a nation to advance, and I entirely agree with her," she remarked.

In the presence of delegates from around 40 countries, she said that by empowering its women, not only can a nation actualize human rights and equality, but also present economic, social, and environmental benefits to its people.

Empowered women wield the capability of assisting their country in alleviating poverty, addressing food insecurity, and elevating national welfare as well as the living standards of families, she expounded.

"As a nation, we have taken plenty of actions to follow in the footsteps of Kartini, including by providing women with adequate access to education, health, economy, and politics," she added.

The deputy minister noted that Indonesian women have started assuming more roles in tourism, a sector that allows them to connect and exchange ideas.

However, she said, the Indonesian government still has work to do in order to further boost women's participation in the tourism sector and enable more women to achieve strategic positions in the sector.

"Women own 64 percent of Indonesian MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), which contribute 97 percent to job opportunities and 61 percent to the country's gross domestic product," she underlined.

Most of those women, however, are yet to level up the scale of their businesses, she pointed out.

For that reason, she said she hopes that the UN conference from May 2–4, 2024, would serve as a catalyst to improve women's participation and empowerment in the tourism sector.

"I believe that we will be able to tackle gender equality only by advocating this issue at the highest level and exerting utmost efforts. Kartini has taught us that gender inequality finds its core in social structures and power," she added.

Related news: Minister Puspayoga presses for stronger commitment to gender equality
Related news: Make Kartini Day be symbol of women's struggle: President Jokowi
Related news: Women must reflect on Kartini's struggle: minister









Translator: Ni Putu, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024