Ani is deeply concerned about human trafficking in Southeast Asia and the horrors endured by women and girls caught in the web of modern-day slavery.
Therefore, when opening the ASEAN Confederation of Women`s Organizations (ACWO) meeting at the State Palace here on Friday, the first lady called for concerted efforts to combat human trafficking, especially in women and children in the region.
"The women of ASEAN countries have to do something about human trafficking," the first lady said, adding that Southeast Asia has extensive area and adjacent to each other to allow very intensive interstate contacts.
Trafficking of women and children for prostitution and forced labor has become a well-organized crime in the region and thus she said an increasing international effort and ASEAN endeavor were needed to curb the trade of women and children.
Ani said there was still possible emergence of a number of crimes, especially human trafficking in the border regions if nothing was done about human trafficking including sexual slavery and labor exploitation.
Through a coordinated approach and solidarity of the counter-trafficking community ASEAN can make a real difference in the lives of people who are suffering the cruel consequences of human trafficking and exploitation.
Therefore the Indonesian first lady called on the women grouped in ACWO to seriously support the human trafficking eradication movement in ASEAN region.
Ani`s call makes perfect sense because ACWO is an official organization with human trafficking eradication on top of its priority, in addition to environmental preservation and women`s economic empowerment.
The policy of ACWO is also in line with the commitment of ASEAN leaders to combat human trafficking, especially on women and children.
The ASEAN commitment was stipulated in a statement, delivered on November 29, 2004 in Laos.
Besides human trafficking, environmental issue in ASEAN countries was also the Indonesian first lady`s concern.
Southeast Asia has one of the richest and most varied natural environments in the world and the use of natural resources has a big part in the well-being of its peoples and nations.
Along with the rich and varied resources mix comes the challenge of caring and nurture, for the region is home to some 500 million people who depend on these resources for both consumption and production.
And it is vulnerable to droughts and floods, which are made more devastating by the destruction of watersheds and forests.
For these reasons the leaders of ASEAN countries view the protection of the environment as essential to the long-term economic growth of their countries and region.
This commitment has strengthened over the years as environmental problems have become more complex, pervading almost every aspect of socioeconomic activity in the region.
In connection with environmental preservation, Ani Yudhoyono suggested the need for expansion of "The Women Plant and Maintain" program which was run by the United Indonesia Cabinet Wives Solidarity (SIKIB).
Ani expressed hope that the tree planting program of SIKIB could be expanded to ASEAN region as "The ASEAN Women Plant and Maintain" program.
The first lady made the statement when opening the ACWO General Assembly which also marked inauguration of the "3rd ACWO Board Meeting & Kowani Fair 2001" organized by the Indonesian Women`s Congress (Kowani).
ACWO is a framework used to bring together women`s organizations in the ASEAN region to work towards the full integration of women in development.
ACWO President who is concurrently general chairperson of Kowani, Dewi Motik Pramono, said the meeting was a venue where the women of ASEAN countries would exchange views at regional level.
"Indonesian women will play their greater role in both national and regional development process," Dewi said.
ACWO was formally established at a meeting in Jakarta on November 20, 1981 in conjunction with the reactivation of the ASEAN Women`s Program (AWP), the ASEAN Governments` grouping charged with the responsibility of women in development programs.
It comprises the National Council of Women`s Organizations in each ASEAN member country.
It is the regional forum for ASEAN women to exchange views on problems, and experiences, to assist in the implementation of strategies and programs adopted by the ASEAN governments, for the enhancement of women`s participation in both national and regional progress.
The First ACWO General Assembly was held in Jakarta on February 21, 1984, jointly with the 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN Women`s Programme.
From its inception, ACWO has had close ties and working relations with AWP (now the ASW - ASEAN Sub-committee on Women), the ASEAN Government`s Committee on Social Development.
It holds affiliated status as a Non-Governmental Organization recognized by the ASEAN Standing Committee and is accredited to the United Nations Information Center (UNIC).(*)
O001/HAJM/H-YH
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
