Arifah: Collaboration between Ministries/Agencies Needed to Empower Women through Education

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, emphasised that commitment and collaboration among ministries and institutions are required for efforts to empower women through education to succeed effectively.

“The success of women’s empowerment through education cannot be achieved by one party alone. Strong and sustainable collaboration from all stakeholders is needed,” said Arifah Fauzi at the event titled “Launch of the Women’s Empowerment through Education Month”, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She also expressed thanks to the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, for initiating the event.

According to her, education is the primary foundation for women’s empowerment.

“Education is not merely knowledge to gain access to knowledge, but also builds self-confidence, expands life choices, and improves the quality of decision-making, both at the individual level and at the family and social levels,” said Arifah Fauzi.

She stated that the government has established gender mainstreaming as a national strategy in development.

Gender mainstreaming ensures that women and men have equal access, participation, control, and benefits in all development processes.

“The first is strengthening gender-responsive policies and planning. Second, transforming curricula and teaching materials,” she said.

The third is creating a safe and inclusive educational environment. The fourth is enhancing the capacity of educators and educational personnel.

“And the fifth is expanding access and participation for women, especially in STEM fields,” said Arifah Fauzi.

She hopes that the “Launch of the Women’s Empowerment through Education Month” event will become a major movement with an impact on women’s empowerment.

“I hope this launch of the women’s empowerment through education month becomes the beginning of a large-scale sustainable movement, a movement that does not stop at ceremonies, but is realised in real policy actions that are pro-women, as well as changes in societal perspectives,” she said.