Ministry of Women Empowerment Supports Creation of Safe Spaces for Women through Martial Arts

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, has encouraged women and girls to build courage and self-defence capabilities through sports and martial arts.

“Sports such as karate, ju-jitsu, pencak silat, judo, aikido, and vovinam are still often perceived as not being part of the female world, even though they can build self-confidence and mental strength for girls,” said Deputy Minister Tan in Jakarta on Tuesday.

She made these remarks during the Southeast Asia Women Citizen Dialogue Indonesia (SEA-WCD Indonesia) event.

However, she noted that patriarchal culture still exists, creating differences in how girls and boys are raised, including in providing access to education, dreams, and self-development.

“Therefore, I emphasise that the struggle is not merely about talking about gender equality, but about justice and equal opportunities for every child to thrive,” said Veronica Tan.

She also stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration in creating safe, equal, and inclusive spaces for women and girls.

“Wherever we are, whether in Japan, Indonesia, Europe, or other countries, we have a shared responsibility to help and support our women and children. I hope this dialogue can build more courage for women and girls to believe in their rights—the right to dream and the right to protect themselves,” added Veronica Tan.

Meanwhile, the Co-Founder and Secretary-General of Guardian Girls International, Shin Koyamada, stated that Indonesia has the opportunity to become a regional and global leader in advancing women’s empowerment through sports, culture, and community action.

“Through partnerships across Southeast Asia, we hope to create a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable community for women and girls,” said Shin Koyamada.