Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection: Women must have equal access to education and the economy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi stated that Indonesian women must have equal access to formal education, digital literacy, vocational skills, and economic opportunities.

“We must ensure that every Indonesian woman has equal access to formal education, digital literacy, vocational skills, and economic opportunities,” said Minister PPPA Arifah Fauzi when opening the National Women’s Forum titled “Maintaining National Resilience” in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to her, the government continues to commit to promoting gender-responsive policies, including mainstreaming gender in all development sectors, strengthening the protection of women and children, increasing women’s participation in decision-making, integrating gender perspectives into climate change policies, and sustainable development.

“This commitment aligns with our efforts to realise an inclusive, fair, and sustainable Indonesia,” said Arifah Fauzi.

“Women are the main pillar because women play a role in the family as the first and primary educator for children. In the economy, women as drivers of MSMEs and supporters of family economy. In social life, women as strengtheners of solidarity and social cohesion. And in leadership, women as inclusive decision-makers,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi.

Through the National Women’s Forum, she hopes to build joint commitments to strengthen the role of women, encourage the emergence of ideas and innovations in women’s empowerment, and establish sustainable cross-sector collaborations.

“Empowered women are not an option, but a necessity. Gender equality is not discourse, but the foundation of development. National resilience starts from the family and women are the key. There is no quality development without gender equality,” said Arifah Fauzi.