On Kartini Day, Banyuwangi Regent Gathers Women's Aspirations through 'Women's Forum'

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani held the ‘Rembug Perempuan’ forum at the Minak Jinggo Hall in the Banyuwangi Regency Office to commemorate Kartini Day. The forum was organised to gather aspirations while strengthening women’s participation in next year’s regional development.

The event was attended by dozens of women from various backgrounds, ranging from community organisations, religious groups, health workers, business actors, to literacy communities and social companions.

“Regional progress cannot be achieved without active involvement of women. We continue to encourage policies that favour women and children, in line with Kartini’s visionary ideas that advocated for education, equal opportunities, and women’s dignity,” said Ipuk in her statement on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Ipuk stated that women play a very significant role, not only in the family but also in the fields of economy, education, health, social affairs, culture, and even leadership. The forum aims to listen to women’s voices, absorb their aspirations, and formulate steps in regional development.

“Through this forum, I hope fresh ideas and solutions will emerge that make Banyuwangi women empowered, independent, healthy, intelligent, and prosperous, becoming family supporters and economic drivers,” said Ipuk.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Development Planning Agency, Suyanto Waspotondo, revealed that the Women’s Forum activity was divided into four groups representing women. The forum highlighted four main themes: digital literacy, mental health, women’s empowerment, and business and creative economy.

“Previously, the representatives had visited OPDs (Regional Government Organisations) to gain insights and collect materials. Then each group discussed with facilitators and formulated planning inputs,” explained Suyanto.

In the forum, various aspirations emerged from the participants, one of which came from the representative of the Indonesian Women’s Ulama Congress (KUPI), Zulfi Zumala. She hoped for training for children and parents on digital literacy, consultation and complaint channels for digital violence cases, and multi-stakeholder-based mitigation related to digital violence.

“To support women’s productivity, we also propose enhancing capacity in using social media for productivity, financial literacy training, and digital security training for women,” said Zulfi.

Various other proposals also emerged, including women’s empowerment through strengthening economic empowerment programmes for Female Household Heads via the “Kanggo Riko” programme initiated by the Banyuwangi Regency Government. Then, strengthening mental health for women and children, health hotlines, creative economy training, and other proposals.

For information, the event was also attended by PKK activists at the district and sub-district levels, Islamic religious organisations Aisyiyah (Muhammadiyah) and Muslimat (Nahdlatul Ulama), the Catholic Women’s Association, Hindu and Buddhist women, as well as the Indonesian Women’s Ulama Congress (KUPI).

Also present were representatives of female Village Heads and female Village Secretaries, the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI), Literacy Activists, the Indonesian Women’s Entrepreneurs Association (IWAPI) and Travel, Posyandu Cadres, Migrant Care, to female UMKM actors in the region.