PKK Bali and Australian Consulate emphasise women's voices in support of a peaceful world
Denpasar — The Women’s Empowerment Movement (PKK) Bali, together with Australia’s Consulate General, has emphasised the importance of women’s participation and voices in supporting global peace.
“Wars exist everywhere but we want this world to be peaceful. Let us speak for peace,” said Putri Suastini Koster, head of PKK Bali’s movement team, during International Women’s Day commemorations in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday.
She expressed concern about the current state of the world, including geopolitical crises that affect global populations and have a disproportionate impact on women and children. These conditions present challenges to joint efforts in supporting gender equality.
In line with Koster’s remarks, Australian Consul General Joe Stevens noted that women’s voices are meaningful for peace because women comprise nearly 50 per cent of the world’s population.
Furthermore, the senior diplomat highlighted that women still face vulnerabilities, including the escalating climate crisis and humanitarian crises that make women and children susceptible to death from natural disasters and at high risk of displacement.
Several efforts are needed to strengthen women’s positions, including ensuring equal access to healthcare, employment, and socio-economic opportunities.
Stevens added that in 2025, Australia has launched an equality strategy that includes ending violence, pursuing economic equality, and supporting localised approaches to women’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the International Women’s Day commemorations also included discussions on equality and women’s roles, attended by representatives of non-governmental organisations, women’s communities, and women entrepreneurs.
On this occasion, Anak Agung Sagung Mas Dwipayani, head of Bali’s Department of Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection, assessed that gender inequality in Bali is amongst the lowest in Indonesia.
She cited data from Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), which shows that Bali’s gender inequality index in 2025 ranks third best nationally, with a figure of 0.183.