PPPA Minister Calls for Public Spaces That Respect Women's Dignity

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi has called on all parties to build public spaces that respect women’s dignity and support the realisation of gender equality. “Every work published to the public, including songs, must prioritise respect for women’s dignity, not reinforce gender stereotypes, and not contain narratives that have the potential to perpetuate gender-based discrimination,” said PPPA Minister Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta on Monday. She made the statement in response to the song titled “Lalaki Langit, Lalanang Bejat” by Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein, which has become a polemic because its lyrics potentially perpetuate gender-based discrimination. She expressed hope that this momentum could serve as a reminder that artistic and cultural works have a strategic role in shaping society’s perspectives, values, and social norms. Therefore, she continued, artistic and cultural works are expected to become educational tools that encourage respect for women’s dignity, strengthen gender equality, and build a culture of mutual respect. Violence prevention is not only carried out through law enforcement when violence occurs, but also through strengthening a culture of mutual respect, using inclusive language, and conveying public messages that do not normalise discrimination or gender bias. “The PPPA Ministry respects freedom of expression and artistic creation as part of democratic life. However, this freedom must also be accompanied by social responsibility by considering the impact of the messages conveyed to the public, especially towards groups that still face various forms of inequality and discrimination,” said PPPA Minister Arifah Fauzi.