Protecting the Environment and the Earth Means Safeguarding Our Children's Future
The Indonesian Women’s Congress (Kowani) held a National Seminar for World Environment Day 2026 with the theme ‘Towards a Century of Kowani, One Commitment to the Earth: The Role of Indonesian Women for the Environment’ at the Malahayati Room, Kowani Building, Jakarta, on Tuesday. The hybrid event served as a momentum to strengthen the commitment of Indonesian women to environmental preservation while promoting concrete action through a simultaneous tree-planting movement across all Kowani member organisations.
The national seminar was attended by representatives of Kowani member organisations from various regions, ministry and local government representatives, researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), academics, environmental activists, women’s organisations, and communities concerned with climate change and sustainable development.
Kowani Chairwoman Nanie Hadi Tjahjanto asserted that women have a crucial role as agents of change in facing environmental challenges. She noted that women’s involvement is necessary to build environmental awareness at both the family and community levels.
‘Ahead of Kowani’s centenary, we want to strengthen the commitment of Indonesian women to take part in protecting the earth. Women hold a strategic position, both in the family and society, to instil awareness and a culture of environmental care from an early age,’ said Nanie.
Nanie added that World Environment Day is not only a moment for reflection, but also a call to take concrete steps in preserving nature. Therefore, Kowani initiated the simultaneous tree-planting movement as a form of contribution by Indonesian women to environmental conservation efforts.
Nanie also stressed that Kowani must become a pioneer in the movement to protect the earth because environmental conservation is a long-term investment for the nation’s future. ‘Kowani must be a pioneer in protecting the earth. Because protecting the earth is tantamount to safeguarding the future of our children and grandchildren. What we do today will determine the quality of life for future generations,’ she emphasised.
During the seminar, Deputy Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency, Prof Dr Amarulla Octavian, highlighted the importance of research and innovation as a foundation for formulating sustainable environmental policies. ‘The challenges of climate change and environmental degradation require a science-based approach so that the solutions implemented can deliver real impact,’ said Prof Amarulla.
Meanwhile, BRIN researcher Prof Dr R Siti Zuhro, MA, emphasised the significant potential of Indonesian women in supporting sustainable development. With the female population reaching approximately 142.33 million, their involvement is considered a vital factor in maintaining environmental sustainability.
‘Women have a strategic contribution through family education, community organising, green economy development, and environmental leadership. In addition, women also play a role in managing household consumption patterns and instilling social values that support environmental sustainability,’ said Zuhro.
The Deputy Governor of South Papua, Paskalis Imadawa, also invited all elements of the nation to preserve the environment as a valuable heritage for future generations. The seminar also featured the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency, Dudi Gardesi, and the Chairwoman of the South Papua BKOW, Tetyliana Moi Wolo Imadewa, SE.
Former Kowani Chairwoman for the 2009–2014 period, Dewi Motik, emphasised the importance of reviving the spirit of the ‘Plant and Nurture’ movement, which was once a flagship Kowani programme. According to her, simple yet sustainable actions such as planting and caring for trees are concrete steps the community can take to maintain environmental sustainability.
With the spirit of ‘Women in Motion, Environment Preserved, Indonesia Sustainable’, Kowani invited the entire community to make environmental conservation a collective movement for the nation’s future. ‘Caring for the earth is part of caring for Indonesia. Protecting the earth means safeguarding the future of our children and grandchildren,’ concluded Nanie Hadi Tjahjanto.
Dewi Motik noted that differing opinions within organisations like Kowani are normal. Kowani believes that collaboration among women’s organisations is key to accelerating the realisation of the nation’s ideals. Women’s leadership is not merely about occupying strategic positions, but about bringing values of empathy, collaboration, and resilience across various sectors of life.