Puan: Women must be involved in public decision-making

Jakarta – Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) RI, Puan Maharani, has stressed that women must be placed as decision-makers in public policy, not merely as those who bear the impact of global and national issues.

“Women’s involvement in a global context is a reflection of how seriously we place women as decision-makers, not merely as recipients of effects,” Puan Maharani said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

At the forum “Women in Parliament: From Representation to Policy Transformation” at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday (21 May), Puan said global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate crisis, and human security issues demand women’s involvement in the policy-making process of the nation.

Puan said strengthening women’s roles should not stop at political representation, but must be materialised in concrete policies integrated into the government system.

“Commitment linked to real policies. Commitment integrated into the state system. Commitments that are measurable and accountable,” she said.

Puan said the Kaukus Perempuan Parlemen Republik Indonesia (KPPRI) has a strategic position to bridge parliament with the government, civil society, and the international community in strengthening the women’s empowerment agenda.

According to Puan, policy transformation requires an ecosystem that can connect legislation with realities in society, including strengthening women’s voices at the grassroots level.

“An ecosystem that links regulation with advocacy, that links legislation with real-world realities, that links the voices of women at the grassroots with policies born in Senayan,” she said.

Meanwhile, KPPRI Secretary-General Sarifah Ainun Jariyah said KPPRI will strengthen advocacy and cross-sector collaboration to push policies that directly impact women and children.

“So, not only ceremonial activities, but advocacy activities that certainly can impact policy for empowered women,” she said.

KPPRI will also broaden cooperation with civil society organisations, NGOs, and international partners to strengthen support for women’s empowerment and inclusive democracy.

Committee Chair Amelia Anggraini added that women’s perspectives are important in the process of public policy-making amid economic challenges, digital transformation, and social change.

“Women’s perspectives are very important in the process of making public policy,” Amelia said.