RI to attend UN session on women

RI to attend UN session on women

JAKARTA: State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Farida
Hatta Swasono is heading for New York this weekend, to detail the
country's efforts to empower women at the 49th plenary session of
the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women.

Held on Monday until March 11, the session is aimed at
evaluating the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) signed in 1995
to end all discrimination against women.

Meutia said Indonesia had made progress especially regarding
its gender mainstreaming in national development programs
including education, politics and health, and the passing of Law
No. 23/2004 on the eradication of domestic violence.

"However, there are still a lot of problems relating to women,
such as poverty, a lack of education, and violence. They are
rooted in cultural perceptions that still place women in a
subordinate position," Meutia said on Friday.

After the session, Meutia, along with other ministers from
Muslim countries plan to Laura Bush in Washington DC. -- JP