Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA)Bintang Puspayogahas said that her ministry is continuing to raise public awareness on women’s empowerment and gender equality to support women’s leadership and advance the country.”There is a patriarchal culture that becomes a barrier for women to participate in our country’s development process. However, we continue to pursue the transformation of cultural perceptions by raising public awareness about women’s empowerment and gender equality,” she informed in a press release on the Global Summit of Women, which was received in Jakarta on Friday.

The minister joined the Global Summit of Women in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, via virtual means.

She said that women are valuable assets that must be managed and empowered to ensure a better future for themselves, their families, and the environment, and thereby, positively impact the country’s economy.

“Indonesia, which currently has a population of more than 270 million people, with almost half of whom are women, with 70 percent of them being women of reproductive age, is a tremendous asset to develop the country,” she said.

Regarding this matter, efforts to protect and empower women are not only a priority but also the key to achieving a peaceful and prosperous future for all, Puspayoga said.

“The Indonesian government has ensured the future of its people through the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which guarantees the right of all citizens to have equal rights to feel safe, protected from all forms of violence, and acts of discrimination,” she added.

The global women’s summit, which was themed “The Global Summit on The Role of Female Leadership in Establishing Peace, Social Integration, and Driving Prosperity,” was attended by representatives from more than 100 countries.

The meeting agreed on the importance of supporting women’s leadership and the support of fellow women given the increasing challenges on account of the pandemic and conflict. It also stressed on the importance of opening dialogue, cooperation, and joint statements to support each other to realize inclusive women’s leadership.

baca-jugaRelated news: Need affirmative action for gender equality in political leadershipRelated news: Need greater women’s participation in political decision-making: DPRRelated news: andgt20 Empower encourages women’s leadership in private sector

Source: Antara News Agency