IO – At the conclusion of the Roundtable Discussion themed “Generating Commitments to Build Forward”, the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Member of the RI House of Representatives issued a statement of commitment to achieve gender equality by strengthening female participation in politics and the economy.
A member of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the RI House of Representatives, Irine Yusiana Roba Putri reported that even though about half of the world’s population are women, they are still discriminated against, brushed aside, and marginalized. Women all over the world face difficulties in having their basic rights met in political, economic, cultural, and social situations.
“The current level of female participation (in politics) has de-creased thanks to the global health crisis caused by the severity of COVID-19. COVID-19has both exposed and deepened gender inequality,” Irine stated in a speech in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday (08/06/2021). “In turn, inequality of female access, specifically to political power and economic resources, has worsened the impact of the crisis to both society and the economy. Rebuilding civilization properly requires tougher, more equal actions.”
Research shows that the higher the number of women in power in politics and economy, the more gender equality, social welfare, and environmental care be the core considerations of each new policy made. “For this purpose, the Parliament has the primary role of pushing a strong agenda for gender equality by strengthening female participation in politics and economy,” Irine said. “Through strong cooperation and collaboration with Women Political Leaders (“WPL”), female members of the Indonesian Parliament bear their responsibility to make gender equality a reality in Indonesia.”
As a WPL Ambassador for Indonesia, Irine further expresses some points of commitment that Indonesian female parliament members will bring in global forums. “First, they intend to discharge their constitutional responsibility of formulating and improving the contents of regulations and the State Budet make them more pro-gender equality, and by strictly monitoring the implementation of their creation,” she said.
Second, to strongly support global efforts to make gender equality a reality, including through the Beijing Declaration and Action Platform, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the Generational Equality Forum.
Third, actively maintaining strong and sustainable cooperation and collaboration with the Government, civil society, academicians, community figures, religious figures, media figures, and other influential institutions to jointly make gender equality a reality and mitigate discrimination and violence against women at national, regional, and global levels.
Fourth, putting gender equality in mainstream legislation and national budget that involve society at large, constituents, and grassroot citizens, with the purpose of growing public awareness that full participation of women is extremely important for encouraging sustainable peace, welfare, and prosperity in society.
Fifth, encouraging more women to be involved in decision-making positions in politics and productive economy. Female involvement in these sectors will generate positive impact to gender equality because they will be fighting for their own basic rights.
Sixth, harmonizing mitigation of the pandemic to a gender equality perspective by one, ensuring the equality in female representation in each planning and decision-making relating to COVID-19 mitigation; and two, targeting women in each effort to mitigate the socioeconomic impact COVID-19 by providing for them in new regulations, budgeting, and monitoring processes. And seventh, building and continuing international partnership with relevant organizations at national and global levels, including UN agencies and NGOs, by emphasizing female empowerment in politics and economy in order to encourage holistic approaches that will support gender inclusion and female empowerment. (des)