Sleman, Yogyakarta (ANTARA) – Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga has emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is the first step to resolving the issues of child violence, child labor, and child marriage.
Economically empowered women can provide solutions to those issues, Minister Puspayoga during her visit to Wedomartani village, Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (July 5).
She said the patriarchal culture that is still strong in a number of regions needs to be challenged.
“There needs to be regional commitment, not only from central leaders, governors, mayors, and district heads, but village chiefs at the grassroots level,” the minister said.
Women should be involved in development planning and children’s wishes should be accommodated, she added.
Policy makers need to pay attention to women and children as they are the strength of the nation, she stressed.
Puspayoga pointed out the directives of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on women’s empowerment and child protection that touch on gender perspective, education, and entrepreneurship.
“We would have no obstacles if we have a joint commitment, which has been made in Wedomartani village,” she said.
Deputy district head of Sleman, Danang Maharsa, informed that the district administration has continued to strive to initiate various programs and policies to encourage gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, and child protection.
“One of the efforts we have made is the existence of women-friendly and child-loving villages in Sleman, namely Pandowoharjo village and Wedomartani village,” Maharsa said.
Source : Antara News
