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Promotion of gender equality slipping in Indonesia
Every party, ranging from the government to the private sector, should contribute to pushing for gender equality in Indonesia, as the country has experienced a lack of progress in creating fairness for all genders in recent years.
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Deputy Women’s Empowerment and Children's Protection Minister Veronica Tan illustrates how structural problems, like lack of access to education and economic disempowerment result in a cycle of gender inequity for generations, during a discussion held by Magdalene.co to commemorate International Women’s Day in Jakarta, on March 13, 2025. (Courtesy of Magdalene/Courtesy of Magdalene)
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ndonesia is following a global trend among other countries in facing significant challenges to achieving gender equality, with accelerated efforts needed from the government, business and civil society to push for fairness in the country.
The issue was raised during “Why Gender Equity Matters and We Need to #AccelerateActions” discussion held by feminist online media outlet Magdalene.co in commemoration of International Women’s Day in Jakarta on Thursday.
While some women can freely voice their thoughts in higher-education environments, many others still lack access to education, thus do not have the ability to advocate for their rights, according to Deputy Women’s Empowerment and Children’s Protection Minister Veronica Tan.
Such a situation was unfortunate, she added, because women’s insights are crucial for effective policymaking.
“At policy discussions at the village level, for example, women are rarely included. The meetings are often dominated by men because they are considered the heads of households,” the deputy minister said at Thursday’s discussion.
“We need to push for women’s participation; perhaps by requiring at least 60 percent of female representation before such a forum can begin,” she continued.
Read also: Regional administrations criticized for ‘embedded sexism’
