Who Is The Heaviest Burden During The Pandemic According To Sri Mulyani? The Answer: Women!

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the COVID-19 pandemic has really affected people's lives, both men and women.

Especially for women, pandemics are closely related to economic activities that involve the implementation of household activities, in which many women become activists or work in this field.

"So we provide support from the government because we know that the corona virus does not only affect economic activity, but also creates a huge burden at the household level and that means women will bear most of the burden," explained Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani in a Panel Discussion. Women's World Banking Virtual Conference as reported by the official website, Tuesday, March 9.

At the panel discussion organized by the World Bank, the Minister of Finance explained that even before the pandemic, women also had difficult conditions in terms of financial access.

It was stated that it was much more difficult for them to access capital, especially from banks or formal financial institutions. In addition, women are also less financially literate, especially when combined with digital technology.

"So when we all understand that there are obstacles to interacting physically, then we have to go digital and this becomes a challenge for a woman," she said.

“So how are we really going to help women so that they can have access to capital, understanding financial literacy and have the skills to understand digital applications and then they will be able to use it. I think these are all challenges we face, "he continued.

Sri Mulyani added that the government was trying its best to restore the economy.

Among them are by facilitating access to banks, providing access to capital or restructuring loans including interest subsidies, providing assistance to ultra-micro and small and medium enterprises. Then, introduce financial literacy and an understanding of digital applications.

"This is a very important opportunity how to convert some conventional social programs into digitalization. Digital technology applies not only to social protection, but we also directly support many small and medium enterprises, which are owned by women, "concluded the Minister of Finance.