At The 143rd IPU Madrid, Puan Talks About Gender Equality: The Rights Of Indonesian Women To Participate In Politics Are Guaranteed By Law

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Maharani (Photo of the House of Representatives Doc)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, emphasized that Indonesia is aware of the importance of gender-responsive legal reform in the 143rd Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), which was held in Madrid, Spain. Puan said this was an effort to integrate a gender perspective into national development policies and programs. "Indonesia has also reviewed national legislation to strengthen the legal framework and gender mainstreaming policy," said Puan in a written statement received by the editors.

This was conveyed at the forum of women parliamentarians in the 143rd IPU General Assembly which took place at IFEMA Palacio Municipal, Friday 26 November. At the panel discussion entitled Strategies for gender-responsive law making: its benefits and related challenges, Puan said the study conducted by Indonesia created a strong foundation for reducing discrimination and fulfilling women's rights. and evaluation of development policies at the national and local levels,” said the first woman who served as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

Puan also revealed that the DPR RI has a Women's Parliamentary Caucus forum which continues to work to achieve institutions that are in favor of gender equality and are representative of women. He emphasized that Indonesia guarantees women have equal rights in politics. "The right of Indonesian women to participate in politics and political parties is guaranteed by the law on elections and political parties," said Puan.

According to her, gender-responsive legal reform provides benefits in the form of improving the quality of life and women's participation. At least, said Puan, that is what is happening in Indonesia.

In addition, gender-responsive legal reform is said to increase the protection of women from various acts of violence. Of course, added Puan, including the protection of women from trafficking and early marriage. "During the early years of gender mainstreaming in Indonesia, we were faced with the challenge of being difficult to translate the notion of gender," she said.

Puan said that this challenge made gender mainstreaming efforts still narrowly focused on increasing women's participation rather than focusing broadly on issues of human rights and empowerment.

"However, I believe that the full involvement of women in national development programs is not only an affirmative policy, but a bold act to respect human dignity," said Puan. At the IPU General Assembly in Madrid, Puan will also be a speaker at several sessions. In addition to the women's parliamentary forum, she will deliver a speech at the General Debate session with the theme Contemporary Challenges to Democracy: Overcoming division and building community.

The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia Bung Karno will also fill the Governing Council session to present the results of the First Global Conference on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which was held virtually in Jakarta on September 28-30 2021. Next, Puan will give a speech at closing session of the Madrid 143rd IPU General Assembly forum as well as conveying an invitation to all Parliaments of IPU member countries to attend the 144th IPU Session which will be held in Indonesia in March 2022.

On the sidelines of this international parliamentary forum, Puan will also hold several bilateral meetings. Among them were the Speaker of the Spanish Parliament, the President of the IPU, and the Secretary General of the UN WTO.