House Of Representatives Commission VII: Parliament Is Very Friendly With Women And Children

Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo emphasized that the DPR as a people's representative institution is very friendly towards women and children who are included in vulnerable groups.

"From my experience, because this is my second period, actually the DPR is very friendly to women and children if in terms of us are members of the DPR," Rahayu told ANTARA in the Kemang area, South Jakarta, Saturday, March 8.

He revealed that his colleagues in the DPR always provide full support, including when he was pregnant and the process of giving birth.

"I myself experienced how my colleagues in the DPR strongly supported me during my pregnancy and childbirth. However, in terms of policy, of course there are still challenges to ensure that this good perception is really realized in implementation," he said.

Rahayu also revealed that he had submitted a proposal for the provision of child care facilities (daycare) and lactation rooms within the DPR to the House of Representatives House of Representatives (BURT).

"I have submitted daycare facilities and lactation rooms, but because I do not have the authority, I will continue to fight for them. In fact, this facility was actually in the DPR," he said.

According to him, most members of the DPR and experts already have their own room, so that the lactation room does not become a problem for them. However, he stressed that these facilities are very necessary for other workers within the DPR.

"Maybe for other workers, this still has to be fought for," he added.

Previously, the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, also emphasized that the workplace has the obligation to provide child care facilities in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 4 of 2024 concerning Maternal and Child Welfare in the First Phase of the Thousand Days of Life (UU KIA).

"The provision of child care facilities or daycare in offices is actually mandatory according to the rules in the KIA Law which is an initiative of the DPR," said Puan in a statement received in Jakarta, Friday, March 7.

He said that the provision of daycare facilities aims to support women working to remain productive without neglecting their role as mothers.

"The issue of providing daycare for parents has long been a concern for the DPR. Therefore, in Article 30 Paragraph (3) of the KIA Law, we regulate the obligation of the workplace to provide health services, lactation rooms, and child care places," he explained.

Puan also emphasized that the daycare facilities provided in the workplace must be of quality and in accordance with the company's minimum standards, given several cases of violence in daycare that occurred previously.

"The provision of daycare in the workplace is not only a matter of practical solutions, but also how the state is present to create a work ecosystem that supports women and children's growth and development," he said.

He also asked the government to immediately issue derivative regulations in the implementation of the KIA Law, including policies related to the provision of daycare in the work environment.