Fadli Zon And Arifatul Choiri Fauzi Agree To Gender And Child Protection Through The Cultural Path

Menbud Fadli Zon and PPPA Minister Arifatul Choiri Fauzi signed a copy. (IST)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifatul Choiri Fauzi regarding strengthening gender mainstreaming in culture. The signing took place in the RA Kartini Hall, PPPA Ministry Office, Monday, April 21, 2025.

The cooperation between these two ministries includes five main things: synergy of gender equality policies and child protection, public education through culture, human resource training, dissemination of information, to the provision and exchange of inter-institutional data.

Fadli Zon called this collaboration a strategic step to build a fairer and more inclusive cultural understanding. "Tulture is not only a matter of inheritance, but also a space for value struggle. Through culture, we can instill awareness about the rights of women and children from an early age," he said.

The Ministry of Culture affirms its commitment to fighting for the justice of narratives for women, children and communities that have been marginalized in the national cultural landscape. This step was emphasized as part of efforts to build a fairer and more inclusive cultural understanding.

"We are committed to providing space for women's narratives, children's experiences, and ways of life that have been considered suburban," said Menbud Fadli. This is not a matter of cultural politicization, but a matter of epistemic justice, a fair way of understanding and representing culture," explained Culture Minister Fadli Zon.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Culture rejects all forms of violence wrapped in the name of tradition. "Culture is not an impunity zone," said Fadli.

The ministry also supports research and cultural documentation in favor of each other. In Minangkabau, research on Bundo Kanduang has been staged as a symbol of women's strength. In Papua, traditional mothers are involved in documentation of ritual practices that are full of education and intergenerational relations.

In addition, development of child-friendly cultural infrastructure and women continues, especially in disadvantaged areas. Affirmive funds are allocated to female artists and traditional schools led by women.

The Minister of PPPA, Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, stated that this collaboration is part of a concrete effort to strengthen the rights of Indonesian women and children. "The problems of women and children are very complex, and cannot be resolved by just one ministry," he said.

On that occasion, Fadli Zon quoted Sapardi Djoko Damono as saying, "A woman keeps the sky in her eyes and the children write it down again in the rain." He invited all parties to keep the sky from being seized and the rain was not wasted.