Indonesia's Speech On Women's Equality At The 144th Session Of The IPU Praised By The World Parliament Forum

DPR Speaker Puan Maharani (center) attends the Forum of Women Parliamentarians as part of the 144th IPU Assembly Session. (ANTARA/HO-Media DPR RI)

BALI - The speech and leadership of the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani during the 144th Assembly Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) world parliamentary forum was praised.

IPU President Duarte Pacheco and IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong and delegates representing parliaments from 115 countries praised Puan during an event held at BICC, Nusa Dua, Bali, on 20-24 March 2022.

The delegation representing the Mexican parliament, Marisol Garcia Segura, said that Puan's speech as the chair of the assembly session was inspiring.

“Madam's speech was extraordinary. He talks about equality (equality). He has great ideas and he knows the conditions women face, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Marisol, quoted from Antara.

He also agreed with Puan's proposal to encourage parliament to build a culture of peace.

"Indonesia's perspective is good. We are happy that we can share with each other in this forum because we have similarities in preparing for the future, similarities in (fight for) women's issues," she explained.

Secretary General of the IPU Martin Chungong also extended his praise to Ms. Puan. "Puan Maharani's leadership in organizing the IPU has become a symbol of women's leadership in the world," said Martin Chungong.

In this regard, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Parliamentary Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Gilang Dhiela Fararez expressed appreciation to the Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives which was also given by the heads of delegations who met Puan at bilateral meetings.

According to the heads of the delegation, Indonesia is a professional host and attentive to the needs of the invited guests.

"The Chairperson (DPR RI) always asks the needs of the delegates. If there is a shortage, (they) are free to convey. Those little things get a warm response from (invited guests)," said Gilang.

On the sidelines of the 144th Assembly Session of the IPU, the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, held bilateral meetings with parliaments from Egypt, the Arab League, South Korea, Bahrain, Thailand, Timor Leste, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Tanzania, Malawi, and Guiana.