TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) touched on gender equality during his meeting with New Zealand’s Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at the Government House on Monday. He said this issue could strengthen the ties between both countries.

According to Jokowi, women’s improvement in Indonesia had exceeded expectations despite Indonesia's status as the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. He added he was also proud of his female cabinet members.

“I have eight female ministers from 34 ministerial positions with strategic portfolios," said the seventh Indonesian President.

Read: Jokowi's Coffee Diplomacy in New Zealand

Jokowi claimed he also championed the ‘HeForSHe’ campaign introduced in 2014 by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women.

Jokowi’s meeting with Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy was part of the former's official state visit to New Zealand. Jokowi was also welcomed by Maori elder Professor Piri Sciascia at Government House in Wellington, where both took part in a distinctive Maori greeting tradition of gently pressing against each other's forehead and nose.

After the welcoming ceremony, President Jokowi and Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy held a discussion for more than half an hour before heading to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to pay respect.

VINDRY FLORENTIN