TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi expressed his support for gender equality and the importance of women to achieve world peace. He conveyed the message yesterday at a people’s festival to commemorate International Day for Peace in Annuqqayah Islamic Boarding School in East Java.
Yesterday’s festival involved UN Women and Wahid Foundation, a local organization fighting for gender equality. According to the President, a woman’s role in maintaining peace starts from her family.
President Joko Widodo said that peace cannot be created by coercion. Instead, he said, peace ought to be fostered. Therefore, events that can improve peace should be supported.
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“I appreciate the partnership between UN Women and Wahid Foundation through ‘Perempuan Berdaya, Komunitas Damai’ [Empowered Women, Peaceful Communities] to build peaceful communities. Let’s embed, grow and spread the values of peace,” he said.
Regional Director of UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Miwa Kato, said that women have a unique position in the efforts to build peace and tolerance. Therefore, they cannot be marginalized in economic, social and political activities. She said that women’s participation in the activities will make Indonesia stronger, more inclusive and peaceful.
Separately, Wahid Foundation Director Yenny Wahid said that women empowerment is part of the efforts to create peaceful and tolerant communities. “It’s a good step for women, the society, and Indonesia,” she said.
ISTMAN MP
