TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In commemorating mother’s day, State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir strongly condemned any form of sexual violence and sexual harassment. The event was held for those within the SOEs circle entitled “SOEs working professional without harassment.”

“I strongly condemn employers who take advantage of female employees through unprofessional ways. A team manager, passengers to flight attendants, or merely two friends being facetious,” said Minister Erick Thohir at the Djakarta Theater on Sunday, December 22.

He strongly called for sexual harassment, which he asserts is a criminal act, to be ended at this moment. Erick also called for women to stand their ground and be vocal about any form of activities that are demeaning them as a person and gender.

“We move together and bring changes. Ladies, let us unite against sexual violence,” said the Minister. “No matter how small the harassment or sexual violence is, it cannot be accepted.”

The event was also attended by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani and Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah.

Furthermore, Erick Thohir mentioned about today’s gender equality that has seen improvements, despite cases of sexual violence and sexual harassment still looming over society. He said on average Indonesia sees two sexual violence cases every 30 minutes.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO