TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) maintains that the issue of gender equality remains to be a problem in the first year of the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin administration.

“This is visible in a number of state-ministry level activities that are filled with male speakers entirely,” says Komnas Perempuan chairperson Andy Yentriyani in a written statement released on Thursday, October 22.

According to Andy, gender inequality is visible in the lack of women in the selection processes of a number of independent institutions, whose committee members are appointed by the President.

Moreover, Komnas Perempuan argues that the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin administration was not quick enough to respond to how the COVID-19 pandemic has made women more vulnerable. She says this is seen in the policies related to reproduction, pregnancy, labor, and ‘family planning’ programs.

“A study by the Komnas Perempuan on family dynamics amidst the pandemic shows that women carry burdens far more than men during the pandemic,” says Andy who relates that issue with the nature of patriarchy.

The Komnas Perempuan recommends the government to strengthen the synergy among state-ministries, organizations, and the general public to support the government’s policy implementation. Especially in overcoming the issue of gender inequality caused by the culture of misogyny that they argue is often justified by religious understanding that is non-cordial towards women.

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Komnas Perempuan: There Has Been Increase in Domestic Violence During Pandemic

FRISKI RIANA