Indonesia works with Uzbekistan to accelerate gender equality

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi said she supports Indonesia and Uzbekistan's collaboration to accelerate gender equality.

"International collaboration is important for the two countries to learn each other's success story and promote a more equal and inclusive world," Fauzi said in a statement on Sunday.

She conveyed this during a bilateral meeting with the Uzbekistan First Deputy Chairman Senate of Parliament Sodiq Safoyev on the sidelines of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.

She hopes the discussion can strengthen the partnership between Indonesia and Uzbekistan in promoting women and children's rights.

At the meeting, both parties discussed various strategic efforts and shared good practices in strengthening women's participation in politics and gender-based policy reforms in both countries.

Fauzi lauded Uzbekistan's progress in women's participation in parliament which had reached 34.6 percent in February 2024. The percentage had exceeded the affirmative quota of 30 percent.

"This achievement shows Uzbekistan's strong commitment to achieving gender equality," she applauded.

She informed that Indonesia is also increasing women's representation in politics. In the 2024-2029 period, women's representation in the House of Representatives (DPR) reached 22 percent, the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) with 19 percent, and the Regional Representative Council (DPD) with 37 percent.

"We believe, good practices in the two countries can be a lesson and encourage progress in Indonesia," the minister continued.

After the meeting, the the two parties agreed to make a joint agreement where the Uzbek government also plans to invite Fauzi to visit Uzbekistan to review the progress of the women's empowerment program in the country.

Earlier on Friday (March 14), Fauzi also emphasized Indonesia's commitment to expediting implementation of gender equality and women's empowerment at the 69th CSW.

"Indonesia is strongly committed to gender equality and women's empowerment. This commitment is the main driver for our real action in reducing the gender inequality index from 0.472 in 2020 to 0.447 in 2023. This was a result of various policies and programs designed to improve women's welfare in various aspects of life," she noted.