Mother's Day and Indonesia's Progress

Mother's Day, which falls on 22 Dec., is being celebrated nationwide this year with the theme of "Empowered Women in Advanced Indonesia".

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A number of women from the Civil Coalition for the Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers staged an action in front of the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (21/12/2022). In the action which was also held to welcome Mother's Day, he asked the government and the DPR to immediately pass the Law on the Protection of Domestic Workers.

The theme implicitly states that women have not yet attained the level set as part of Indonesia’s independence goals. Among these goals is to ensure that every citizen, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, class, or gender, has equal rights.

The attainment of equality has brought progress to many countries. Women have achieved much progress in terms of equal rights, equal access and civil rights since the Women's Congress on 28 Oct. 1928. This congress was the forerunner to awareness of women’s rights among various tribes across the archipelago, united as a single Indonesian nation, and the concurrent awareness of the importance of women's role in developing Indonesia.

Also read:

> Misconception of Mother’s Day

> Politicization of Women’s Bodies

The subtheme of Mother's Day 2022 represents women’s current efforts in entrepreneurial skills to build resilience in post-pandemic recovery and in dealing with the impacts of the global uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as in Industry 4.0, marked by the development of the digital economy. Women leaders have also dealt with the issue of social, economic and political recovery since the pandemic and ahead of the 2024 General Election, as well as protection for women from various forms of violence.

Throughout the year, we have seen the various efforts made by women to increase protection for women and to empower women. Law No. 12/2022 on the crime of sexual violence guarantees wider protection for women against sexual violence, including the right to treatment.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A woman crosses in front of photos of female activists voicing campaigns against violence against women at Gambir Station, Jakarta, Monday (12/12/2022).

The 2022 Group of 20 Bali Summit acknowledged the importance of increasing the role of women in the digital economy and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as in leading the post-Covid-19 recovery efforts. The Second Indonesia’s Women’s Ulema Congress produced a religious perspective on the protection of women, including from child marriage, genital mutilation and injury, as well as acts of state violence. The Third Indonesian Muslimah Congress discussed the role of women in building resilience of both the family and the state.

When celebrating Mother's Day next year, we want to see that women’s roles have improved and that no one is being left behind due to poverty or disabilities.

However, the Global Gender Gap (GGG) Index, issued by the World Economic Forum in July 2022, ranked Indonesia 92^nd out of 146 countries, with a score of 0.697. In order to help women to reach their full potential, their access and right to resources must be improved. Women's access to health and education is good at respective scores of 0.97 and 0.972. But the score for women in the economy is still low at 0.674, while women in political and leadership roles is just 0.169.

These scores can be used as the basis for establishing strategies and policies to increase women’s roles and access in both their private or national lives. When celebrating Mother's Day next year, we want to see that women’s roles have improved and that no one is being left behind due to poverty or disabilities.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.