VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy has said that the realization of gender equality could help raise global GDP (gross domestic product) by around 26 percent.

"In contrast, failure in realizing gender equality by the next six years could potentially cause Indonesia to lose US$135 billion in annual GDP," he remarked at the 2020 Anugerah Parahita Ekapraya (APE) Awards, held online on Wednesday.

Therefore, the improvement in gender equality is closely related to the acceleration of development, the minister said. For that reason, the role of governments, both central and local, is essential for accelerating equal development for women and men by implementing gender mainstreaming strategies (PUG), he added.

Effendy then praised Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga, and her ministry for holding the 2020 Anugerah Parahita Ekapraya (APE) Awards.

"I would love to congratulate the ministries, institutions, and regional governments who have received the 2020 APE awards, both in the mentor, main, intermediate, and primary categories."

"I urge the Ministries, Institutions, and regional heads to truly implement PUG in the drafting process and the implementation of their policies. Let us work hand in hand to improve gender-responsive development," the minister said.

At the 2020 Anugerah Parahita Ekapraya (APE) Awards, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection awarded 13 ministries and institutions, 29 provinces, and 266 districts and cities for their efforts to implement gender mainstreaming strategies in their institutions or regions.

The awards were part of a series of activities for the 4th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW), which Indonesia is hosting. (Antaranews)