VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga, has underlined the importance of support from men for realizing gender equality.

"We will never be able to reach (gender) equality without support from men, be it brothers, husbands, or men as fathers," she said at a talk show held to mark Kartini Day and entitled ‘Stop Sexual Violence Against Women and Children,’ which was accessed from here on Wednesday.

Kartini Day is celebrated every April 21st in Indonesia to commemorate the birth of the country's national heroine, Raden Ajeng Kartini, who was born on April 21, 1879.

On the occasion of Kartini Day, Puspayoga lauded all those who have fought for women's empowerment and gender equality in Indonesia.

"Happy Kartini Day to all women's empowerment fighters and gender activists in Indonesia, both women and men," she remarked.

Puspayoga expressed the hope that by following Kartini's example, women can get the same, equal, and balanced development benefits as men.

"Let us use Kartini's endeavor spirit to reach equality for women, where women can get the same, equal, and balanced development benefits as men," she remarked.

She invited all parties to strive together to achieve gender equality and realize a world where women and men are equal.

The minister pointed out that the patriarchal culture, which is instilled from generation to generation among the community, is at the root of inequalities experienced by women, even though the 1945 Constitution and various other laws have guaranteed protection and equality to all people in Indonesia, including women.

She affirmed that the Indonesian government is paying special attention to the issues related to women and children.

"In fact, until now, women and children are still categorized as vulnerable groups," she said.  (antaranews)