G20 Empower and Women20 Begins, The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Invites All Parties to Encourage Women's Potential to Restore the Economy Press Release Number: B-524/ $SETMEN/HM.02.04/12/2021 Yogyakarta, December 22, 2012 - The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection held a virtual kick-off for the G20 Empower and Women20 (W20) Ceremonial today, which fell on the peak of the 93rd Mother's Day commemoration. Bintang Puspayoga, the minister of women's empowerment and child protection, emphasized at this event that women have a huge potential to support and promote the country's economic growth and that these opportunities and potential must be expanded and supported by all parties through cooperation at the international level, specifically the G20. Retno Marsudi, the minister of foreign affairs, stated that a mindset transformation was required in order to empower women. By fostering a friendly environment and giving women equal opportunities to contribute, we can help this first step. "Indonesia's presidency brings the inclusive spirit of the G20. Indonesia's primary goal during the G20 will be to empower vulnerable groups, particularly women and children." The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted women. According to the UN Women report, women, whose incomes are typically reliant on family businesses, have experienced a massive decrease in revenue of up to 82 percent. Women had to handle more significant household duties and unpaid care burdens during the pandemic. The increasing domestic problems and workload are experienced by both women and men, where 69 percent of women and 61 percent of men are trapped in unpaid domestic work. Minister Bintang hopes that the agenda related to strengthening the role of women, especially during the Covid-19 recovery process, can be discussed more in-depth at the G20 forum, which is in accordance with the Indonesian Presidency's theme of "Recover Stronger Recover Together," so that it contributes to the creation of global strategies and policies that are in line with the "Brisbane Goals" as well as national policies. At the G20, two special groups discussed strengthening the position and issues of equality for women, namely G20 Empower, which consisted of an alliance of government and private sector, and Women20, which was an engagement group. Indonesia has decided on each group's agenda or work theme. In the G20 Empower, they raised three essential topics: the need for companies to be accountable for their Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in order to foster leadership and strengthen their position in the workplace; the efforts of the private sector and the government to continue to support and encourage women's participation in SME (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) as an economic driver; and the development of women's future readiness in the digital economy. W20 Indonesia will present four agendas in the meantime. First, to encourage equality, security, and welfare by eradicating discrimination restricting women's economic participation. Secondly, promoting (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) MSMEs run and owned by women will promote financial inclusion. Third, tackling vulnerability to increase resilience concentrates on rural and disabled women. Gender-equal health responses are the fourth. Minister Bintang conveyed that there are many complex challenges that women will face in the future. "With the development of technology 4.0, it is very important to provide equal opportunities for women in the business world and the world of work. This needs to be considered, and solutions are sought to improve the quality and capacity of women in the future," added Minister Bintang. Minister Bintang also believes that the topic of women's empowerment can continue to be improved through the G20 forums that discuss efforts to increase women's participation and involvement in local and global communities to develop and strengthen women's bargaining position in society. The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection is dedicated to hosting the Ministerial Meeting on Women's Empowerment at the Bali Indonesian Presidency in 2022, continuing the Italian government's initiative. "I believe that the Indonesian Presidency in the G20 can continue to encourage the creation of concrete actions through the development of recommendations, policies, and sharing experiences, both by collaboration and by mobilizing common strengths to continue to support equality and promote the strategic position of women," said Minister Bintang. At the kick-off meeting, Hadriani Uli Silalahi, the head of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kongres Wanita Indonesia, KOWANI), and Dian Siswarini, president director, and CEO of XL Axiata, were introduced as the Chair and Co-Chair of Women20 Indonesia. Additionally, Yessie D. Yosetya, Director and Chief Strategic Transformation and Information Officer at XL Axiata, Rinawati Prihatiningsih, and Eko Novi Ariyanti, Assistant Deputy for Participation of Professional and Business Institutions at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection served as Chair and Co-Chair of the G20 Empower as representatives of the government. The G20 presidency of Indonesia officially started on December 1, 2021. Because of this, The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, which serves as the parent ministry of the Women20 engagement group and the G20 Empower alliance, is actively involved in the G20's implementation. The Indonesian delegation will discuss the top priorities for the Indonesian G20 Presidency at this formal event. In order to create concrete initiatives that are responsive to global challenges, it is also hoped that G20 members, delegates from invited countries, CSOs, and relevant international organizations can discuss and formulate these initiatives. G20 Empower conducted many international events in 2021, including webinars to highlight women's crucial role in business and the workforce. Additionally, the organization hired about 50 Empower G20 ambassadors who are CEOs or Senior Directors of firms in Indonesia. The G20 advocates for Empower are anticipated to be able to advocate for and create plans for promoting equality and opportunities for women within their organizations, as well as make broader contributions to the community and society. W20 Indonesia works collaboratively with global knowledge partners, UN organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, governmental organizations, the commercial sector, and other parties. W20 hybrid side events will be held in several Indonesian cities in 2022, including Batu, Likupang, Banjarmasin, and Manokwari. The Grand W20 Summit will take place from July 27 to July 29 in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, showcasing the efforts of gender equality and women's empowerment in various locations in Indonesia. About WOMEN20 A G20 Engagement Group called Women20 (W20) creates a network for women's empowerment in order to promote the implementation of G20 agreements on women's concerns. The W20's primary goal is to support women's economic empowerment as an essential component of the G20 process. While homogeneous systems carry dangers and uncertainties, diversity and full participation are critical to developing resilient, sustainable economies and communities. Thus, a flourishing world and the progress, stability, and development of society depend on women's economic empowerment. About G20 EMPOWER G20 EMPOWER is an Alliance within the G20 for the Empowerment and Advancement of Women's Economic Representation, aiming to accelerate the leadership and empowerment of women in the private sector. G20 EMPOWER has an inclusive and action-oriented vision with its unique partnership model. G20 EMPOWER is the only G20 entity that brings together more than 60 business leaders and government representatives to achieve a common goal, gender equality. For more information, please contact: Fatahillah Head of Legal and Public Relations Bureau Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) Tel : +6281513531463 Email : fatah.rais@gmail.com