W20 The Indonesian Presidency wants to encourage the commitment of state/government leaders to place gender equality and women's empowerment as the focus of global discussions related to the post-Covid-19 economic recovery. In addition, it also requires a commitment to reduce discrimination against women to actively participate in recovery during the pandemic. Jakarta, 10th February 2022, The Women20 (W20) of the Indonesian Presidency will prioritize initiatives that promote gender equality and women's empowerment this year. As one of the G20's Engagement Groups, W20 wishes for country/government leaders to prioritize gender equality and women's empowerment in global discussions about how to resume economic growth after COVID-19 and advance sustainable development and make investments in inclusive growth. Hadriani Uli Silalahi, the chairwoman of Women20 Indonesia, said, "The Indonesian W20 Presidency wants to improve state and government officials' resolve to prioritize women's empowerment and gender equality in discussions about the world's post-Covid-19 economic recovery. In order to actively take part in the recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic, a commitment to reducing discrimination against women is also necessary." Furthermore, Uli added, the W20 Presidency of Indonesia also wants to encourage the leaders of the G20 countries to open up access for women to be able to participate in the economy actively. It is also necessary to ensure that there are no longer marginalized women in the recovery of development, and finally, the need to open equal access to health services for women. "The main mission of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia is to influence the high-level commitments. The presentation will be issued at the G20 Summit (Communique) to include an agenda for women's empowerment and gender equality in G20 countries. Moreover, in several previous G20 Presidencies, the gender focus in the overall declaration was still small, never exceeding 8 percent," added Uli. According to her, The leaders of the G20 countries conveyed one of the most significant commitments about gender equality to the G20 Leaders Communique in 2014. At that time, the G20 leaders agreed to reduce the gap in labor participation rates between men and women in G20 countries by 25 percent by 2025. Meanwhile, the Co-Chair of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia, Dian Siswarini, stated that from a global diplomacy point of view, holding the G20 and W20 presidencies means that Indonesia places itself as the center of diplomacy among the 20 largest economic countries by adhering to the resolution of the four priority issues of the W20. "This W20 Engagement Group is also expected to be able to activate new movements and thoughts from women, not only in the global realm but also within the G20 member countries themselves, supported by best practices as a catalyst," added Dian. The Indonesian Presidency's W20 agenda for this year will focus on four main priorities to accomplish the abovementioned goals. They were first promoting equality, safety, and welfare by eliminating prejudice that prevents women from participating in the economy. Secondly, promoting MSMEs run and owned by women will promote economic inclusion. Third, tackling vulnerability to foster resilience, with an emphasis on rural and disabled women. Gender-equal health responses are the fourth. Additionally, it is anticipated that Indonesia's position will increase public awareness of the diplomatic process, particularly in regions where the G20 and W20 agendas are being implemented. As a result of growing recognition for its diversity, Indonesia will draw more visitors and present investment opportunities supported by policies established during the presidency. Likupang As the first W20 side event As one of the engagement groups in the G20, Indonesia's W20 Presidency will soon start a series of agendas. The W20 forum will be divided into several main agendas called the Women20 Summit and additional agendas or side events, all of which will address various issues related to women's empowerment. The first W20 side event will take place in Likupang, a popular tourist destination in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi, from February 14–16, 2022. The first meeting, which will be held in a hybrid way, will be attended by around 150 participants, including representatives from G20 member countries, namely the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, England, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, Indonesia, France, Russia, plus the European Union. Speakers who will be present to give the opening presentation include Bathylle Missika, who is Head of Division-Networks, Partnerships and Gender, OECD Development Centre. Other speakers were Prof. Mari Miura, who is a Professor of Political Science at Sophia University as well as a committee member of W20 Japan, then Salma Al Rashid, as W20 Sherpa from Saudi Arabia, and Martina Rogato, as W20 Sherpa from Italy. Furthermore, the presentation of perspectives and recommendations will be carried out by Minah Kang from South Korea, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Andy Yentriyani from Indonesia, and Erin Watson from Australia. In addition, Bintang Puspayoga as a Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia, Penny Williams as an Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Dian Triansyah Djani as a Co-Sherpa G20 Indonesia, Olly Dondokambey as a Governor of North Sulawesi, and Dr. Ir. Giwo Rubianto Wiyogo M.Pd as a Chairman of Kowani, will also be present in person to give an opening speech at the meeting location. The selection of Likupang as the location for the side events of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia is expected to introduce this leading tourist destination to the international world. Likupang is one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), which the government has designated as a super priority tourist destination. Currently, the development of an integrated tourism ecosystem is being built there, and it is hoped that it will be able to become a world-class tourist destination. The entire agenda of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia until October 2022 will later be held in stages at several priority destination points in Indonesia. The implementation is in collaboration with International Knowledge Partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia, government agencies, and the private sector. After Likupang, the side events of the W20 Presidency of Indonesia until the W20 Summit will be held in Batu, East Java, and Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan in March 2022, Manokwari, West Papua, in May 2022, Lake Toba, North Sumatra in July 2022, and Denpasar, Bali in September - October 2022. About WOMEN2O Women20 (W20) is a G20 Engagement Group that forms a women's empowerment network to encourage the adoption of G20 commitments to women's issues. The main objective of the W20 is to promote women's economic empowerment as an integral part of the G20 process. Diversity and full participation are critical to fostering resilient, sustainable, and viable economies and societies, whereas homogeneous systems bear risks and uncertainties. Women’s economic empowerment is thus fundamental to a prosperous world and essential for economic growth, a stable economy, and social development. For more information, please contact: Tri Wahyuningsih W20 Communications Team Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) Telp : +62817113369 Emai l: TriWahyu@XL.co.id d