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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Welcoming International Women's Day, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Gita Sabhrwal, introduces specific programs to support women. In commemoration of International Women's Day, the organization calls for cross-generational momentum for gender equality, a tangible commitment to embody the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls, as reflected in the Asta Cita and RPJMN.
UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Gita Sabharwal, stated that the UN's development focus revolves around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which gender equality is a key pillar.
Indonesia has shown better progress in achieving the SDGs compared to many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, although acceleration is still needed in several areas, including gender equality.
Gita said in her speech at the Media Briefing: International Women's Day 2025, Thursday, March 6, 2025, behind the existing challenges, most Indonesian women are optimistic about their future.
Last year, UN conducted "We the Women" survey globally. The result shows that three-quarters of Indonesian respondents believe they will be better off in the next five years. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds stated that they have control over their future.
In the same survey, women in Indonesia placed education, health, and decent jobs as their most important SDGs.
The UN in Indonesia partners with the government to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, with various programs specifically supporting women.
Gita highlighted five main areas of this cooperation:
First, technology has the potential to drive equality. Nearly every other Indonesian woman (47%) considers AI as an opportunity. UNESCO, UN Women, and UNICEF support the government in formulating AI regulations and ensuring that women and children can participate safely and meaningfully in the digital space, while increasing women's representation in STEM training.
Second, women's economic empowerment is the backbone of Indonesia's economy, with six out of ten micro, small, and medium enterprises owned and operated by women. ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, and ITC work with the government to improve access to financing and markets for women's businesses to grow.
Third, women are more vulnerable to the impact of climate change, but they also play a leadership role in sustainable solutions. For example, in a UNDP-led program, 22 off-grid solar power plants have been installed in remote areas, and half of the locally trained operators to manage them are women.
Meanwhile, UNEP collaborates with local governments to help land-based women-led businesses secure financing. An example is the coconut farmers in rural Yogyakarta, the majority of whom are women workers. With available funding, they can replace old coconut trees with drought-resistant varieties. This increases yields, income for women while protecting soil erosion.
Fourth, the UN through UNFPA, UNODC, WHO, and other agencies cooperates with the government to strengthen services and mechanisms to prevent violence against women.
Fifth, Indonesia is the fifth largest global contributor to UN peacekeeping forces. Indonesia is also a leader in the representation of women in peace missions, with nearly 600 women involved in peacekeeping contingents. This figure is expected to further increase in the coming years.
Gita asserted that these are just a few examples of ongoing initiatives. The UN and the government partnerships are a key to success. By strong ties, gender equality could be embodied with the spirit of International Women's Day.
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