Indonesian women will hold the 2023 National Women's Congress in Semarang, Central Java, on August 24-26, 2023. The theme of the Congress is "Democracy and Women's Leadership Towards a Century of Indonesia". This congress is a space for Indonesian women to gather and consolidate to strengthen the voice and agenda of the women's movement in various sectors in implementing the vision of development.
"The national women's congress aims to increase women's involvement towards a golden century in Indonesia. First, provide basic formulations, strategies, and follow-up plans for women's public roles in five sectors of development issues. Two, giving information about democracy and women's leadership. Three, provide recommendations for the realization of democracy and women's leadership," said Chair I of the National Women's Congress, Mila Karmilah, in a press release on Wednesday (16/8/2023).
After the 1998 reform, the struggle of the women's movement with various characteristics continued to progress. Political change gave birth to three opportunities for change. First, the opportunity to strengthen the agenda with the women's movement. Second, the opportunity to give birth to national and regional leadership that is committed to realizing gender equality and justice. Third, opportunities for collaborative work in advancing human rights with the government, national and regional leaders, as well as the business world.
In 2024, Indonesia will hold simultaneous elections. This is a momentum for the women's movement to promote the importance of the development vision and agenda. This political year is also an opportunity to strengthen national and regional leadership that is committed to ending gender inequality in Indonesia.
At least 1.000 participants from all over Indonesia will take part in the National Women's Congress. These participants came from the central government, regional governments, political parties, village governments, grassroots women's communities, social organizations, activists, journalists, corporations, students, state institutions, and other independent institutions.
The National Women's Congress will be opened with a national seminar, one of which carries the theme "Opportunities and Challenges of Women's Leadership in Governance". Speakers at this seminar included the Mayor of Semarang, Ir. Hj. Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu, M.Sos (Mayor of Semarang), Chair of the Central KPU Hasyim Asy'ari, S.H, M.Sc, PhD, and Indonesian Bawaslu Lolly Suhenty, S.Sos.I., M.H. Taking place in the Diponegoro University FISIP auditorium, the discussion will be guided by Dr. Ida Budhiati, S.H., M.Hum.
The 2023 National Women's Congress is a collaborative work of various organizations, including the Central Java Women's Organization Coordinating Board (BKOW), Darma Wanita Association of UNDIP, KUPI, Indonesian Women's Coalition (KPI), KOPRI PMII Central Java. There are also PKK Central Java, LRC-KJHAM, Rahima, IMM Central Java, Kohati Central Java-DIY, women's study centers, academics, students, including government and non-government institutions. []
NUR AZIZAH
