Road Map to Gender Justice to Celebrate Kartini Day

It is fitting that the Australia Awards in Indonesia and the Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara held the Road Map to Gender Justice in West Nusa Tenggara discussion forum on Kartini Day in Mataram.

Governor M. Zainul Majdi, who served as keynote speaker, noted that more effort has to be made to realise gender equality. "Equality between men and women throughout various fields and sectors within the community are not yet fully realised," he said. "Aside from protecting women and children from violence and exploitation, clear regulations are needed as the regional government's efforts to bring about empowerment."

Bringing together experts in the field, including representatives and lecturers from the women empowerment community Pekka NTB, Universitas Mataram, the State Religious Institute (IAIN) Mataram, as well as Dr Yulfita Raharjo, Senior Gender Advisor of the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Economic Governance (AIPEG), the discussion forum aims to empower NTB Australia Awards alumni to employ their technical expertise to influence policy as a response to gender issues; to develop awareness of the stakeholders within the province of the existing professional resources and expertise amongst the Australia Awards alumni; as well as to promote professional linkages between the alumni and the local government, private sector, universities and the broader community of NTB to respond to gender issues.