Indonesia’s First “Ring the Bell”: Private sector’s role in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment
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Jakarta, Indonesia
The following is an article submitted by a Global Compact Local Network. Please contact the network representative listed below with any questions regarding its contents.
Jakarta, 13 March 2019 — In celebration of the International Women’s Day, Indonesia hosted its first “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event. Representatives from the public and private sectors were brought together to support the promotion of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in the business sector. The bell ringing ceremony sought to raise awareness on the key role of the private sectors in accelerating progress for gender equality. Organizers include UN Women, Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN), Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE), with the support from Indonesia Stock Exchange.
Mr. Paul Polman, Vice Chair of the UN Global Compact Board and UN SDG Advocates, and H.E. Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia attended the event and delivered keynote addresses highlighting the importance of gender equality in workplace, marketplace and community. “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” is a worldwide movement initiated by UN Women, the United Nations Global Compact, Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative and other respective partners as an effort to improve gender equality in the business sector. This year, 85 stock exchanges around the world hosted a bell ringing ceremony.
Despite of the fact that gender equality and women’s empowerment are powerful drivers for economic growth, women around the world and in Indonesia still face many challenges such as negative social norms, violence and discrimination and a disproportionate burden of unpaid work. These challenges often limit women from having equal working and income opportunities, as well as taking on leadership activities. Private sector has an important role in addressing these challenges and can contribute change through gender-friendly policies, investment, products and practices.
UN Women Representative Sabine Machl said “When more women participate in the workforce, economies grow. Women have a unique position, when they are empowered they will invest back and improve the lives of their families and communities. Therefore, it is important to tackle adverse norms and ensure an enabling environment for women to be able to realize their potential and contribute fully to the economies, societies and businesses.”
Similar to above statement, Y.W. Junardy, IGCN President, shared his perspective on women in business “Empowering women in the workplace also generates financial returns in the private sector. When women take strategic roles in leadership positions, it attracts investors to join the company and therefore, bigger business. Many businesses in Indonesia are aware of this and beginning to employ more women — giving equal opportunity for all.”
The bell ringing ceremony was followed by a panel discussion titled "Equality Means Business" — discussing how private sectors can contribute to ensure equal opportunities in the workplace. Among the speakers were Shinta Kamdani, President of IBCWE and Deputy Chairperson of KADIN; Ira Noviarti, VP Beauty and Personal Care of Unilever Indonesia; Vivin Harsanto, Senior Director of Advisories of JLL Indonesia; Putri Alam, Head of Public Policy & Government Relations of Google Indonesia; and Sabine Machl, Representative of UN Women.
Ring the Bell for Gender Equality also promotes the implementation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a set of seven Principles offering practical guidance to businesses on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. Globally, over 2000 CEOs have signed the WEPs.
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About IBCWE
Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE) is a coalition of companies who are committed to promote women’s economic empowerment and gender equality. Our mission is to support business to optimize its role in enhancing women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
About IGCN
Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiatives. A call for companies to equate strategy and operations with the universal principles of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption, and take action that can advance the goals of society.
About UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women’s efforts are based on the fundamental belief that every woman has the right to live a life free from violence, poverty, and discrimination, and that gender equality is necessary for global development.
Contact
IBCWE
Thomas Pramono Hadi
Email: thadi@ibcwe.id
Phone: +628111949788
IGCN
Soraya Rahmita
Email: communications@indonesiagcn.org
Phone: +6281299200992
UN Women
Radhiska Anggiana
Email: radhiska.anggiana@unwomen.org
+68121347144