National Women’s Congress with the theme “Women’s Democracy and Leadership, Towards a Century of Indonesia” Held at UNDIP, August 24-26, 2023

Indonesian women will gather to consolidate, negotiate, and find solutions to all problems at the 2023 National Women’s Congress. The event will occur at the Diponegoro University (Undip) Semarang Campus, August 24-26, 2023. Representatives from various regions will open the congress representing around 1,000 (one thousand) participants, accompanied by the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, and the Indonesian Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga.

Chairperson of the Central Java Women’s Organization Cooperation Agency (BKOW) Hj. Nawal Nur Arafah, the National Women’s Congress chairman, said, “Central Java has initiated holding a women’s congress in 2019. The idea is a historic milestone in strengthening the role of women in Central Java and Indonesia. One of the programs that is the realization of the declaration’s mandate is the women and children friendly village program (destara), which was then accommodated by the ministry to become a national program.”

The Central Java Women’s Congress recommended several things: violence against women is a severe problem that must receive attention from various parties, the government, the community, and other stakeholders. Limited access and control and women’s participation in natural resources have made women the poorest. Related to institutions and policies, it is hoped that there will be institutional reforms that support the implementation of the recovery process, such as building a justice system that is responsive to victims and allocating sufficient budget for victim recovery as a consequence of policies protecting women. The Central Java Women’s Congress also recommended things such as decent work for women, food security, and women and religious fundamentalism, which have the potential to divide the nation.

The struggle of the women’s movement across tribes, ethnicities, religions, professions, and political choices did not stop even after the 1998 reform. Post-reform government political changes that were more open, decentralized, democratic, and protected freedom of speech and association resulted in 3 (three) opportunities that led to change. First, the opportunity to strengthen the consolidation of the agenda with the women’s movement; second, the chance to produce national and regional leadership who are committed to realizing gender equality and justice; and third, the opportunity to work in collaboration with the government, national and regional leaders and the business world in advancing women’s human rights.

In 2024, the Government of Indonesia will hold simultaneous elections for president and vice president, national legislature/parliament members, regional heads, and provincial legislature/parliament members. This momentum must be used to promote the importance of the vision and development agenda after a century of Indonesia’s independence and national and regional leadership committed to ending gender inequality in Indonesia. Women are demanded to return to fight for the fulfillment of their rights.

Based on this, Nawal added, “The National Women’s Congress is essential and urgent to be carried out to consolidate the voice and agenda of the women’s movement in various sectors to strengthen the implementation of constitutional promises in the vision of development after one century of Indonesia’s independence.” He also expressed his gratitude for the participation and support of various groups in holding this congress.

The National Women’s Congress will be held at the Undip Semarang Campus on August 24-26, 2023, with the theme: “Democracy and Women’s Leadership Towards a Century of Indonesia”. The organizers of this event were a combination of various organizations including the Central Java Women’s Organization Coordinating Body (BKOW), Dharma Wanita Association (DWP) of Undip, Central Java PKK, LRC-KJHAM, Rahima, KUPI, Indonesian Women’s Coalition (KPI), KOPRI PMII Central Java, IMM Central Java, Kohati Central Java-DIY, women’s study centers, academics, students, and government and non-government institutions united in synergy to make this event happen.

The National Women’s Congress aims to provide: 1) Basic formulations, strategies, and follow-up plans for women’s public roles in 5 development issues towards a golden century of Indonesia; 2) Declaration of democracy and women’s leadership towards a golden century of Indonesia; and 3) Recommendations for the realization of democracy and women’s leadership towards a golden Indonesian century.

The National Congress will be attended by around 1000 (one thousand) participants from all over Indonesia, consisting of representatives:

• Central Government (Ministries, Agencies & DPR RI)
• Local Government (Provincial/District/City Government, DPRD)
• Political parties
• Village Government (Village Head, Village Apparatus, and BPD)
• Grassroots women’s organizations/communities
• Social organization
• Activists/NGOs
• Journalist
• Corporate/Private
• Student
• Other State Institutions/Independent Institutions

The event will be opened with a national seminar on the first day, and on the last day, announcements and results recommendations will be decided. Proposals for the congress results will be submitted to the Indonesian Parliament Chairperson Puan Maharani on August 26, 2023. Furthermore, the Indonesian Parliament Chairperson will deliver a scientific speech with the theme “Democracy and Women’s Leadership in Creating a Golden Indonesia” and close the series of events at the National Women’s Congress.

The following is the event theme and speakers at the 2023 National Women’s Congress:

National Seminar:

1. Women in Governance (I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, S.E., M.Si – Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection)
2. Women in Culture (Prof. Dr. Dra. Sulistyowati Irianto, M.A. – Legal Anthropology, Faculty of Anthropology, University of Indonesia)
3. Women in Sustainable Environmental Protection & Management (Dr. Hartuti Purnaweni MPA – Undip academic)

Moderator: Andy Yentriyani (Komnas Perempuan)

Place: Auditorium Prof. Soedharto Undip

After that, the participants will be divided into 5 (five) main themes, namely:

COMMISSION I

Opportunities and Challenges for Women’s Leadership in Governance with speaker plans:

1. Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu, M.Sos (Mayor of Semarang)
2. Hasyim Asy’ari, H, M.Si, PhD (Chairman of the Central KPU)
3. Lolly Suhenty, S.Sos.I., M.H. (BAWASLU RI)

Session Leader/Discussion Guide: Dr. Ida Budhiati, S.H., M.Hum.

Place: FISIP Auditorium, UNDIP

COMMISSION II

Opportunities and Challenges for Women’s Leadership in Promoting and Strengthening Food Security with speaker plans:

1. Siti Atikoh Supriyanti (Head of the Central Java PKK Mobilization Team)
2. Ir. Florentina Kusmiyati, M.Sc. (Lecturer of the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences Undip)
3. Lily Batara (Program Manager of the People’s Coalition for Food Sovereignty)
4. Dewi Candraningrum, M.Ed (UMS Surakarta)

Session Leader/Discussion Guide: Agus Gunawan Wibisono

Place: FPP Auditorium Undip

COMMISSION III

Opportunities and Challenges for Women’s Leadership to Realize Gender Equity and Non-Violence Against Women Policies with speaker plans:

1. Luluk Nur Hamidah, M.Si., M.PA (Member of Commission IV DPR RI)
2. Andy Yentriyani (Chair of Komnas Perempuan)
3. Mieke Verawati Tangka (Secretary General of the Indonesian Women’s Coalition)
4. Fatimah Asri Mutmainnah (Member of the National Commission on Disabilities)

Session Leader/Discussion Guide: Myra Diarsi, MA., Psikolog

Place: Auditorium Prof. Soedharto Undip

COMMISSION IV

Opportunities and Challenges for Women in Realizing Clean and Responsive Energy on Environmental Issues with speaker plans:

1. Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, S.S, M.M.(Deputy Chair of Commission X DPR RI)
2. Delima Silalahi (Director of Community Initiative Study and Development Group/KSPPM)
3. Paramita Iswari, S.T., M.A. (Director of Karsa Association)

Session Leader/Discussion Guide: Dr. Mila Karmilah, S.T., M.T.

Place: FISIP Undip Theater Room

COMMISSION V

Opportunities and Challenges for Women in Strengthening/Realizing Women-Friendly Culture and Media with speakers plans:

1. Lestari Moerdijat, S.S., M.M. (Deputy Chair of MPR RI)
2. GKR Hemas (DPD RI)
3. Luviana Ariyanti (Editor of www.konde.co)
4. Evri Rizqi Monarshi (Central Indonesian Broadcasting Commission)

Chairperson of the Session: Masruchah

Place: FT Undip Auditorium

The congress is open to all women in Indonesia.*

Contact Person: Chair I of the National Women’s Congress (Mila Karmilah 085215664422)