Indonesian companies urged not to discriminate against female workers

Women’s empowerment and child protection (PPPA) minister Bintang Puspayoga, said, “All policies, programmes, and activities in a workplace should reflect equality between women and men. The PPPA Ministry strictly rejects all forms of discrimination against women, starting from recruitment, work activities, and promotion, to fulfilment of rights.”

Gender equality at the workplace free from all forms of discrimination is the responsibility of all parties, right from the leadership to the staff, the minister said, adding that “a safe and comfortable workplace without fear of discrimination, violence, and harassment is highly needed for women”. 

She affirmed the country’s commitment to protecting women’s rights, specifically eradication of all forms of discrimination against women that is described in the Constitution and various laws. 

“Protection to women workers is one of the country’s commitments mandated within the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and has been adopted as the national law through Law No. 7 of 1984. Hence, the Indonesian government is obligated to make efforts to guarantee the fulfillment of women’s rights in accordance to what is mandated within the convention,” she said. 

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In October 2021, the United Nations’ CEDAW Committee will hold a constructive dialog with the Indonesian Government as a part of the government’s efforts to uphold the CEDAW, according to Antara News.