Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini delivered a comprehensive presentation on social developments for women and people with disabilities during the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (11th AMMSWD) held virtually on Friday (26/5/23). In her address, she reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to accelerate the mainstreaming of gender equality, disabilities, and social inclusion (GEDSI) in development programs.

She explained the ongoing concrete steps taken by Indonesian government in embracing the principles of GEDSI, ensuring that development is inclusive and no one is left behind. Interventions in development are tailored to address different contexts and circumstances of each target group, she added.

"This approach ensures that our interventions are more effective and bring about transformative changes for impoverished women, people with disabilities, and marginalized and disadvantaged groups," she said.

One of the government initiatives, she presented, is PENA (National Economic Heroes Program), a program that focuses on empowering and enhancing economic self-reliance of the underprivileged, in which 70 percent of the beneficiaries being women and people with disabilities.

"The goal of this program is not only to improve women's access to economic resources but also to enhance their access to financial services and other productive assets," she said.

Indonesia demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, during risky and emergency situations by implementing adaptive social protection measures. In disaster risk management (DRM), the government integrates the fundamental principles of GEDSI, encompassing prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, to foster a more inclusive and robust approach to response and reconstruction.

The Ministry of Social Affairs ensures its active participation in regional endeavors to protect vulnerable groups within the ASEAN community, particularly individuals with disabilities. Minister Risma concluded by extending a warm invitation to the forthcoming physical meeting in Indonesia.

"We warmly welcome you to the upcoming physical meeting in Indonesia," she concluded.

(ndt/hn/um)