inp.polri.go.id – The Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Bintang Puspayoga said, Indonesian women play an important role in economic growth and development after the Covid-19 pandemic. This is because more than 50% of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs), which are essential businesses in Indonesia, are owned and run by women. “Women are the backbone of the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, it is evident that economically empowered women will have a ripple effect (small things that have a big impact), where women can provide better nutrition, health and education for their children, as well as bring about sustainable community development,” said the Minister of PPPA in the Opening Ceremony of the W20 Summit, in Toba Regency, Tuesday (19/7). According to the Minister of PPPA, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on women due to the loss of their livelihoods. This also causes more women to experience extreme poverty and widens the gender gap. Not only that, the Covid-19 pandemic has also caused an increase in unpaid care work, which is mostly done by women. "The situation of women with multiple vulnerabilities, such as women with disabilities or women living in rural areas, is even worse because they have limited access to information, education, health care, and formal work," added the Minister for PPPA. Due to these conditions, the Minister of PPPA then stated that W20 focuses on four main issues in the 2022 G20 Indonesia Presidency, consists of freedom from discrimination; MSMEs owned or led by women as the key to inclusive growth; promotion of health response to equitable recovery; and inclusive economic growth to build resilience focusing on rural women and women with disabilities. "Recommendations for each issue will be summarized in the W20 communique which will be submitted to the President of the Republic of Indonesia on the last day of this conference," said the PPPA Minister. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, expressed his appreciation for women who have played a huge role in restoring the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. "Women are often the backbone of tourism and the creative economy, and also supporting community welfare," said Sandiaga. Sandiaga also supports women who are at the forefront in recovering the state’s economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. "This is reflected in the expansion of business opportunities, job creation, and empowerment of Chairwoman of W20 Indonesia, Hadriani Uli Silalahi, said that the G20 has the power to push economic policies that have a positive impact on women's empowerment. "Meanwhile, W20 has the opportunity to promote gender-inclusive economic growth and promote international peace that protects women and girls," said Uli. Furthermore, Uli hopes that the W20 Summit can discuss various challenges related to women's empowerment as well as four key issues of W20 Indonesia. The results of these discussions hopefully could create solutions and innovations that form the basis of sustainable commitments. "We all come here because we care about empowering women and believe that when we empower our women empower, our nation will also be empowered," concluded Uli. MSMEs. I am very happy to be a part of this W20 Summit," said Sandiaga.