Jakarta (ANTARA) – Women should have broader economic opportunities, with their success also benefiting their families, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi said.
“Men must be involved in childcare so that children can also receive equal and quality care,” Fauzi said in a keynote address at a policy dialogue marking the International Day of Care and Support (IDCS), held via Zoom in Jakarta on Thursday.
She said the government played a role in strengthening policies and coordination with the business sector to expand women’s employment opportunities, enabling them to drive innovation and implement practical measures in the workplace.
The involvement of business associations, childcare service providers, civil society organizations, researchers, and development partners was also necessary to identify barriers and formulate solutions tailored to needs on the ground.
“We also need to move from experience to learning, and from learning to concrete action,” Fauzi said.
The minister called for childcare to be recognized as an essential component of efforts to build a more equal, productive, and family-friendly workplace.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Chairperson and Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE) founder Shinta Kamdani said Indonesia continued to face a persistent social challenge in 2026, with women bearing a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities.
A study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), based on a survey of 493 respondents conducted from October to November 2025, confirmed that family caregiving responsibilities remained one of the main barriers preventing women from advancing in their careers.
“Some 42.1 percent of respondents at the top management level, 47.1 percent at the senior management level, and 40.4 percent at the middle management level cited caregiving responsibilities as a major barrier,” Kamdani said.
She said that when women had to choose between family responsibilities and career opportunities, companies also lost opportunities to develop their best talent.
“For the business sector, this is not merely a women’s issue. It is a matter of talent, productivity, innovation capacity, and business sustainability,” she added.
The government needs to provide clear policies and guidelines, while service providers must help ensure access to quality and affordable childcare. Workers, including men, must also share caregiving responsibilities.
“When working women feel supported, they have a greater chance of staying in the workforce, advancing their careers, and making their best contributions,” Kamdani said.
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Translator: A Wijaya, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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