Media Release
2 March 2016
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson has unveiled Australia’s new Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on 8 March.
The Strategy, which was launched in Canberra earlier this week by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop,is a comprehensive plan to drive progress in three key areas of Australian foreign policy and development cooperation: ending violence against women and girls; women’s economic empowerment; and women’s participation in leadership and peacebuilding.
“Ensuring women and girls are equal, empowered, educated and employed is one of the most effective ways to achieve better living standards and higher economic growth,” Ambassador Grigson said.
“This comprehensive commitment builds on Australia’s existing partnership with Indonesia to prioritise gender equality through programs such as Empowering Indonesian Women for Poverty Reduction (MAMPU) and the new Investing in Women initiative,” he said.
The Australian Government will continue to work closely with our partners to provide strong leadership and advocacy on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Ambassador Grigson has launched the Strategy at a reception at the new Australian Embassy in Jakarta. The function featured presentations from two inspiring women, Anis Hidayah, Executive Director of Migrant Care and one of Forbes magazine’s ten most inspiring Indonesian women of 2015; and Professor Caroline McMillen, Vice-Chancellor and President of Australia’s University of Newcastle.
Media release, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop
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