President urges Indonesian women to help achieve MDG

SBY PRESIDENCY. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged Indonesian women, especially members of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan, to play a more active role in helping achieve the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) by 2015.

"Achieving the eight MDG is the responsibility of the Indonesian people as well as the world community," President Yudhoyono said at the State Palace here on Monday when opening the Second National Congress of Dharma Wanita Persatuan, the association of civil servants` wives.

He said women, both individually and collectively, played a crucial role in helping achieve the MDG.

"I am happy and proud that Indonesian women are not passive or apathetic, but are engaged in constructive activities in national development. Women are not just spectators, nor part of the problem," he said.

The President reiterated that the eight MDGs included poverty and famine eradication, basic education development, gender equality and protection, reduction of the maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as control of infectious diseases.

In his opening remarks, the head of state also emphasized the importance of preventing violence against women and children.

He also asked the civil servants` wives organization to take concrete actions and improve its members` welfare.

The national congress is being held from December 7 to 9, 2009.

Among those attending the opening ceremony were First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, the Vice President`s wife, Herawati Boediono, chairwoman of Dharma Wanita Persatuan Nila FB Moeloek, and Women`s Empowerment Minister Linda Agum Gumelar.(ANTARA nEWS)