One of the measuring tools to see the condition of gender equality and inequality in Indonesia is the Gender Inequality Index (IKG). IKG or Gender Inequality Index (GII) is an index that explains the extent to which the achievement of development success in three aspects of human development (reproductive health, empowerment, and economic participation) is lost as a result of gender inequality. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2019 released data on GII in ASEAN, Indonesia was in last place with the highest score of 0.480 points. Meanwhile, at the international level, Indonesia's GII is ranked 121 out of a total of 162 countries (Nugroho, 2022).
Based on the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) document regarding the Gender Inequality Index compiled with 5 determining components, it was concluded that Indonesia's IKG figure in 2020 reached 0.400 (Karyono & Tusianti, 2021). The trend shows that Indonesia's IKG has decreased since 2018-2020. However, Indonesia still needs to strive to achieve gender equality in Indonesia. GII data by UNDP and IKG by BPS show similarities, Indonesia has gender inequality with a relatively high figure. Thus, serious steps are needed to handle this issue properly.
Gender inequality can occur in various fields, including in development. Gender inequality in development is a process of marginalization due to gender differences that result in poverty. This condition is related to gender disparities that hinder the fair participation of women and men in the development process (Nugroho, 2022). Women are often labeled only as additional breadwinners, deserving of lower wages than men and deserving of being positioned in positions below men. Labeling like this has an impact on opportunities and types of work that are more limited for women. In fact, if the opportunities and opportunities obtained by women and men are equal, there will be no gender inequality and it will also have a positive impact on gender development and the Indonesian economy as a whole.
Deputy for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) Lenny N. Rosalin stated that efforts to increase the female workforce can increase participation from women's economic contributions and even increase the country's economic growth. "In the long term, this will have a positive impact on increasing the Human Development Index, Gender Development Index, Gender Empowerment Index because in these three indices, economic factors are very important aspects," said Lenny at the 1st Side Event G20 Empower ‘Creating Safer Workplace for Women Post Covid-19 Pandemic’ which was held virtually. Based on BPS data, the Indonesian female workforce is at 53 percent, while the male workforce reaches 82 percent. "There is a gender gap of around 19 percent. Therefore, this is the time for us to increase and strengthen the participation and role of women in the workforce and in various other development sectors," added Lenny (KemenPPPA, 2022).
Indonesia is the only country in Southeast Asia that is a member of the G20, as measured by the country's GDP. Indonesia's GDP is among the 20 largest in the world. According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as of November 2, 2022, Indonesia's GDP reached 1.29 trillion USD and was ranked 17th largest in the world (Mutia, 2022). Indonesia's economic growth in the third quarter of 2022 grew by 5.72 percent, indicating that the Indonesian economy continues to grow even though it is still slightly affected by the pandemic.
In addition to the fact that Indonesia's GDP is among the 20 largest in the world, there is a prediction that in 2030 Indonesia's GDP is estimated to reach the 7th largest in the world. Assuming educated human resources and the participation of women in the workforce. Thus, the Indonesian Government must be serious about realizing gender equality in Indonesia. If the Government ignores gender equality, it will affect economic development. The subsequent impact is that Indonesia will be trapped as a middle-income country (Sitorus, 2016).
Through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000 concerning Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) in national development which instructs all state officials, including Governors and Regents/Mayors to implement PUG throughout Indonesia. The PUG policy in this Presidential Instruction is essentially very good for striving for gender equality in Indonesia, however, in its implementation in the field it still experiences obstacles so that the hope of achieving gender equality through Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000 has not been realized. With the relationship between economic growth and gender equality, the Indonesian Government should make policies that encourage gender equality. For example, by strengthening and patenting the implementation of PUG as stated in Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000. So that economic development in Indonesia can be better in the future.
Gender equality refers to a state of equality between men and women in fulfilling their rights and obligations. However, achieving gender equality is not easy, Indonesia is still trying to achieve this goal. The 2018-2020 Indonesian IKG from BPS shows that gender inequality in Indonesia has reached 0.400. In addition, the GII published by UNDP also states that Indonesia's gender inequality is ranked 121 out of 162 countries. However, the Indonesian Government has tried to take steps to address this condition, namely by issuing Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000 which contains an appeal to all state officials to implement Gender Mainstreaming (PUG), although in its implementation there has been no significant difference and change in achieving gender equality.
Achieving gender equality has an urgency to be done immediately, because when gender inequality occurs, there are many conditions that are affected, one of which is economic development. When gender equality is achieved, it will have a positive impact in the long term. So it is time to stop gender disparities, gender inequality and various gaps between genders in order to achieve better economic conditions. Implementing PUG better in the field so as to provide equal opportunities for men and women to participate in social, economic and political aspects is one of the efforts that can be made to achieve gender equality and a better Indonesian economy.[Apprentice: Sabrina, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta).
References:
BPS. (n.d.). IKG (Indeks Ketimpangan Gender). Retrieved from Badan Pusat Statistik : https://sirusa.bps.go.id/sirusa/index.php/indikator/1010
Karyono, Y., & Tusianti, E. (2021). Kajian Penghitungan Indeks Ketimpangan Gender 2021. Jakarta: BPS RI.
KemenPPPA. (2022, March 30). G20 EMPOWER : PENINGKATAN TENAGA KERJA PEREMPUAN DUKUNG PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI NEGARA. Retrieved from Kementerian Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak: https://www.kemenpppa.go.id/index.php/page/read/29/3817/g20-empower-peningkatan-tenaga-kerja-perempuan-dukung-pertumbuhan-ekonomi-negara
Mutia, A. (2022, November 2). Daftar 20 Negara Ekonomi Terkuat di Dunia 2022, Indonesia Masuk Daftar. Retrieved from databoks: https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2022/11/02/daftar-20-negara-ekonomi-terkuat-di-dunia-2022-indonesia-masuk-daftar
Nugroho, H. P. (2022, July 13). Disparitas Gender dan Pembangunan Ekonomi. Retrieved from Kemenkeu Ditjen Pembendaharaan: https://djpb.kemenkeu.go.id/kanwil/sumbar/id/data-publikasi/berita-terbaru/2949-disparitas-gender-dan-pembangunan-ekonomi.html
Sitorus, A. V. (2016). DAMPAK KETIMPANGAN GENDER TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI DI INDONESIA. Sosio Informa Vol. 2, No. 01, 89-101.
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