APEC WEF Aimed for Women Empowerment Roadmap in Economy

Towards the closing of the 3rd Women and Economy Forum (WEF APEC), delegates discussed key issues that will be put as the conclusion to Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) .

"Over the last two days , we have discussed various issues concerning capital and business opportunities for women entrepreneurs . Four meetings have been held and each produce recommendations that we hope will be a roadmap to realize more tangible action, " said Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the minister, Sri Danti, who acted as PPWE Chairman said that PPWE must involve The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) as part of their women economic empowerment programs.

The best recommendation would be collected this year so that the implementation of PECC integration can be done next year. Five countries that will participate in the initial implementation of this PECC are: China as next year’s host, Indonesia as the host this year, the Philippines that will also host the event, the United States as volunteers from developed countries and Papua New Guinea.

Sri Danti argued that strategic plan is being prepared for the economic empowerment of women . "The main purpose of PPWE should be integrated in any agenda of APEC economies to become one big idea which covers some areas: access to capital and markets , human resources, and capacity building . This strategic plan will be made within 2013-2018 and the first draft will be collected in November 2013," said Sri Danti.

PPWE put forward some issues that also needs to be discussed: how to better integrate the private sector with PPWE activities , how to create a better economic growth , and how to integrate the discussion with PPWE policy.

The main theme of this event, "Women as the Energy Behind Economy” has been discussed by several groups, namely: Structural Reform, Women and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Infrastructure and Human Capital Resources.

A public dialogue with the private sector over the last two days was attended by 806 participants from various ministers, heads of delegations, officials of central and local governments, business associations, women leaders, and academics.

Nearing the closing time, APEC WEF has held nine panel discussions with 77 speakers from various companies CEOs , academics and delegates APEC member economies to discuss best practices , strategies , and challenges in the economic empowerment of women in the Asia Pacific region .

(Source: apec2013.or.id)