Minister of Social Affairs Risma Reveals the Strategic Role of Women in Overcoming Social Problems

YOGYAKARTA (17 APRIL 2023) - Ministry of Social Affairs views women as making an important contribution in handling social problems.  Women play an important role at the family level which is the foundation of nation development.

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that women play a big role in handling social problems, especially those related to children.  Minister of Social Affairs advised that amid modernity where opportunities are open without distinguishing gender, women must still remember their role as wives and mothers in the family.

"I hope, come on, all of us, no matter how high our achievements are, no matter how high our positions are, we are still women and wives and mothers of our children," said Social Affairs Minister Risma when she was one of the speakers at Ramadhan Dialogue activity entitled "Kartini Discusses National Problems” at UGM Mardliyyah Campus Mosque, Yogyakarta (16/04).

Women play an important role in the family in monitoring children's development, to minimize the occurrence of juvenile delinquency which has the potential to cause social problems.

"Sometimes we neglect these children and ultimately the children fail in their education.  Many parents are successful, but their children fail in their education.  The main thing is a failure in social problems, juvenile delinquency, and so on.  "Well, this is what I have to remind the younger generation," said Minister Risma.

While still serving as Mayor of Surabaya, Minister of Social Affairs Risma tried to create a productive environment for children such as building libraries, and broadband learning centers along with trainers who can teach children to operate computers, providing free Wi-Fi facilities in public places and parks equipped with sports fields.  Not only that, at RW Hall every Saturday and Sunday there are trainings such as self-defense, reciting the Koran, mathematics house, and language house.  This aims to fill children's free time outside of their study time.

Minister of Social Affairs stated that the children were at school for 8 hours.  Then after that, they will leave (the environment outside the school).  From a total of 24 hours (minus 8 hours at school).  For the remaining 16 hours, the children are at home and in their environment.

 "So then what I do is if they sleep for 8 hours (out of 16 hours), then we have to fill these 8 hours. Because if not, these children will not have a pattern," she said.

It reminded me that this country and nation will be greatly influenced by the future of children.  "So, what we have done is meaningless if the next generation of children have no future," she added.

Not only reminding the important role of women, Minister Risma also invited the entire young generation to join hands in fighting social problems rooted in poverty and ignorance.

“Because of that, why do we have to hold hands, join hands to save each other.  Because if we don't do that, then the future of this nation will be truly worrying.  I always say that the future of colonialism is poverty and ignorance.  "That's why we have to fight it," said Minister of Social Affairs.

Finally, Minister of Social Affairs advised the younger generation, fellow students in particular, to take care of what the heroes from Sabang to Merauke have left to this country by caring for each other.

“Let's take care of it in a way that we care for each other, and we pay attention to each other.  "That is the key to our success," said Minister Risma.