Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Special Envoy of the Secretary General
UN
for Water Issues,
Retno Marsudi
, reveals the important role of women in coping
water crisis
globally at The Big Idea Forum: Mothers of the Earth.
At the Big Idea Forum: Mothers of the Earth event at the National Museum, Jakarta, to commemorate Mother’s Day, Retno shared the trust she received from the UN.
“On November 1, 2024, based on the mandate of member countries, the UN appointed an Indonesian woman to become the UN Secretary General’s first special envoy to address world water challenges.”
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“This decision could not have been made without careful consideration. Member countries and the UN Secretary General believe that if given the opportunity, women will be able to lead well,” said Retno.
Retno said the trust given to her by the UN proves that women are part of the solution, including in overcoming water challenges and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
“Women have been proven to be guardians of the earth, Mother of the Earth. World Bank data shows that involving women can make projects 6-7 times more effective,” said Retno.
“FAO calculated that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they would produce 20 to 30 percent more food, and their families would enjoy better nutrition, health and education,” he added.
Retno then gave an example in India, which based on data shows that if women sit on the board that manages drinking water projects, the results of the project will be 62 percent better.
“Even in the business sector, data from Forbes shows that inclusive teams produce 87 percent better business decisions. These data show that women are always part of the solution,” emphasized Retno.
Women Rise, Planet Moves Forward
Retno Marsudi revealed that the world is facing huge water challenges.The former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that water-related disasters were increasing.Through 2024, water-related disasters will cause economic losses of US$550 billion.
Apart from that, around 75 percent of the world’s population is estimated to be affected by drought by 2050. Retno also said that every day children under the age of 5 die because of unsafe water and sanitation.
“Data also shows that one in four people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water and almost half of the population does not have access to safe sanitation, while we know that water is life and there will be no life without water,” said Retno.
Furthermore, the woman born in Semarang, Central Java, said that women’s leadership is not just an ‘addition’, but is a prerequisite for a more sustainable, better and fairer future.
Retno said that empowering women is not a moral imperative, but rather a foundation for a sustainable and just future.When women take the lead in protecting water, land, and ecosystems, they not only protect nature, but also humanity’s shared future.
“In short, when women rise up, the planet moves forward. In closing, together we must be steadfast in realizing equal human rights and empowerment for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere,” said Retno.
The Big Idea Forum: Mother’s of the Earth presents Retno Marsudi as a speaker.Apart from that, speakers were also present, Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, Head of the Indonesia Heritage Agency, Indira Setiyanti Nurjadin, Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, and Chair of the Sustainable Environmental Bamboo Foundation, Monica Tanuhandaru.
Apart from that, also present were the Founder and Chair of the CT Arsa Foundation Anita Tanjung, and the Editor-in-Chief of hitclubapk3 Indonesia Titin Rosmasari.
(bow)
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