“Today we commemorate Mother’s Day, meaning we also commemorate the day of mama-mam of West Papua because they are Indonesia,” said President Joko Widodo in front of Papuan mama.
President Joko Widodo returned to Papua on December 22, 2017, while attending the 89th Anniversary of Mother’s Day. The theme of “Empowering women, Indonesia victorious,” is centered in Waisai Torong Cinta Field, Raja Ampat District, West Papua Province. There the President was accompanied by the first lady, Mrs. Iriana; and Minister of Women in the Cabinet of President Joko Widodo, namely Puan Maharani (Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture), Retno Marsudi (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Sri Mulyani (Minister of Finance), Susi Pudjiastuti (Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries) Siti Nurbaya Bakar Minister of Environment and Forestry), Rini Soemarno (Minister of State-Owned Enterprises), Nila F Moeloek (Minister of Health), Khofifah Indar Parawansa (Minister for Social Affairs), and Yohana Yembise (Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection).
“Today we commemorate Mother’s Day, meaning we also commemorate the day of mama-mam of West Papua because they are Indonesia,” said President Joko Widodo in front of Papuan mama.
Meanwhile, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Yembise expressed her joy as the Mother’s Day 89th Anniversary Commemoration was held in Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province “Thank God today we all including Papuan mama can commemorate Mother’s Day with President Joko Widodo and First Lady. This is clear evidence that the country is present in the territory of Papua. I hope Mother’s Day to be a momentum to increase the potential of Indonesian women, promote gender equality, and give equal opportunities to men and women to work together to build nation and state, happy Mother’s Day for all of us! “Said Mama Yo, Joko Widodo to the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection. (The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection)
After the event, President Joko Widodo and Mrs. Iriana visited the merchandise shops of Papuan mama. According to President Joko Widodo, trading activities by mama-mama Papua is a symbol of a mother’s struggle. “All women have great contributions in this country. We see mothers who sell salak, sago, betel nut. I think this shows the strength of women’s struggle in order, for example for the sake of sending children to school, building homes, and others, “said President Joko Widodo (Kompas)
The Mother’s Day Commemoration is a form of government attention and recognition of the importance of women’s existence in different sectors of life. Without the mother role, the nation and state development process will not succeed. Thus, various forms of programs and appreciation of women are conducted by the state.
Keyword: Mother Day, Indonesia, West Papua, West Papua Province, development, human development
By: Zura
Editor: Nabilah Audah
