RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) is encouraging women to become drivers of sustainable development by strengthening village food security. The ministry emphasizes that women need to be granted a larger role in rural development and grassroots decision-making processes.

"Women have long played a major role in preserving the environment, managing local food resources, and sustaining family economies. However, their contributions have yet to receive adequate recognition in the development process," said Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, in a statement on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

She asserted that women must not merely be passive beneficiaries of development, but must actively participate in drafting government policies and village programs.

To this end, Kementerian PPPA is pushing to enhance women's participation in the Development Planning Consultation through affirmative action policies.

"Rural women safeguard our food, agriculture, and local traditions, yet their access to economic resources and decision-making remains limited," she noted.

During the occasion, Veronica also introduced the Women's Local Food Garden program, developed by PPPA Ministry in collaboration with various partners. The initiative aims to reinforce household food security while boosting women's economic independence through the management of local food potential.

"The Women's Local Food Garden program strengthens women's capacity through education, legal protection, and family resilience. The initiative also empowers women economically and socially, boosting their confidence within the community," she explained.

Veronica highlighted that while women are often the group most affected by disasters, they remain resilient in protecting their families and local communities. She expressed hope that the best practices demonstrated by women's communities would serve as valuable input for drafting inclusive and equitable national development policies.

"Strengthening women's communities can create self-reliant, sustainable villages with more robust socio-economic resilience. Women's communities play a vital role in ensuring development sustainability and enhancing the long-term welfare of rural societies," she concluded. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)