President Joko Widodo has been accused of many things, but never sexism. He currently has nine female ministers in his cabinet, including several in the most powerful posts such as Economics Minister Sri Mulyani and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
While giving a speech in Kota Serang, Banten yesterday in honor of Mother’s Day, the president gave a simple explanation for why he included picked so many women for his cabinet.
“I have to say it’s because I like women, because women are observant and thoroughly look at problems. Men don’t,” Jokowi said during his speech as quoted by Tempo.
Jokowi also said that he’d found that women tend to be tougher than men. “My ministers that are women never complain, this is what I’ve experienced.”
Indonesia was moving forward, Jokowi said, in large part thanks to the hard work of the women in the government, such as the 77 women who are regents, mayors or their deputies throughout the country.
“So never underestimate the power of mothers. As soon as they intervene, all of our problems can be taken care of,” Jokowi said.
In addition to Sri Mulyani and Retno Marsudi, Jokowi’s cabinet includes Social Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection Yohana Yembise, Coordinating Minister for People’s Empowerment and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of State Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, and, of course, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.
