West Sumatra Contributed the Highest Number of Female Professionals in 2020

In 2020, West Sumatra had the highest percentage of women in professional roles in Indonesia. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported that women filled 58.97% of professional positions in the province. Pesisir Selatan Regency had the highest percentage within West Sumatra, at 65.20%.

Gorontalo followed with 57.31%, then South Sulawesi at 54.47%, South Sumatra at 54.37%, and North Sumatra at 54.26%. Nationally, this percentage increased from 47.46% in 2019 to 48.76% in 2020. This indicates gradual progress in gender empowerment in Indonesia.

However, according to the 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) gender gap report, Indonesia ranked 85th in gender equality. The largest gap was in economic opportunity and participation (58%), followed by political empowerment (25%).

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According to the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the economic opportunity and participation gap often experienced by women includes shouldering the same workload as men but not receiving equal placement and career opportunities. This situation often becomes unstable with the assumption that after marriage, women will become pregnant and have children.

The AJI also stated that creating gender equality in the workplace requires support and commitment from employers and policymakers. Furthermore, the media plays a significant role. Media has the potential to disseminate information, expose, and rectify gender inequality in Indonesia.