Semarang (22/12) – Being a leader in educational institutions was not only responsible for providing quality education but also being sensitive to current issues with discussions that create real solutions. Based on this purpose, the DWP (Dharma Wanita Persatuan) of Universitas Diponegoro held a “Talk Show for the Female Deans and Great Mothers at Universitas Diponegoro” which was a series of the DWP Undip International Webinar in commemoration of National Mother’s Day 2021.

The talk show which was held in the afternoon session of the Undip DWP International Webinar was led by Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Sc. (Dean of FEB Undip) and invited great women from Faculties and Schools at Undip, namely Dr. Fitriyah, M.A. (Undip FISIP); Prof. Widowati, S.Si., M.Sc. (Undip FSM); Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, S.Psi., M.Sc., Ph.D (FPsi Undip); Prof. Ir. Tri Winarni Agustini, M.Sc., Ph.D (FPIK Undip); Prof. Retno Saraswati, S.H., M. Hum. (FH Undip); Dr. Nurhayati, M. Hum. (FIB Undip); Dr. Dra. Sulistiyani, M.Kes. (FKM Undip); Prof. Dr. dr. Tri Indah Winarni, M.Sc., Med, PAK (FK Undip); Prof. Dr. Ir. Florentina Kusmiyati, M.Sc (FPP Undip); Prof. Dr. Ir. Erni Setyowati, M.T. (FT Undip); Anggun Puspitarini Siswanto, S.T., Ph.D (SV Undip); Prof. Dra. Indah Susilowati, M.Sc., Ph.D (FEB Undip); Prof. Dr. Dra. Ari Pradhanawati, M.S. (Undip FISIP); Prof. Dr. Dra. Dewi Yuliati, M.A. (FIB Undip).

Historically, Prof. Dr. Dra. Dewi Yuliati, M.A. explained that the spirit of women’s struggle was greatly influenced by the spirit of RA Kartini who boldly raised the socio-cultural issues. From the letters she sent to her friends in the Netherlands, RA Kartini revealed that the struggle of Indonesian women was still long and many things need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, Prof. Retno Saraswati, S.H., M. Hum. revealed that gender equality needed to be re-enforced, especially in the economic and legal fields. Women could also play a role in becoming state leaders by creating sustainable development strategies.

Prof. Dr. dr. Tri Indah Winarni, M.Sc., Med, PAK from Undip Medical Faculty stated that almost 70% of health workers in Indonesia consisted of women. Therefore, the role of women in the public sphere should not be underestimated, because women acted as role models, child care, and health care.

Especially during this pandemic, health issue was a top priority and it was not only about physical health but also included mental health. Dr. Dra. Sulistiyani, M.Kes. from Undip Public Health Faculty conveyed the message that the roles of men and women in the household must be divided equally. Being wives and mothers, women’s mental health also matters.

Prof. Widowati, S.Si., M.Sc. said that mathematics was a science that was applied to almost every aspect of life. Therefore, women must master it because regular financial management was very important in the household. In addition, mathematics was also very fun to learn.

With the theme “Gender Equality in Millennial Culture”, the Dean of Undip Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Nurhayati, M. Hum. stated that gender roles were cultural constructs that must be revised. In modern times like today, the perspective on breadwinning and family income, in which women whose income was more than their husbands was said to be disdainful to men, was starting to fade. Nurhayati explained that the belief system and the media put forward the idea that men were the leaders. However, Undip could prove that women could also be leaders. It was indicated by the presence of five great women who currently served as the Deans of the Faculty.

According to the perspective of society towards education in Indonesia, which still judged vocational education as a second class, Anggun Puspitarini Siswanto, S.T., Ph.D stated that she had a vision and mission to break the stigma. Anggun emphasized that vocational school graduates were also competent and could become superior human resources in the world of work.

Being involved in empowering Indonesian women directly, Prof. Dr. Ir. Erni Setyowati, M.T. told about her project in collaboration with the local women. Moving along to be productive women, Erni invited the housewives to create MSMEs that produced products made from water hyacinth. The product had also been used at Undip, one of which was in the Prof. Soedarto Building.

A representative from Undip FISIP, Prof. Dr. Dra. Ari Pradhanawati, M.S. stated that the role of women in the public sphere as much as 30% was increasingly being enforced. Continuing the statement, Dr. Fitriyah, M.A. agreed to it but said that it was not easy for the female Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) to occupy higher positions. Besides the domestic roles, a patriarchal society that preferred men to be leaders made the female representatives lose their votes in general elections.

Having the same vision in improving women’s welfare, Prof. Ir. Tri Winarni Agustini, M.Sc., Ph.D from Undip Fisheries and Marine Sciences Faculty and Prof. Dr. Ir. Florentina Kusmiyati, M.Sc from Undip Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture created a technology-based program to facilitate women who worked as fish collectors and farmers. Despite working in an open space, these women did not have to work with many obstacles because they were supported by adequate technology and facilities.

While Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, S.Psi., M.Sc., Ph.D from the Undip Faculty of Psychology explained that learning agility was important for women. Empowerment of women was carried out over time because the skills that were continuously honed would also be beneficial for children and the next generation in the future.

Prof. Dra. Indah Susilowati, M.Sc., Ph.D said that the 5th goal of the SDGs, namely Enforce Gender Equality had been carried out continuously in Indonesia and the program must be continued to achieve gender equality in various sectors.

Closing this discussion, Vice-Rector IV Undip, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ambariyanto, M.Sc. thanked the speakers on this talk show. “Thank you for the enthusiasm of the webinar participants, which has almost reached 300 participants. Hopefully, it will provide useful knowledge, an extraordinary generation is born from an extraordinary mother,” concluded Prof. Ambariyanto. (Titis – Public Relations)