Retno Marsudi & Sri Mulyani: Women in Power | Mata Najwa

Najwa Shihab2 minutes read

Women leaders face challenges in proving themselves and balancing career and domestic responsibilities, requiring resilience and navigating societal stereotypes. Emphasizing the importance of support systems, advocating for gender equality, and maintaining professionalism are crucial in leadership roles.

Insights

  • Female ministers face societal pressure to prove themselves constantly in male-dominated fields, navigating stereotypes and balancing career and domestic responsibilities.
  • Collaboration with international partners like Melinda Gates and prioritizing vaccine diplomacy at G20 meetings underscore the significance of global partnerships in addressing the pandemic.
  • Advocacy for women's rights, gender equality, and safe public spaces is crucial, requiring education, empowerment, and support systems to achieve societal change.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How are women leaders perceived in society?

    Women leaders face challenges due to societal stereotypes.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Ministers' Bags: Essentials and Differences"

  • Women's world is not limited to certain areas like finance or being formed, with only 10% representation.
  • Israel's actions are questioned for being rude, with a reference to Javanese culture.
  • A discussion on free lunches and budget sufficiency, with a mention of being lucky to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • A busy day schedule involving multiple events, meetings, and launching vaccine doses.
  • Detailed timeline of events starting from early morning meetings to late-night Zoom sessions.
  • A reminiscence of high school days and friendships, including a competitive environment and shared experiences.
  • An exploration of personal items in the bags of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including essentials like power banks, perfumes, and sanitary napkins.
  • An emphasis on simplicity in personal items, with a comparison between the two ministers' bags and their contents.
  • A discussion on the use of essential oils like eucalyptus for aromatherapy and stomach issues.
  • An exchange of personal experiences and preferences, highlighting differences in work habits and personal belongings.

14:57

"Defending National Interests: Challenges and Reflections"

  • Taking notes is crucial for remembering important information, especially related to state secrets and national interests.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of defending national interests and staying updated on new developments.
  • The mention of vitamin C and power banks hints at practical items carried regularly.
  • The speaker discusses the significance of various personal items like souvenirs, hand cream, and a thermos.
  • The importance of having specific items like a calculator and notes for work-related tasks is highlighted.
  • The speaker recalls childhood memories related to celebrity crushes and popular figures like Roy Martin.
  • The text delves into the experiences of a female minister in a male-dominated field, emphasizing the need to prove oneself constantly.
  • The challenges faced by women in positions of power, including the pressure to be perfect and the need to work harder, are discussed.
  • The text mentions the increasing presence of female finance and foreign ministers globally, with a focus on gender equality initiatives.
  • The speaker reflects on the struggles faced by women in powerful positions due to societal stereotypes and the need to sometimes compromise to be accepted.

30:11

Navigating High Expectations: Women Leaders' Challenges

  • Women in leadership roles need to navigate carefully, as high expectations are placed on them.
  • Communication style must be considerate to avoid offending or undermining women's authority.
  • Referring to male colleagues with respect is crucial, especially in professional settings.
  • Women leaders often face challenges in balancing career and domestic responsibilities.
  • Women leaders are expected to be strong and resilient, with a high level of endurance.
  • Women leaders often face critical points in their careers, such as marriage and motherhood.
  • Support systems like childcare facilities are essential for women to balance work and family life.
  • Men should also take responsibility for domestic duties, such as taking leave to care for their families.
  • Women leaders are often questioned about their ability to manage both career and household responsibilities.
  • Engaging with people and maintaining interactions is vital for women leaders in various settings.

44:29

Household tasks, gender roles, and advocacy discussed

  • The speaker lived in America for 6 years before returning home at the age of 4, during which time they shared household chores with their husband.
  • The husband enjoyed cleaning the toilet, while the speaker handled cooking and dishwashing, with laundry being a shared responsibility.
  • The speaker mentioned the division of tasks in the household, including lawn mowing being perceived as a man's job.
  • Shopping was highlighted as a task traditionally associated with women, but the speaker noted a shift with men also participating in grocery shopping.
  • The speaker discussed their children's interest in cooking, indicating a change in traditional gender roles.
  • The importance of collaboration and organization in managing household tasks was emphasized by the speaker.
  • The significance of having a supportive partner was highlighted, with the term "soul mate" used to describe an ideal relationship.
  • The speaker touched on the challenges faced by women in public spaces, citing statistics on harassment and the need for safe environments.
  • Advocacy for women's rights and gender equality was discussed, with a focus on education and empowerment.
  • The speaker reflected on the obstacles faced by women in society and the workplace, emphasizing the need for advocacy and education to achieve gender equality.

59:13

Global Response to Pandemic and Economic Recovery

  • The sudden need for Zoom due to the absence of the platform at the time led to the creation of a new application for handling Covid and economic recovery.
  • The enactment of Perpu Number 2 of 2020 aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and economic crisis, surpassing the response to the 2008-29 Global Financial Crisis.
  • Negotiations with South Korea and Japan were crucial to secure PPE during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of international cooperation.
  • Collaboration with Melinda Gates resulted in acquiring 516 million doses of vaccines, emphasizing the significance of global partnerships in combating the pandemic.
  • The focus shifted to vaccine diplomacy at G20 meetings, underlining the importance of prioritizing vaccine distribution over geopolitics.
  • The Palestinian issue garnered significant attention, with Indonesia actively advocating for Palestine at international forums like the ICJ.
  • The impact of digital technology allowed for global awareness of humanitarian crises, prompting discussions on human rights and international law.
  • The public's role in expressing concerns through actions like boycotting products was acknowledged as a legitimate form of activism.
  • The Minister of Finance's responsibilities in managing the APBN and navigating political transitions were highlighted, emphasizing the need for financial stability and accountability.
  • Planning for future transitions and maintaining the credibility and sustainability of the APBN were crucial for addressing ongoing challenges like El Nino and inflation.

01:14:50

Managing Political Transitions: Budget and Governance

  • The speaker discusses the professional handling of political transitions, particularly in relation to budget management and maintaining state tools.
  • Political decisions impact the budget, with discussions on fuel prices, subsidies, and salary raises.
  • The importance of political backing for decisions made by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs is highlighted.
  • Consultations with various political factions and government bodies, such as Commission 11, are crucial in budget decisions.
  • The speaker emphasizes the need for careful financial planning due to limited state revenue and various spending needs.
  • The process of preparing the state budget for the upcoming year involves consultations with the President and other government officials.
  • The speaker reflects on their long tenure in government roles, including experiences as Minister of Finance and World Bank involvement.
  • The importance of maintaining good governance, integrity, and adaptability in managing the complex Ministry of Finance is stressed.
  • The speaker discusses the future of foreign policy and the importance of upholding principles while potentially adjusting priorities.
  • Personal reflections on transitioning out of government roles and the importance of adapting to changes in leadership and political environments are shared.

01:30:26

"Finding Happiness and Perseverance in Work"

  • The speaker, a political journalist with 25 years of experience, emphasizes the importance of finding happiness in one's work to maintain motivation and overcome challenges.
  • Encourages women to persevere in their dreams, highlighting the need to face challenges head-on without giving up, especially when balancing work and family responsibilities.
  • Advocates for resilience and hope, citing personal examples and the importance of support from others in times of difficulty, while also acknowledging the value of allowing oneself to express emotions like crying.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.