Surabaya (beritajatim.id) – Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Governor of East Java for the 2019-2024 term, recently welcomed Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, to Surabaya. The meeting, held over a luncheon, focused on East Java’s progress, particularly its commitment to sustainable development.
Gita Sabharwal, who assumed her role in Indonesia in April 2024, expressed keen interest in Khofifah’s initiatives, especially her efforts in empowering women and promoting gender equality as the Chairwoman of Muslimat NU.
“I’m relatively new in Indonesia, and we aim to learn from and meet influential leaders who significantly contribute to society, particularly in areas aligned with sustainable development goals,” Gita stated.
Gita praised Khofifah’s leadership in public service and her initiatives in education and social welfare, noting that Khofifah’s efforts in women’s empowerment are particularly inspiring.
The meeting was also attended by key UN representatives, including Hosianna Anggreni, UN Women Program Analyst, Regina Noya, Head of IOM Office in Surabaya, and other officials from UNICEF, UNDP, and the WHO.
Following the meeting, Khofifah expressed her gratitude for the UN’s attention to East Java, particularly in recognizing the province’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are thankful to Ms. Gita Sabharwal and her team for visiting East Java. It’s an honor that they are focusing on our work, especially in sustainable development,” Khofifah said.
Khofifah detailed various initiatives undertaken by the East Java Provincial Government over the past five years, which align with the SDGs, including Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Khofifah’s administration has made significant strides in healthcare, from enhancing infrastructure and services to extending care to remote areas. Her focus on welfare includes direct involvement in distributing aid through programs like PKH Plus for the elderly and providing capital assistance to female heads of households.
In education, Khofifah’s “Tis Tas” program has notably improved the quality of education in East Java, leading to numerous accolades. The province has consistently had the highest number of students accepted into state universities and has won national science competitions for several consecutive years.
Khofifah’s leadership has also been recognized nationally, receiving the Satyalancana Karya Bhakti Praja Nugraha award from President Joko Widodo during the 28th Regional Autonomy Day in April.
“We have undertaken numerous sustainable development projects in East Java, such as expanding solar power in many pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), which not only benefits the environment but also brings economic efficiency,” Khofifah added.
The discussion also covered strategic collaborations between UN agencies and East Java, focusing on ongoing efforts and future opportunities, particularly in women’s empowerment and gender equality.
