Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian and Australian governments agreed to push for the empowerment of women and daughters, who bore the brunt of health, economic, and humanitarian impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, through dialogues among women leaders.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi and Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne will hold a Southeast Asia Dialogue of Women Leaders on March 18, 2022, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a written statement here on Tuesday.

"The dialogue will contribute to the sustainable promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and daughters in Southeast Asia and Australia," Marsudi remarked.

The virtual meeting will bring together over 30 Southeast Asian and Australian women leaders and prominent women figures, with different professional, cultural, and academic backgrounds.

The meeting will highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and daughters and discuss cooperation proposals with policy makers in the region. The outcome of the meeting will complement and strengthen similar efforts made at other regional and international forums, such as the UN, G20, and ASEAN.

Meanwhile, through its written statement, the Australian Embassy in Indonesia affirmed that both foreign ministers remain committed to protecting the rights of women and daughters.

"Minister Payne and Minister Marsudi are aware of the significant health, social, humanitarian, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis in Australia, Indonesia, and the greater region, including the unproportional impact on women and daughters," the embassy stated.