COLOMBO : The Indonesian Navy guided-missile frigate KRI RE Martadinata 331 was berthed at Colombo Port on February 19–21, 2023 after returning from AMMAN Exercise 2023 which took place on 10-14 February 2023.
There were about 138 Indonesian navy troops working aboard the frigate, in which 14 of them are women Navy, including one that serves as the Panther helicopter’s co-pilot.
The roles of Indonesian Women Armed Forces including in the Navy are recognized not only as supporting units but also as the frontline defense, although the number is still relatively low in contrast to the number of male soldiers.
The assignment of 14 female troops in the frigate KRI Martadinata 331 symbolizes a wider inclusiveness of Indonesian women in numerous professions.
In this regard, the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo, in collaboration with the Indonesian Women’s Navy from KRI RE Martadinata 331, invited Sri Lanka women navy on the 20th of February 2023 to visit the ship and have a discussion to promote close relations and cooperation in advancing the role of female soldiers.
The event was held concurrently to celebrate International Women’s Day, who’s this year’s theme is “Embrace Equality.”
Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka H. E. Dewi Gustina Tobing; Indonesian Defense Attache in New Delhi, First Admiral TNI Didik Kurniawan; and the KRI RE Martadinata 331 Captain, Colonel Ferry Hutagaol also attended the meeting.
In her remarks, Ambassador Dewi Tobing hailed this event to give the opportunity for female navy of Indonesia and Sri Lanka to exchange experience and knowledge. Ambassador Dewi hopes they can maintain the contacts to enable them to keep in touch with each other.
During the meeting, both Indonesia and Sri Lanka’s Women Navy discussed enthusiastically to learn each other on the function and participation of women in their respective militaries. As most of them are still in their early 20s, this meeting hopefully will be the strong basis for both to empower each other.
Apart from discussion, the Sri Lanka Women Navy also enjoyed the site visit in the frigate to see the various facilities on board. They also had the opportunity to inspect the ship’s facilities for Women Navy, given that the Sri Lankan Armed Forces were considering the inclusion of their Women Navy on Sri Lankan Frigate.
Meanwhile, even though the Indonesian Women Navy had been established in the last 60 years, it was only in 2014 that Indonesian Women Navy were placed on board. Currently, the number of female soldiers in Indonesia has only reached 2% of the total number of Indonesian armed force. This number is certain to increase in terms of numbers and involvement on the front line, given the support from the Indonesian Armed Force.
Indonesia also continues to encourage the involvement of women in the UN Peacekeeping Force. As of June 2021, of the current total of 2,795 Indonesian Peacekeepers serving in 7 peace missions such as in Lebanon, Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Darfur, Mali and Western Sahara, there are 158 female personnel. Since 1999, Indonesia has sent 570 female personnel to various UN peace missions.
