PRESIDENT: WOMEN PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN NATIONAL CIVILIZATION BUILDING

Jakarta, Dec. 22 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said women play a crucial role in building national civilization and character.

"The freedom that we exercise is an ethical one. We build the nation to have character and noble morality. Slander, bad and exaggerating words will only disturb," the President said in his remarks on the 81st commemoration of Mothers' Day at TMII (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) in east Jakarta on Tuesday.

Women, especially mothers, have been playing a significant roles in national development since the national struggle for independence, according to the head of state.

Mothers' Day in Indonesia is observed to express gratitude and appreciation to mothers as well as to promote gender equality in the country, according to Yudhoyono.

He said that there has already been progress in the gender equality efforts as women currently have become legislators, businesswomen, and government officials.

The President also called for more respect and appreciation to women as they continue to deal with globalization and economic crisis.

The Mothers' Day commemoration was attended among others by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono's wife Herawaty Boediono, and Mrs. Try Sutrisno (wife of former vice president Try Sutrisno).