Surabaya, East Java, Dec. 28 -- East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa on Sunday called for stronger protection, empowerment and advancement of women, saying their role is crucial as agents of regional and national development amid demographic and social changes in Indonesia's second-most populous province.

"The population of East Java in 2025 reached 42.08 million, with women accounting for 50.17 percent. This is both a tremendous strength and a challenge that must be managed wisely to support inclusive and sustainable development," Khofifah said in a statement.

She pointed to steady progress in gender-related indicators, noting that East Java's Gender Development Index (IPG) stood at 93.05 in 2024, higher than the national averag...