Indonesia’s lawmaker urges action on gender equality

A senior Indonesian lawmaker says International Women’s Day should be used to strengthen national awareness of gender equality and accelerate efforts to ensure justice and equal opportunities for women.

International Women’s Day Calls for Strengthened Gender Equality Efforts in Indonesia

Lestari Moerdijat, deputy speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), stated that meaningful progress toward gender equality requires a strong commitment from all sectors of society, as well as policies that create structural change.

“Commitment to justice and equality for women cannot be fully realized without support from all parties and policies that drive structural change in society,” she said.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the importance of collaboration, generosity and social investment in advancing gender equality, according to Moerdijat.

The observance of International Women’s Day during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan offers a timely opportunity to reflect on values such as empathy, justice and social solidarity, which closely align with the spirit of the global campaign to promote women’s rights and equal opportunities.

Moerdijat emphasized that the struggle for gender equality is not solely the responsibility of the government but requires participation from all elements of society.

International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, also serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges women continue to face in many sectors, including the economy, politics and protection from violence.

Indonesia was ranked 97th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, with a gender equality score of 0.692, reflecting ongoing gaps in economic participation, political representation, educational access and health outcomes between men and women.

Findings from the National Women’s Life Experience Survey (SPHPN) 2024 showed that one in four Indonesian women aged 15 to 64 has experienced physical or sexual violence during her lifetime, highlighting that gender equality and the protection of women remain critical issues.

Moerdijat expressed hope that this year’s International Women’s Day would strengthen collective awareness and encourage more concrete actions to promote justice and equality for Indonesian women.