Sumatra Disasters Heighten Vulnerability of Adolescent Girls

A recent study by Plan Indonesia has revealed serious vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in the aftermath of disasters in Sumatra. Instead of recovering, some are encountering increasingly unsafe situations, struggling to access aid, and facing the threat of dropping out of school.

The findings are detailed in the Girls in Crisis (2026) research, conducted in Aceh Tamiang, South Tapanuli, and Agam. The mixed-methods study, involving 110 survey respondents and 94 adolescent girls aged 10–19, shows that post-disaster recovery has not been equitable and has worsened pre-existing gender inequalities.

Plan Indonesia Executive Director Dini Widiastuti stated that adolescent girls face layered vulnerabilities due to the simultaneous loss of safe spaces and basic rights. “Only 46.36 percent feel completely safe. In evacuation shelters, 60 percent feel unsafe,” Dini said.

The study also recorded that 62.5 percent of children aged 10–14 lost their identity documents following a disaster. This complicates their access to formal aid and basic services.

In the education sector, economic pressure is a primary factor. A total of 41.82 percent of adolescent girls were already experiencing financial difficulties before the disaster, while 15.45 percent are now at risk of dropping out of school due to a decline in parental income. In the field, many cannot afford school fees, and their learning materials were lost to flooding.

Regarding protection, 87.27 percent of adolescent girls are aware of violence reporting mechanisms. However, only 26.04 percent have used formal channels such as the police. The majority still rely on family and close friends to report incidents.

Despite these limitations, awareness of their rights is growing. Some 39.1 percent of respondents aged 15–19 identified child marriage as a form of violence. Furthermore, 98.18 percent of respondents are still in school and expressed a desire to continue their education and personal development.

One respondent, Najwa (14) from Pidie Jaya, Aceh, said she remains enthusiastic about continuing her schooling despite being affected by a disaster. “I want to keep learning and achieve my dreams. Education is very important for the future,” she said.

Through this research, Plan International Indonesia is urging the government and stakeholders to integrate a gender perspective into all stages of disaster management, from mitigation to recovery. The organisation is also strengthening the Community-Based Integrated Child Protection (PATBM) mechanism in several areas of Aceh to ensure violence reporting channels are more accessible.

Aceh Regional Secretary M. Nasir stated that the research findings provide important input for local government. “This will strengthen disaster management policies to be more responsive to the needs of children and women,” he said.