Theme Launched by Indonesian Women's Alliance Ahead of International Women's Day
The Indonesian Women's Alliance (API) has launched a political theme ahead of International Women's Day, which falls on 8 March 2026. At a press conference on Saturday, 14 February 2026, API unveiled the theme "WOMEN UNITE: Fighting the Destruction of Our Bodies."
According to API, the theme represents a statement of position on the direction of government policy during the first eighteen months of the Prabowo–Gibran administration. The coalition of women's organisations stated it remains consistent in critiquing state policy from the perspective of women's lived experiences.
"International Women's Day is a historic moment in the struggle of the global women's movement for a more just world," said Mutiara Ika Pratiwi, chairwoman of Perempuan Mahardhika, on Monday, 16 February 2026.
Through this year's theme, they are calling on all women and elements of society to move together to build an Indonesia that is equal and free from gender-based violence.
Ita Purnama from Marsinah.id highlighted the layered oppression experienced by women workers. She noted that women workers face low wages and precarious employment contracts, whilst also bearing domestic burdens and remaining vulnerable to violence and harassment in the workplace. "Women's bodies frequently become a battleground between an economic system that exploits labour and a patriarchal social system," she said.
Mutya from Institut KAPAL Perempuan raised concerns about reductions in regional fiscal transfers (TKD), which she assessed as potentially affecting regional budget priorities. She argued that when the protection and empowerment of women has yet to become a priority, fiscal reductions risk further marginalising programmes for women and vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Ija Syahruni from FAMM Indonesia raised the issue of land grabbing and the loss of living spaces in National Strategic Project (PSN) areas. She said women in PSN-affected areas frequently lose access to food sources, clean water, medicine, and the spiritual and social spaces they have long managed.
Ika Agustina from Kalyanamitra criticised claims of a declining gender inequality index. According to her, many state policies have yet to fully consider women's perspectives. She cited the practice of female circumcision, which remains difficult to recognise as a gender inequality issue because it is often viewed as tradition, despite concerning bodily integrity and the right to freedom from violence.
Sari from YAPPIKA–FPPI emphasised that development without gender justice risks perpetuating systemic inequality. Jumisih from JALA PRT highlighted the stalling of deliberations on the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT). She noted that many female domestic workers work without income certainty, maternity protections, and remain vulnerable to violence.
API will hold a "Women's Stage" event on 8 March 2026. The forum will bring together hundreds of women's activists to affirm their commitment that women's voices must be heard and violence against women must be stopped.
According to API, the theme represents a statement of position on the direction of government policy during the first eighteen months of the Prabowo–Gibran administration. The coalition of women's organisations stated it remains consistent in critiquing state policy from the perspective of women's lived experiences.
"International Women's Day is a historic moment in the struggle of the global women's movement for a more just world," said Mutiara Ika Pratiwi, chairwoman of Perempuan Mahardhika, on Monday, 16 February 2026.
Through this year's theme, they are calling on all women and elements of society to move together to build an Indonesia that is equal and free from gender-based violence.
Ita Purnama from Marsinah.id highlighted the layered oppression experienced by women workers. She noted that women workers face low wages and precarious employment contracts, whilst also bearing domestic burdens and remaining vulnerable to violence and harassment in the workplace. "Women's bodies frequently become a battleground between an economic system that exploits labour and a patriarchal social system," she said.
Mutya from Institut KAPAL Perempuan raised concerns about reductions in regional fiscal transfers (TKD), which she assessed as potentially affecting regional budget priorities. She argued that when the protection and empowerment of women has yet to become a priority, fiscal reductions risk further marginalising programmes for women and vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Ija Syahruni from FAMM Indonesia raised the issue of land grabbing and the loss of living spaces in National Strategic Project (PSN) areas. She said women in PSN-affected areas frequently lose access to food sources, clean water, medicine, and the spiritual and social spaces they have long managed.
Ika Agustina from Kalyanamitra criticised claims of a declining gender inequality index. According to her, many state policies have yet to fully consider women's perspectives. She cited the practice of female circumcision, which remains difficult to recognise as a gender inequality issue because it is often viewed as tradition, despite concerning bodily integrity and the right to freedom from violence.
Sari from YAPPIKA–FPPI emphasised that development without gender justice risks perpetuating systemic inequality. Jumisih from JALA PRT highlighted the stalling of deliberations on the Domestic Workers Protection Bill (RUU PPRT). She noted that many female domestic workers work without income certainty, maternity protections, and remain vulnerable to violence.
API will hold a "Women's Stage" event on 8 March 2026. The forum will bring together hundreds of women's activists to affirm their commitment that women's voices must be heard and violence against women must be stopped.