Encouraging Synergy to Strengthen the Protection of Women Human Rights in West Sumatra Province

Encouraging Synergy to Strengthen the Protection of Women's Human Rights in West Sumatra Province 

Jakarta, August 28, 2025 

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) as one of the National Human Rights Institutions visited West Sumatra during August 25–28, 2025 to conduct consultations with various women’s groups to obtain information on the situation faced by women with obtaining information on the situation, identities and experiences of women who are vulnerable to violence and discrimination and to build meeting spaces that are conducive to women. 

In a consultation attended by interfaith civil society organizations, service providers, victim and survivor communities, and elements of the state apparatus, the Deputy Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan, Dahlia Madanih, stated that Komnas Perempuan found three main issues that must receive serious attention from the government and law enforcement officials in order to build an improved situation for the fulfillment of women’s human rights in the West Sumatra Province, including: 

First, strengthening access to protection and recovery services for women victims. This includes access to complaint services for women victims, including the provision of safe houses as temporary shelters for victims facing situations of violence and discrimination. Komnas Perempuan noted that the increase in reports of violence against women must be addressed by increasing the capacity to handle victims, including increasing capacity to implement the protection, treatment, and prevention mandates stipulated in specific laws, namely the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence (UU PKDRT), the Law on the Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence (UU TPKS), and the Law on the Criminal Acts of Trafficking in Persons. 

Second, strengthening the fulfillment of the right to freedom of religion, by establishing interfaith women’s group meetings that can foster respect for religious diversity, as well as the cooperation between women across religions and beliefs, especially in educational environments and community life. In this regard, Commissioner of Komnas Perempuan, Chatarina Pancer Istiyani, noted the experiences of discrimination that women still face in terms of enjoying the right to freedom of religion, such as the continued practice of forced dress code in educational environments, as well as the importance of recovery and reconciliation steps involving women in the incident that occurred on July 27 at the Indonesian Faithful Christian Church (GKSI). 

Third, the protection of indigenous women is crucial, including involving them and listening to their voices and experiences in the planning and implementation of geothermal development, as well as the management of customary land as a source of livelihood for women. Komnas Perempuan has requested that the Central and Regional Governments review the ongoing mining, forestry, and renewable energy concession permits in the West Sumatra Province, taking into account women’s experiences and the impacts they will face, as noted in the Komnas Perempuan complaint report on the case of indigenous women in Mount Talang and Kapa, ​​West Pasaman Regency. 

Commissioner Daden Sukendar, who was part of this visit, emphasized that Komnas Perempuan has conveyed the three main points to the West Sumatra Provincial Government, the West Sumatra Regional Police, and the West Sumatra Legislative Council (DPRD), which were important to receive serious attention. In regards to these three issues faced, it is important that attention is given to reviewing how regional regulations are being implemented. 

Contact Person: Elsa Faturahmah (081389371400)