Reflecting on 41 Years of the Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in National Policy

Reflecting on 41 Years of the Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in National Policy 

Jakarta, July 24, 2025 

This year marks 41 years since Indonesia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) through Law No. 7 of 1984. The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) interprets this momentum as an important reminder of the country's commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women, while ensuring the implementation of regular reporting to the CEDAW Committee. 

Since 1984, Indonesia has submitted eight periodic reports. The 9th Periodic Report is scheduled for submission in November 2025 as a form of accountability for the implementation of the 16 substantive articles of CEDAW and the Committee's general recommendations. Komnas Perempuan emphasizes the importance of meaningful involvement of civil society and human rights institutions in the preparation of this report, as well as in following up on the 60 recommendations of the CEDAW Committee in the 8th Periodic Report submitted in 2021. 

In this annual reflection, Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Sondang Frishka stated that Komnas Perempuan has observed a number of serious challenges in implementing the principles and norms of CEDAW. The 2024 Komnas Perempuan Annual Notes on Violence against Women (CATAHU) shows that violence against women remains high and tends to increase, particularly against women workers in vulnerable sectors such as domestic workers, migrant workers, and other informal workers. Moreover, the phenomenon of delays in justice exacerbates victims’ vulnerability in accessing justice, compounded by the absence of a comprehensive repatriation system for victims. 

Amid the urgent need to strengthen the national legal framework, Sondang added that several crucial regulations have stagnated or even retreated from the principles of equality and non-discrimination. The Domestic Workers Protection Bill (PPRT Bill), which has been championed for nearly two decades, has yet to be passed, and there has been no discussion on gender-equitable revisions to the Marriage Law, as recommended by the CEDAW Committee in response to Indonesia's latest (8th) Periodic Report. 

Komnas Perempuan also regrets the persistent misunderstanding of the principle of substantive equality in CEDAW, particularly among state officials. “Challenges to the principle of equality also arise in policy and legislative spheres,” claimed Commissioner Yuni Asriyanti. She cited statements made during the Constitutional Court hearing regarding the judicial review of the Law on the People's Consultative Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Regional Representative Council, and the Regional Legislative Council (MD3 Law), which demonstrated a misconception about substantive equality. 

“Substantive equality is not just about providing equal opportunities, but also demands affirmative action to correct entrenched structural inequalities,” Yuni underlined. 

Komnas Perempuan also highlighted a statement during the judicial review hearing of the Indonesian Military Law (TNI Law) that said that housewives lack legal standing. This statement reflects a structural bias that undermines women's legal capacity and contradicts the mandate of CEDAW, which requires the state to eliminate discrimination in all areas, including legal recognition and access to justice. 

Furthermore, Komnas Perempuan stresses the importance of making the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) an instrument to strengthen the implementation of CEDAW. Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities, and Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions provide a crucial framework. In its implementation, it is not sufficient to simply understand formal involvement but it must also encompass women’s meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels, including in policy formulation and legislative oversight. 

Commissioner Rr. Sri Agustini stated that Komnas Perempuan urges the state to accelerate the implementation of its obligations and commitments under CEDAW, including by aligning national regulations with the convention’s principles, guaranteeing legal protection for women and vulnerable groups, as well as ensuring that the reporting process is carried out in an inclusive and accountable manner. Policy reform must be supported by a human rights-based approach and a comprehensive gender analysis, so that Indonesia not only fulfills its formal obligations as a State Party but also truly realizes an equal, just, and safe life for women. 

In this context, to ensure gender equality and justice, Indonesia needs to reprioritize the existence of an umbrella policy on Gender Equality and Justice (KKG Bill), as has been consistently recommended by the CEDAW Committee as a crucial step for the implementation of CEDAW principles, namely Non-Discrimination, Substantive Equality and State Obligations in all national policies. 

Komnas Perempuan will continue to carry out its constitutional mandate to ensure that the state respects, protects, and fulfills women's human rights, including in the implementation of CEDAW as part of the pillars of international human rights. 

Contact Person: Elsa Faturahmah (081389371400)