Komnas Perempuan Calls for Stronger Protection of Older Women in UN Thematic Report

Jakarta, 18 May 2026 — The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) participated in an online expert consultation convened by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. The consultation followed a call for inputs for a thematic report on violence against older women and provided an opportunity for further discussion of the issues raised in Komnas Perempuan's submission.

In its submission, Komnas Perempuan highlighted the increasing number of reported cases of gender-based violence against older women in Indonesia, which reached 24 cases in 2025, the highest number recorded during the reporting period. Most cases occurred in private and domestic settings. Komnas Perempuan called on the State to strengthen the legal framework to explicitly recognize the rights of older women, ensure access to gender- and age-responsive services, and fully support the development of a legally binding UN convention on the rights of older persons. The Special Rapporteur's thematic report is expected to be presented to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In her opening remarks, UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem explained that the consultation aimed to explore in greater depth the submissions received from States, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, academics, and experts from various countries. The meeting brought together 25 participants from different parts of the world, including Indonesia, Lebanon, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Gaza, to contribute diverse perspectives on the experiences, challenges, and protection needs of older women facing various forms of violence.

The consultation focused on three key areas: clarifying the definition of older women and the scope of their protection under international human rights frameworks; identifying good practices among States and other stakeholders in preventing and responding to violence against older women; and developing policy recommendations to strengthen prevention, protection, support services, and access to recovery and justice for older women survivors of violence.

During the session on good practices, Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak, Chair of Komnas Perempuan's International Advocacy Subcommission, shared Indonesia's experience of collaboration among six national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in monitoring places of detention and other settings where individuals may be deprived of their liberty. Drawing on the principles of the Convention against Torture (CAT), Komnas Perempuan has extended this monitoring approach to government-run social care institutions and residential facilities for older persons. These efforts aim to identify risks of violence, strengthen preventive measures, and promote adequate standards of care and protection for older women, including those with psychosocial disabilities.

Komnas Perempuan also emphasized the importance of recognizing the distinct and intersecting vulnerabilities of older women who have experienced violence and human rights violations earlier in their lives. The Commission urged the UN Special Rapporteur to ensure that the thematic report addresses the experiences of women survivors of gross human rights violations who are now growing older and continue to face the long-term consequences of violence, including enduring trauma, deteriorating health, limited access to essential services, stigma, and inadequate access to justice and reparations.

In discussions on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, Komnas Perempuan stressed that older women survivors should not be viewed solely as a vulnerable group or as passive recipients of protection. Drawing on Indonesia's experience in transitional justice advocacy, the Commission highlighted their important role in preserving collective memory, sharing testimonies of past human rights violations, and passing on knowledge and experiences to younger generations. Their contributions are essential to sustaining efforts to advance human rights, justice, and accountability. This perspective has also been documented in various Komnas Perempuan reports examining the long-term impacts of gender-based violence in the context of gross human rights violations.

Komnas Perempuan was represented at the consultation by Commissioner Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak and staff members from the International Advocacy Division.