Komnas Perempuan Holds Civil Society Consultation on Draft CEDAW General Recommendation No. 41

Jakarta, 30 April 2026 — The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) convened an online consultation with civil society organizations (CSOs) and Indonesian women's rights activists to discuss the draft of General Recommendation No. 41 (GR No. 41) of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), titled "Dismantling Gender Stereotypes and the Unequal Power Relations that Sustain Them." The consultation aimed to gather perspectives and recommendations from civil society to inform Komnas Perempuan's submission to the CEDAW Committee, particularly on measures to eliminate gender stereotypes and address the unequal power relations that perpetuate discrimination against women.

The consultation brought together representatives of approximately 40 civil society organizations and women's rights activists, alongside Komnas Perempuan commissioners and staff members involved in women's rights advocacy and policy development.

In her opening remarks, Komnas Perempuan Chairperson Maria Ulfah Anshor emphasized that gender stereotypes are among the structural drivers of discrimination and violence against women. She underscored that dismantling these stereotypes requires transforming discriminatory social norms, policies, and practices through the active engagement of both the State and society.

During the discussion, Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak, Chair of Komnas Perempuan's International Advocacy Subcommission, highlighted the importance of integrating an intersectional perspective into GR No. 41. She emphasized the need to address the experiences of women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including Indigenous women, women belonging to ethnic minority groups, and women with disabilities.

The consultation featured contributions from Yuniyanti Chuzaifah and Rena Herdiyani of the Kalyanamitra Foundation, who shared insights and experiences from the field illustrating how gender stereotypes persist across various sectors, including correctional institutions and reproductive healthcare services. The discussion also underscored the need for policies that respond to women's diverse needs and address discriminatory practices that limit their access to rights, services, and opportunities.

Through the consultation, Komnas Perempuan reaffirmed the importance of GR No. 41 as a potential framework for guiding States in developing policies and measures to dismantle unequal power relations, eliminate gender-based discrimination, and advance substantive equality for women. The perspectives and recommendations gathered during the consultation will inform Komnas Perempuan's submission to the CEDAW Committee, helping ensure that the General Recommendation reflects the diverse realities and lived experiences of women in Indonesia.

Komnas Perempuan was represented at the consultation by Commissioners Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak, Rr. Sri Agustini, Yuni Asriyanti, and Chatarina Pancer, along with staff members from the International Advocacy Division and other relevant divisions.