Komnas Perempuan Engages Local Civil Society Organizations in Indramayu to Inform CEDAW Shadow Report

Indramayu, West Java, 23 April 2026 — The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) convened a focus group discussion (FGD) with local civil society organizations to gather insights into the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The discussion formed part of Komnas Perempuan's efforts to collect evidence, document lived experiences, and incorporate civil society perspectives into the preparation of its CEDAW shadow report, with particular attention to the challenges faced by women in Indramayu.

The discussion featured contributions from Komnas Perempuan Chairperson Maria Ulfah Anshor and Commissioners Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak and Rr. Sri Agustini, alongside representatives of two local partner organizations, the Selendang Puan Dharma Ayu Foundation and the Kusuma Bongas Foundation. Both organizations have been actively involved in providing support services and advocating for the rights of women and other vulnerable groups in Indramayu. The forum brought together a diverse range of participants, including women's rights activists, survivor advocates, service providers, educators, community representatives, and survivors of violence.

The discussion was guided by Komnas Perempuan's monitoring instrument, which is designed to examine women's lived experiences and the multiple forms of vulnerability they encounter across different stages and dimensions of life. It focused on three key themes. The first, Women's Life Choices, explored how vulnerabilities emerge and evolve throughout women's lives, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and old age. The second, Local Economies and Women, examined local economic structures and women's roles and positions within them, including their access to resources, employment opportunities, and decent livelihoods. The third, The State, Protection, and Participation, assessed the State's responsibility to protect women's rights and the extent to which women's voices, experiences, and perspectives are reflected in decision-making processes.

The discussion highlighted several pressing issues affecting women in Indramayu Regency. Participants raised concerns about the prevalence of violence against women, vulnerability to human trafficking, the persistence of child marriage, the multiple risks faced by women migrant workers, and inequalities in access to economic resources and essential services. These concerns point to broader structural challenges that require sustained attention and coordinated responses from the State and other relevant stakeholders.

The findings will contribute to Komnas Perempuan's preparation of its CEDAW shadow report and inform ongoing policy advocacy aimed at addressing structural discrimination, strengthening protection mechanisms, and advancing the full and equitable realization of women's rights.

Komnas Perempuan was represented at the discussion by Commissioners Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak and Rr. Sri Agustini, along with staff members from the International Advocacy Division.