Komnas Perempuan Holds Dialogue with Women Fishers and Survivors of Violence in Coastal Communities

Indramayu, West Java, 24 April 2026 — The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) held a dialogue with women fishers and survivors of violence in coastal communities in Indramayu, West Java. The dialogue aimed to gain firsthand insights into women's lived experiences, challenges, and needs, particularly those of women engaged in small-scale fisheries and survivors of violence.

Throughout the consultations, Komnas Perempuan was accompanied by the Selendang Puan Foundation, a local civil society organization actively involved in supporting survivors of violence and assisting coastal communities.

The dialogue revealed significant gaps in access to government assistance and social protection for small-scale fishing communities. Several women reported that fishing families without connections to boat owners, access to larger fishing vessels, or official fisher identification cards often struggle to obtain government assistance. These barriers contribute to persistent poverty among small-scale fishers and their families while further limiting their access to social protection programmes.

Participants also highlighted economic inequalities within the fisheries sector, where a substantial portion of small-scale fishers' earnings is used to cover payments to boat owners, capital providers, and other operational expenses. As a result, fishing families are often left with insufficient income to meet their basic needs. Under these circumstances, women shoulder additional responsibilities for sustaining household livelihoods, including seeking alternative sources of income, often without adequate labour and social protection.

Beyond economic challenges, Komnas Perempuan documented accounts of discrimination and stigma experienced by women fishers and low-income coastal families when accessing public services. These barriers further undermine women's access to essential services, social protection, and the full enjoyment of their rights.

The findings highlight how the vulnerabilities faced by women fishers in Indramayu's coastal communities are closely linked to broader structural inequalities, including poverty, unequal access to government assistance and public services, and the limited recognition of women's contributions to the fisheries sector. These intersecting challenges affect the well-being of women and their families while increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and gender-based violence.

The findings will inform Komnas Perempuan's ongoing monitoring and advocacy efforts, particularly in addressing the rights and protection needs of women in coastal communities whose experiences and concerns have often been overlooked in public policy and institutional responses.

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