RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Lestari Moerdijat, has called for stronger recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women, stressing their crucial role in addressing global crises.

“The knowledge of indigenous women is often overlooked, even though they are at the forefront of facing climate and food crises,” Lestari said on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Her statement coincided with the Day of the Awakening of Indigenous Women of the Archipelago.

The commemoration highlights the vital role of indigenous women in protecting the environment and ensuring food sustainability. The day traces its roots to the founding of the Indigenous Women’s Alliance of the Archipelago (PEREMPUAN AMAN) in Tobelo, North Halmahera, in 2012.

According to PEREMPUAN AMAN, Indonesia’s indigenous population is estimated at 70 million. Their mapped customary territories cover 33.6 million hectares, but around 8.5 million hectares overlap with forest and mining concessions, creating significant conflicts.

Lestari argued that recognizing indigenous rights is a strategic step toward national development, especially for women, who play a central role in maintaining ecosystems and ensuring food security. She pointed to the Indigenous Peoples Bill, which has been debated for 16 years without resolution.

“The state must be present. This is a constitutional mandate. This year must be a year of recognition, not waiting,” she said, urging immediate legal protection for indigenous communities.

She warned that without recognition, Indonesia risks losing local solutions to global challenges. Traditional knowledge, she emphasized, is essential for tackling climate change. “Indigenous women have had solutions for a long time. Now is the time for the state to listen and acknowledge them,” she added. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)