RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Gender inequality in Indonesia remains high, affecting women’s access to education, healthcare, and participation in the national economy.

Deputy for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Amurwani Dwi Lestariningsih, said Indonesia’s gender inequality index declined in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, she noted the decrease was not significant, as the gap between women and men remains wide.

“In 2024, Indonesia’s gender inequality index stood at 0.421. In 2025, it fell to 0.402,” Amurwani said during an interactive dialogue with RRI’s Pro3 on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

She explained that the figure shows women continue to face barriers in national development. “This gap indicates that women still lack easy access to education, healthcare, and empowerment,” she said.

Amurwani added that gender inequality also affects Indonesia’s gender development index, which in 2025 was recorded at 92.69 percent. She said this achievement shows women’s development is approaching men's, but inequalities remain that the government must address.

“We hope women can contribute to leadership roles as decision-makers,” she said. “This way, women’s basic needs can be better represented in national development policies.”

She emphasized that women must have equal access to education, healthcare, and the national economy. The government, she added, continues to promote more inclusive and gender-equitable development policies. (Misni Parjiati)