Women’s Commission Highlights Reproductive Rights Gaps

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) is urging the government to develop more equitable population policies that recognize women as subjects with full rights over their reproductive decisions, while also strengthening men’s roles in reproductive health and caregiving.

“We urge the government to end approaches that make women the primary targets of population control. It is crucial to strengthen men’s responsibilities in reproductive health, contraception, and caregiving,” said Komnas Perempuan member Irwan Setiawan in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The statement coincided with the commemoration of World Population Day 2026.

Komnas Perempuan noted that current population policies tend to treat women as objects of control, with demographic targets focusing on women’s bodies, wombs, and reproductive choices.

The burden of contraceptive use placed on women perpetuates the notion that reproduction is solely their responsibility.

“A just population policy is not one that controls women’s bodies, but one that ensures women can determine their own lives freely, safely, with dignity, and equally. Women should not be viewed as numbers,” said Komnas Perempuan member Chatarina Pancer Istiyani.

To achieve fairer policies, Komnas Perempuan called on the government to strengthen human rights and gender equality perspectives in population planning.

This includes integrating responses to gender-based violence into population policies, ending approaches that treat women as objects of control, and providing quality, affordable, consent-based sexual and reproductive health services.

The commission also urged accelerating efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates, particularly in disadvantaged areas, while increasing men’s involvement in reproductive and caregiving responsibilities. They further encouraged the development of gender-responsive economic, social, and care protection policies.

“A just population policy can only be realized if women are recognized as full subjects, not instruments of population control,” Chatarina said. ***