Jakarta, 28 November 2025 — To support the government in accelerating concrete protection measures for women defenders of human rights and environmental issues, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) co-hosted a National Policy Dialogue titled “We All Have a Role: Strengthen Holistic Protection, Create Safe Spaces for Women Human Rights Defenders” (Kita Punya Andil: Perkuat Perlindungan Holistik, Wujudkan Ruang Aman bagi Perempuan Pembela HAM).

Across Indonesia, women defending forests, land, and community rights are increasingly targeted for speaking out. Many face intimidation, criminalization, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence simply for protecting community and the environment. Yet their role is indispensable: they are the first to respond to environmental damage, the first to safeguard community wellbeing, and often the last line of defense for ecosystems under threat.

Attended by more than 100 participants, the dialogue served as the culmination of a four-day campaign commemorating both the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders, which falls every 29 November, and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from 25 November to 10 December. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, media, and, most critically, grassroots women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) from Aceh to Papua. The discussion highlighted systemic barriers that continue to undermine their safety: limited legal protection, lack of rapid response mechanisms, and persistent discrimination within both state and community structures.

“When we protect women defenders, we protect democracy itself,” said Maria Ulfah Anshor, Chair of Plenary Commission of Komnas Perempuan. “The multi-sectoral commitment to holistic protection, encompassing legal, digital, physical, and psychosocial dimensions, is a testament to our shared belief that every woman has the right to defend human rights, land, and justice in safety and dignity. Together, we are building a protection ecosystem that is not only responsive but innovative and transformative in realizing a democracy that is fair, equal, inclusive and environmentally friendly,” she added.

Government representatives from key institutions, including the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, and the National Police Agency reaffirmed their commitment to closing these protection gaps and acknowledged the increasingly complex risks faced by women defenders.

“When we protect women defenders, we protect the forests they fight for, the communities they uplift, the rights they champion, and the future we all share,” said Siprianus Bate Soro, Head of Risk, Resilience and Governance Unit UNDP Indonesia. “At UNDP, we believe that protecting women defenders is not only about safeguarding individuals; it is about safeguarding Indonesia’s democratic space, environmental future, and human rights. We remain committed to supporting national efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and environments where women can lead, participate, and defend rights safely.”

Women defenders working on environmental advocacy, gender-based violence response, press freedom, and socio-economic rights shared powerful testimonies. Despite working in different sectors, their experiences revealed a common reality: threats are interconnected, and protection cannot be addressed in isolation. They called for legal recognition of women defenders, accessible emergency support systems, and policy processes that genuinely listen to and reflect their lived realities.

The event is part of UNDP’s global project, “Strengthening Women’s Civil Society and Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders’ Participation and Influence for a Just, Green Future,” supported by the Governments of Denmark, Luxembourg and the Republic of Korea via Funding Window for Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis, and Resilience (GPCR). The initiative aims to strengthen WEHRDs’ capacity, agency, and collective voice while creating supportive environments for their advocacy work at local, national, and global levels.

As Indonesia continues to navigate the dual challenges of environmental degradation and shrinking civic space, today’s dialogue signals a growing national consensus: protecting women defenders is not optional, it is foundational to a just, green, and inclusive future.