Jakarta, 24 July 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia officially launched a new project titled “Strengthening Women’s Civil Society and Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders' Public Participation and Influence for a Just, Green Future” with a multi-stakeholder meeting held in Jakarta. Supported by the UNDP Funding Window for Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis, and Resilience (GPCR), the project is implemented in five countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Iraq, Uganda, and Kenya. In Indonesia, the project runs from May 2025 to June 2026 under the Risk, Resilience, and Governance Unit of UNDP Indonesia.

The project aims to foster inclusive, democratic, and sustainable environmental governance by empowering women’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRDs). These actors contribute significantly to advancing gender equality, environmental justice, and human rights. However, many face challenges such as limited access to resources, legal pressures, online risks and social barriers, particularly those working in remote areas.  

In his opening remarks, Mr. Siprianus Bate Soro, Team Leader of the Risk, Resilience and Governance Unit of UNDP Indonesia emphasized the importance of collective action in advancing gender equality and environmental justice. “We are proud to support this initiative in close collaboration with our government and civil society partners. At UNDP, we recognize that women civil society actors and environmental defenders play a vital role in shaping a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future. Through this project, we aim to expand civic space, strengthen protection mechanisms, and ensure that WEHRDs can safely and meaningfully participate in public life and policymaking,” he said.

The event presented the project’s objectives and workplan to around 40 key stakeholders, fostering shared understanding, clarifying roles, and aligning efforts with national and global priorities. Participants included representatives from key government institutions and leading civil society organizations focused on gender and environmental issues.

Key discussions during the kick-off meeting addressed risk management for Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRDs), emphasizing the need for strengthened security protocols and a rapid response mechanism, reinforcing a shared commitment to a safer, more inclusive civic space.

Emphasizing the need for stronger institutional frameworks, Ms. Sofia Alatas, Director of Human Rights Instruments Development and Evaluation at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, highlighted the importance of formalizing protection measures for human rights defenders. “The Ministry of Human Rights is committed to providing legal safeguards for all defenders, particularly women. We appreciate UNDP’s support in the development of the forthcoming Ministerial Decree on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, which reflects both national priorities and civil society’s long-standing demands,” she said.  

During the session, UNDP and the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women (NCVAW/Komnas Perempuan) outlined the upcoming adoption of the eMonitor+ tool, a UNDP’s AI-supported digital platform to monitor online violence against WEHRDs. Ms. Maria Ulfah Anshor, Chair of the Plenary Commission of NCVAW, expressed the Commission’s commitment in these initiatives. “Our role is to ensure that women defenders are not only protected but also have access to justice and have their rights fulfilled comprehensively, as well as being recognized for their critical contributions to democracy and environmental justice. This partnership allows us to improve our protection mechanisms, including revitalizing the Rapid Response Mechanism, refining the Security Protection Manual for WEHRDs in Indonesia, and adopting the monitoring digital tools like eMonitor+,” she said.  

The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs also reaffirmed its commitment to revitalizing the National Violence Monitoring System (SNPK), an important database that will support evidence-based policymaking to prevent and respond to violence against women CSOs and WEHRDs. “Through the revitalization of SNPK, we aim to ensure that data on social conflict, including violence against women defenders, is systematically documented and utilised  to inform policies that promote protection and prevention,” said Mr. Andre Notohamijoyo, Acting Assistant Deputy for Post-Conflict Social Handling of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs.

By strengthening the protection and participation of Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders, the project not only addresses immediate risks faced by women advocates but also contributes to long-term systemic change. It reinforces Indonesia’s commitment to inclusive governance, gender-responsive environmental policies, and human rights protection as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—while aligning with the country’s strategic vision for Golden Indonesia 2045, which envisions a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.  

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Media Contact:  

Nabilla Rahmani, Head of Communications, UNDP Indonesia  

nabilla.rahmani@undp.org

About UNDP:

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.