Breaking the Silence, Reclaiming Space: GEDSI Alumni Network Drives Collective Action for Human Rights and Inclusion

A network of Australian alumni working to advance Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) priorities has hosted an online panel discussion to explore ways to dismantle structural barriers to human rights and inclusion.

Titled ‘Breaking the Silence, Reclaiming Space: Confronting Structural Challenges in Fulfilling Human Rights for All,’ the event on 12 December 2025 brought together voices from GEDSI practitioners, advocates and alumni committed to advancing human rights and inclusion across Indonesia.

For this event, the GEDSI Alumni Network collaborated with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Sinergi dan Kolaborasi untuk Akselerasi Layanan Dasar (SKALA) program, the PEKKA (Pemberdayaan Perempuan Kepala Keluarga) Foundation, and three Indonesian commissions: the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the National Commission on Disability.

Opening the discussion, Anis Hidayah, Chairwoman of Komnas HAM, emphasised that human rights advocacy, including efforts to promote inclusivity, requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the strategic role of the Australian GEDSI Alumni Network.

‘We hope the event can start a broader movement across Indonesia, and not just within the network,’ Anis remarked.

Amplifying Grassroots Voices

In her keynote speech, Anis highlighted some discouraging trends in democracy and human rights in Indonesia.

These included regulations that undermine human rights protections, the stalled resolution of gross human rights violations due to interference in the judicial system and a lack of meaningful public participation in the legislative process.

Amid this environment, Anis encouraged Australian alumni to drive change by reclaiming digital spaces for advocacy, monitoring legislation, strengthening legal processes and promoting state accountability.

‘We hope Australian alumni can connect grassroots voices with stakeholders and policymakers. In addition, they can restore the public’s checks and balance’s function and eventually spark a broader movement across Indonesia,’ she remarked.

Anis’s statement set the tone for the panel discussion, which was also held to observe the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, International Human Rights Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Fitria Villa Sahara, PEKKA Foundation’s Senior Adviser, said the discussion explored the sources of structural injustice, meaningful participation and inclusive leadership, linked these to GEDSI principles.

‘The discussion also covered how structural reforms will remain ineffective unless they are supported by inclusive movements rooted in the lived experiences and participation of affected communities,’ Villa explained. ‘It underscored the non-negotiable responsibility of the state to ensure accountability in fulfilling human rights, especially for women, girls and marginalised communities.’

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Lia Marpaung, GEDSI Adviser at Australia Awards in Indonesia (AAI), said the participation of three national commissions marked an important milestone for the network, which was formed in late 2024.

Traditionally, the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, International Human Rights Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities focused only on their respective issues, Lia said. However, the international days shared a common theme: the advancement and protection of human rights.

‘The discussion was not only about women, but also about women with disabilities, women with customary rights and other human rights issues. By bringing together the three commissions, human rights became a mainstream concern and discussion on human development, rather than a compartmentalised one,’ Lia remarked.

Villa of PEKKA Foundation said the event demonstrated the importance of collaboration between representatives of the three national commissions and advocates from non-government organisations.

‘The commissions play a crucial role not only in influencing government programs and budgets, but in strengthening the state’s internal capacity to fulfil its human rights obligations through policy,’ she said.

Addressing Structural Challenges

During the half-day interactive discussion, speakers shared insights on structural challenges hampering the advancement of human rights in Indonesia. All speakers observed that limited understanding and everyday application of GEDSI principles had allowed policies, regulations, and cultural practices that undermined human rights protection to persist.

Dwi Ayu Kartika Sari, Komnas Perempuan’s Secretary General, noted progress in regulations to protect women from violence, citing the long-awaited Sexual Violence Crime Law passed in 2022. However, cases of violence against women continued to rise, while new and more complex forms of abuse, such as online violence, were emerging.

She added that law enforcement had not consistently sided with victims of gender-based violence, creating gaps in human rights protection.

‘Komnas Perempuan and other organisations dealing with gender-based violence are struggling to address the rising number of cases. This is because victims feel their cases are not being processed by the institutions that should handle them,’ Dwi explained.

Barriers to Disability Rights

Dante Rigmalia, Chairwoman of Komnas Disabilitas, said that the principles of respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities, as set out in Law No. 8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities, had not been clearly and firmly reflected in Indonesia’s general regulations.

She said this had broad implications. For example, the absence of an affirmative quota in the House of Representatives meant there were limited opportunities for persons with disabilities to become lawmakers.

This weakened the protection of disability rights in policy, which Dante described as a key structural challenge in advancing disability rights.

‘Persons with disabilities are left unrepresented and unable to voice their concerns without disability affirmative action,’ she said, adding that women’s leadership, including leadership by women with disabilities, needed to be strengthened.

On job access, she noted that civil servant recruitment policies only accommodated applicants with physical and sensory disabilities, while still sidelining persons with hidden disabilities, such as mental health and intellectual disabilities.

‘Stakeholders must have a comprehensive perspective and understanding of persons with disabilities who they are, what types of disabilities they have, and what their needs are,’ Dante said.

Turning Values into Action

To translate the insights from the discussion into action, a ‘Wall of Commitment’ was provided for participants to declare and share their commitments. Some of the testimonies included:

‘I’ll promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and social justice in classrooms and educational institutions. I’ll fight for equal access to education and leadership for girls and women. I’ll eradicate barriers to pursuing education opportunities and utilise my voice and resources to help marginalised students and educators achieve their potential.’ – Zulystiawati.

‘Collaboration should be the heart of the GEDSI movement,not merely being together, but moving forward for the better.’ – Giri Lumakto.

‘I want to create an inclusive digital space that accommodates the needs of all groups, including vulnerable ones.’ – Dita (SKALA).

‘I’ll actively get involved in the fight for justice and inclusive spaces for all, particularly vulnerable groups, starting in higher education.’ – Lanny Hartati.

Sustaining Forward Momentum

As the event ended, speakers and participants agreed to sustain momentum through continued collaboration, stronger advocacy and concrete follow-up actions to advance GEDSI and human rights in Indonesia.

Dwi of Komnas Perempuan suggested utilising digital spaces for public education to help shift public perspectives and mindsets.

‘Network members can use their resources to take campaigns against gender-based violence to social media, such as podcasts or Instagram, so the younger generation is better informed,’ Dwi said.

She also recommended that members join forces with artists and use films, exhibitions and music to raise awareness.

While commending the network’s consistent efforts to promote GEDSI principles through public discussions, Dante from Komnas Disabilitas underscored the importance of amplifying voices from diverse backgrounds.‘Persons with disabilities who have run in legislative elections, or those from indigenous communities, can offer valuable insights into the challenges they face. The network can also collaborate with similar movements abroad,’ Dante remarked.

With more than 700 members, the GEDSI Alumni Network will strive to bring together different perspectives to address structural barriers to human rights protection in Indonesia, said Lia of AAI.

‘We are trying to connect the pieces and ensure that our alumni, wherever they are and whatever work they do, can contribute to advancing justice, as well as promoting and safeguarding human rights,’ she concluded.