TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Women's Alliance of Indonesia will stage a demonstration in front of the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, June 18, 2026, with dozens of women's organizations expected to join the protest.
Alliance representative Mutiara Ika Pratiwi said the action will involve at least 90 women's groups that are part of the coalition. She added that organizers are still consolidating participants, but estimated that more than 100 women from various economic backgrounds and professions would take part.
"This shows that the Women's Alliance of Indonesia's action reflects public concerns over the economic and political crises currently affecting the country," Mutiara said during a press conference at the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Jakarta office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The demonstration will begin with a march from the Dukuh Atas area in Central Jakarta to the State Palace on Jalan Merdeka. Participants plan to bring kitchen utensils and wear light pink clothing as symbols of the struggles faced by households in meeting daily needs.
Three Main Demands
The alliance will bring three key demands to the administration of President Prabowo Subianto: reducing fuel prices, suspending the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, and creating more job opportunities.
Mutiara, who also chairs the National Women's Union Mahardhika, said most participants are working women who represent growing frustration over government policies they consider harmful to ordinary citizens.
She argued that rising fuel prices have contributed to higher prices of basic necessities, placing additional pressure on low-wage workers, particularly women who work long hours.
The alliance also criticized the impact of economic pressures on middle-class households, saying many families have been forced to cut expenses, including reducing their reliance on domestic workers.
"This has resulted in many women working as domestic helpers losing their jobs because families can no longer afford to employ them as their financial burdens increase," Mutiara said.
Criticism Over MBG and Labor Policies
The alliance also plans to demand accountability from Prabowo over his campaign promises regarding labor issues.
According to Mutiara, government initiatives such as the Task Force for Mitigating Layoffs and Improving Workers' Welfare have yet to show significant progress. She also said promises to eliminate outsourced labor systems and provide social assistance for workers have not been realized.
"Prabowo did not allocate significant resources to guarantee workers' rights and ensure social welfare," she said.
Instead, Mutiara criticized the government for prioritizing programs she described as benefiting political interests, including the MBG program and the Red and White Village Cooperative initiative.
The Women's Alliance of Indonesia is also calling on members of the public who share similar concerns to join the demonstration. Organizers hope the government will respond to their demands seriously and openly.
"We also hope there will be no obstruction from authorities, as happened during previous student demonstrations," Mutiara said.
Read: Why Can't Prabowo's MBG Program Be Halted, According to the Palace?
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