Indonesian Women's Protests Intensify Amid Political Unrest

Sat Sep 13 2025 06:42:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Hundreds of women don pink attire and wield brooms in Jakarta as public anger grows over police violence and government spending.

In Jakarta, hundreds of women protested against police abuses and excessive government spending, motivated by recent violent incidents, including the death of a young motorcycle taxi driver. As protests continue into their second week, President Prabowo Subianto publicly addressed some concerns but still faced criticism over the need for deeper reforms to address citizens' demands for better governance.

Hundreds of women wearing pink and wielding broomsticks marched to parliament in Indonesia's capital on Wednesday to protest against police abuses and wasteful government spending.

Protests in Jakarta and other key cities have stretched into their second week, fueled by anger over cost of living issues and lavish perks for MPs.

The protests turned violent when a young motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed after being run over by a police vehicle.

As protests intensified, President Prabowo Subianto announced he would cancel a trip to Beijing to attend China's massive military parade, but pictures showed him alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin during the event.

Before his trip, Prabowo indicated plans to reduce lawmakers' perks, a core complaint of the protesters.

During Wednesday's rally, the Indonesian Women's Alliance (IWA) representatives, dressed in pink and carrying brooms, symbolized their desire to 'sweep away the dirt of the state, militarism, and police repression'. Protesters chanted calls for police reform, asserting that 'protests are not crimes' but rather a fundamental democratic right.

The IWA consists of 90 women's organizations, having a historical context of opposing authoritarian regimes in Indonesia. The movement echoes past protests which led to significant political reforms.

Online, the colors represent 'hero green' and 'brave pink', with many customizing profile pictures to support the movement.

International organizations, including the United Nations, have urged for thorough investigations into human rights violations connected with the protests, as at least ten people reportedly died during recent demonstrations.

The current unrest stems from broader issues related to governance and socioeconomic inequality, demanding reforms that directly impact ordinary citizens.