Bridging the Gender Gap in Maluku: The Case for a Regional Action Plan on Gender Equality

Indonesia’s National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029, enacted through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 12 of 2025, sets clear goals and indicators for achieving national priorities in gender equality. Achieving these targets requires sustained efforts at the subnational level, both to support the national agenda on gender equality and to strengthen governance and institutionalization for implementation. This includes better understanding of gender disparities through gender mainstreaming efforts. Additionally, Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) No. 67 of 2011 on General Guidelines for the Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming in the Regions mandates local governments to develop gender-responsive policies, programs, and activities, reflected in their planning documents. This policy brief highlights key challenges in advancing the gender equality agenda, including limited familiarity with gender mainstreaming among work units, low implementation capacity, and frequent staff rotations. To address these challenges, the brief recommends the revitalization of the Gender Mainstreaming Working Group, strengthening the regional Satu Data forum, and initiating the development of a Regional Action Plan for the Development of Gender Equality.