Indonesia has prioritised gender mainstreaming (Pengarusutamaan Gender or PUG) with the issuance of Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000 on Gender Mainstreaming in Regional Development. In Maluku, technical regulations, such as the Governor’s Decree No. 200 of 2019, established the Gender Mainstreaming Working Group.
Recognizing the need for dedicated regulations, the Maluku Provincial Government began drafting a Provincial Regulation on Gender Mainstreaming (Perda PUG) in 2021. SKALA supported this effort through technical inputs in partnership with the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) to create a foundation for gender-responsive planning in Maluku.

The Provincial Government of North Kalimantan is committed to improving accessibility and inclusive services for vulnerable groups through a pioneering tax relief initiative for disability-modified vehicles, that is, vehicles designed for people with disabilities.
This effort is anchored by Provincial Regulation (Perda) No. 1 of 2024 and Governor Regulation (Pergub) No. 25 of 2024, which provides implementing guidelines. Through this regulation, the Accessibility and Tax Discount System for People with Disabilities in Bumi Benuanta (SADAR Benuanta) was developed and marks a key step toward greater inclusivity in North Kalimantan.

Down Syndrome, an intellectual disability, is often misunderstood, leading many to see people with the condition as unable to contribute meaningfully. However, with greater awareness, we can break these stigmas and recognise the unique talents and creativity of people with Down Syndrome. In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, SKALA organised a knowledge-sharing session on “The Potential for Independence and Inspiration” to challenge these misconceptions.

To address challenges related to fragmented data systems, the Aceh government has established platforms such as the Village Information System (SIGAP) and the Aceh Open Data Portal. In collaboration with SKALA, the provincial government is strengthening its data infrastructure so that evidence to plan, budget, provide, and monitor basic services is available, accurate and accessible.

On October 10, 2024, Gita Kamath, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, visited the Aceh Communication, Informatics, and Cryptography Service (Diskominsa).

Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) is an important tool to ensure that government policies and financial decisions promote gender equality. It integrates gender considerations into all stages of budgeting and addresses disparities between men and women by ensuring that public resources are allocated in a fair and equitable way. In Indonesia, both central and regional governments are working to enhance gender mainstreaming in their budgeting processes.

SKALA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance’s Directorate General of Fiscal Balance (DJPK), is contributing to this effort.

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) on Population Ageing in Bali, held from 11 to 13 September, brought together about 500 delegates from 38 countries. The conference explored the theme of Reframing Ageing and foster dialogue on strategies that prioritize fairness and equity for present and future older generations.

In the last decade, the government of Indonesia has enacted Law No. 8/2016 on People with Disabilities and government regulation No. 70/2019 on the Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of the Respect, Protection, and Fulfilment of the Rights of People with Disabilities. To operationalize these, the central government established the National Action Plan on People with Disabilities (RAN PD) while local governments were asked to formulate regional action plans (RAD PD).

In the heart of Papua, local leaders like Sella are making a positive difference for their communities. Her story is one of dedication and a profound connection to her land and people. Sella’s journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a driver of development highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives in sustainable and inclusive progress.