Epi Susanti, Jakarta – Hundreds of women activists, workers, and members of civil society groups rallied near Indonesia's Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday, June 18, 2026, calling on the government to address rising living costs, create decent jobs, and review its flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
The demonstration was organized by the Indonesian Women's Alliance and began with participants gathering near Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta before marching toward the State Palace.
Many protesters wore pink clothing and house dresses as a symbol of women's solidarity. They carried kitchen utensils, banners, and posters highlighting concerns over soaring food prices, employment opportunities, and the impact of government policies on working-class families.
One demonstrator, identified as Fanda, said she took leave from work to participate in the protest because she believed the issues being raised directly affected ordinary Indonesians.
"I deliberately took time off because I felt the need to take these concerns to the streets," she said.
According to Fanda, rising living costs have become a burden felt across society, including by workers in the informal sector.
"Even taking a motorcycle taxi ride feels more expensive. Drivers feel it, passengers feel it. These are issues that affect our daily lives," she said.
The protesters demanded lower prices for basic necessities, greater access to decent employment, and a comprehensive evaluation of the government's MBG program, one of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship social initiatives.
Mutiara Ika Pratiwi, a representative of the Indonesian Women's Alliance, said the demonstration reflected growing frustration among women over what they see as policies that have increased economic pressures on households.
She argued that rising fuel prices have contributed to higher costs for food and other essential goods, disproportionately affecting low-income women and workers.
"The increase in fuel prices has pushed up the cost of living and made life harder for women, especially laborers who work long hours for low wages," Mutiara said.
She also claimed that economic pressures on middle-class households have reduced demand for domestic workers, resulting in job losses for many women employed in the sector.
"Many domestic workers have lost their jobs because households are facing greater financial burdens and can no longer afford to employ them," she said.
The rally was ongoing as protesters marched toward the Presidential Palace to deliver their demands to the government.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2109098/hundreds-of-women-rally-in-jakarta-today-against-free-meals-progra