Women, girls and militarism in West Papua

This International Women’s Day 2026, listen to a message about women and children who continue to face militarization, violence, and the loss of their ancestral lands.

Women must live without fear, Indigenous youth must be protected and the land of Papua must be respected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVvmWfBLYl4

I am Angganita Kamarace, a member of the FNMPP Presidium and Director for Women and Children, representing Indigenous Papuan women and youth.

We firmly reject the presence of the military in the land of Papua, as well as any form of deployment or increase of military forces in Papua. The presence of the military does not guarantee a safe life for Indigenous women and youth.

When Indigenous youth raise their voices, they are always treated as criminals, and confronted with the barrel of a gun.

Militarism does not protect the Indigenous Peoples of Papua. Instead, it projects National Strategic Projects (PSN), investments, capitalism, imperialism, and strengthens colonialism in the land of Papua.

The military has also committed various crimes against humanity, such as killings, kidnappings, rape, beatings, and involvement in the seizure of the Indigenous Peoples' right to live. Therefore, we firmly reject the presence of military forces in the land of Papua.

Withdraw all military troops, both organic and non-organic.

We also reject military development and expansion in Papua.

Papua Merdeka! Free West Papua!