Jayapura, Jubi – Representatives of Papuan women have called for resistance against oppression and National Strategic Projects (PSN) across Papua. The call was made during a free speech forum organized by the Save the Homeland Alliance (SETARA).

The rally, which opposed large-scale investment expansion, militarization, and the exploitation of Papua’s natural resources, was held in the Abepura Circle area of Jayapura City, Papua, on Friday (29/5/2026).

Papuan women’s activist Kamila Yawalka called for resistance to oppression and various national strategic projects that she said have taken away the living spaces of Indigenous Papuan communities.

She urged the Indonesian government to take responsibility for the appropriation of approximately 2.5 million hectares of land in Papua.

Yawalka questioned who the development projects in Papua were truly intended for, saying that Indigenous Papuans continue to face various hardships, especially women and children.

“Who are these land seizures and evictions really for? What kind of life are they trying to build, while Papuans themselves continue to live in hardship, especially us women,” Kamila Yawalka said.

According to her, since the 1990s, Papuan women and children have been among the groups most affected by state projects and armed conflict in Papua. She said projects carried out in Papua have yet to provide tangible benefits to Indigenous communities.

She also highlighted unresolved humanitarian cases in several areas of Papua, including Dogiyai and Puncak regencies in Central Papua, while natural resources continue to be taken away.

Yawalka said ongoing violence has further worsened the lives of communities, particularly women. She therefore encouraged Papuan women to continue speaking out against the injustice and oppression experienced by Indigenous Papuans.

“Papuan women have great strength to fight against injustice,” she said.

She added that communities could make use of technological developments and social media platforms to raise awareness about issues occurring in Papua.

According to her, social media can serve as an alternative space for sharing information and expressing aspirations when people are unable to physically attend demonstrations.

Yawalka called on Papuan women who are aware of the ongoing oppression to rise against systems that demean and colonize Papuan women and children.

“Even though the challenges we face are enormous, we must continue to speak out and stand together,” she said.

A representative of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Vero Hubi, stated that KNPB supports the movement rejecting National Strategic Projects and militarism in Papua.

“We support the alliance rejecting investment projects in the form of National Strategic Projects in South Papua and throughout the Papua,” Vero Hubi said.

She also expressed support for Indigenous communities across Papua facing pressure from large-scale investment and development projects.

“We call on all Papuan people to strengthen consolidation and unity in voicing the aspirations of Indigenous Papuan communities,” she said. (*)