Modern-Day Srikandi of National Health Insurance: National Reflection and Workshop on Perempuan Kawal JKN Program

Event Report

Dippo Alam Satrio – May 13, 2025

English version by Salman Reynaldi

Jakarta, May 14, 2025 – The AKATIGA Center for Social Analysis, in collaboration with Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), convened a National Reflection and Workshop on “Women’s Voices in the Monitoring and Improvement of Indonesia’s Universal Health Care Insurance Services: JKN Program,” better known as Perempuan Kawal JKN Program. This program is supported by the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) of the World Bank, the three-day event was held from May 12–14, 2025, at Novotel Cikini, Central Jakarta. The workshop aimed to reflect on four years of fieldwork carried out by Fatayat community health workers, assess the implementation of the JKN monitoring initiative, engage in dialogue with stakeholders at both regional and national levels, and develop strategies to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.

The three-day event was thoughtfully organized, with the first two days focused on reflective sessions involving community health worker teams who have played a key role in monitoring the implementation of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program. The third day featured fruitful dialogues with regional and national stakeholders, the official launch of a publication, and the signing of a collaboration agreement with Kitabisa. Participants included community health worker teams from eight program areas—Kediri Regency, Blitar Regency, Pati Regency, Tegal Regency, Jambi City, Muaro Jambi Regency, Ternate City and Bandung Regency. Representatives from the Fatayat Central Leadership and the Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) were in attendance during the first two days. The final day brought together a wide range of regional and national stakeholders, including representatives from BPJS Kesehatan Muaro Jambi, the Health Office of Kediri Regency, the Central BPJS Kesehatan, and the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection.

The National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional or JKN) is a policy initiative by the Indonesian government aimed at ensuring protection and social security for all citizens in meeting their basic healthcare needs. This policy is part of the broader goal to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which ensures equitable access to quality health services for every citizen while also providing financial protection against the costs of healthcare. Within the framework of the JKN, there is a specific scheme known as the Contribution Assistance Recipient (Penerima Bantuan Iuran or PBI), which provides subsidized health insurance coverage funded through the national (APBN) and regional (APBD) budgets for eligible low-income individuals and vulnerable populations.

Despite ongoing efforts to modernize and digitalize health services, significant challenges remain particularly for vulnerable groups. Many individuals are still unaware of their status as Contribution Assistance Recipients (PBI), and those with complex health conditions often face additional barriers, especially if related to the inferior feeling of the most vulnerable groups, making the healthcare system less accessible, or even inaccessible, to those who need it most. In response to these gaps, Perempuan Kawal JKN—an initiative led by young women through Fatayat NU in collaboration with AKATIGA—was established to provide targeted support. The initiative focuses on community outreach through assistance, awareness campaigns, education and advocacy, aiming to ensure equitable access to healthcare in line with JKN standards. The team’s tireless efforts and impactful work in the field are documented in the book “Kisah Kader Perempuan Kawal JKN”, which captures their dedication and the complex realities they face on the ground.

The focus on women, particularly young women, as key actors engaging at the grassroots level to connect vulnerable populations with the healthcare system has drawn positive attention. The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifatul “Arifah” Fauzi, praised the Perempuan Kawal JKN program, stating that it plays a crucial role in ensuring that the services provided under JKN are truly inclusive, fair and equitable, especially for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

“We believe that sustainable development is only possible when women are empowered to actively participate and contribute as part of the solution,” said Minister Arifah.

She emphasized that the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection will continue to be committed to supporting initiatives that encourage meaningful participation of women in ensuring their access to quality health services.

A similar view was expressed by Annisa Nur Cahya, a representative from the Central BPJS Kesehatan, who acknowledged that Perempuan Kawal JKN has played a significant role in supporting the implementation of JKN by helping ensure that all individuals have access to it as an essential social safety net. She also noted that the initiative aligns well with the PESIAR program—PESIAR (Pendataan, Penyisiran, Advokasi, dan Registrasi), which translates to Data Collection, Outreach, Advocacy, and Registration—and opens opportunities for the Perempuan Kawal JKN team to collaborate within this broader framework.

“This program cannot stand alone—it requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, including ministries, institutions, and relevant agencies. In this regard, we are sincerely grateful for the Fatayat community health workers whose contributions have been vital in the successful implementation of the program and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” she remarked.

Beyond reflection and experience-sharing, this event encouraged the desire for sustainable implementation of the program across various program areas. This desire was discussed on the second day and further deepened through stakeholders, at both regional and national levels, dialogue on the final day. The dialogue revealed that each region recognized the program’s value in benefiting local communities and expressed efforts to integrate its principles into Fatayat as a faith-based organization. A concrete step toward ensuring sustainability is reflected in the signing of a Head of Agreement (HoA) with Kitabisa, aimed at raising public funds to support the Perempuan Kawal JKN initiative.

The entire event emphasized the importance of safeguarding the National Health Insurance (JKN) program to ensure that it is truly inclusive and reaches vulnerable populations. Most of the cases encountered by the Perempuan Kawal JKN team were closely tied to administrative issues that hinder access to JKN services. This, combined with limited access to information, has left many people unable to claim their right to social protection. In response, the Perempuan Kawal JKN program empowers young grassroots women to provide assistance and act as intermediaries for those who are unheard for ensuring that vulnerable populations can access adequate healthcare services.

Access “Kisah Kader Perempuan Kawal JKN” book here.