This research aims to identify the gaps between the Indonesian government’s policies targeting young women and the realities of young women’s lives in remote island regions in accessing basic services. To examine these gaps, the study is divided into two stages.

First, we identify and explore the position, direction, and priorities of policies in Indonesia for young people. This includes regulations and policy guidelines that are either directly targeted at young women or indirectly impact their lives.

Second, we conduct field research in island regions to understand the real-life situations of young women in accessing basic services such as education, healthcare, employment opportunities, digital skills, and leadership.

The key concepts used in this research include life course analysis, which examines the life trajectories of young women in island communities by highlighting significant milestones, choices, and the social, cultural, and economic influences shaping their lives. Additionally, a gender perspective is applied to understand the social structures affecting young women’s access to basic services, while the concept of agency is used to explore their strategies and capacities to expand their life choices and make decisions.

This study employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The research was conducted in four villages in Pangkajene and Kepulauan (South Sulawesi) and Morotai Island (North Maluku). Data was collected through document analysis of government regulations and policy guidelines, interviews with key informants from national to village-level governments, non-governmental actors focused on women’s empowerment, young women, young men, and parents. Additionally, we observed the daily lives of young women in the research areas and conducted a survey on their use of digital media. The study also engaged several young women from island villages in different stages, from providing input on study design and conducting field data collection to analyzing findings.

Although this study does not aim to represent the majority of young women in remote island regions or evaluate the effectiveness of basic services, it offers special attention to the voices and experiences of various categories of young women in these regions—voices that have often been overlooked in research. By considering the unique challenges faced by young women living in geographically and socially constrained environments, this study highlights how they demonstrate agency despite structural limitations. They develop strategies to make the most of limited resources to expand their life choices.

Thus, this research aims to contribute to discussions on the often-marginalized experiences of young women in remote island communities, ensuring that their voices are heard in national development discourses.