2) Papuan Women call for resistance against injustice
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https://jubi.id/pacnews/2026/government-targets-expansion-of-free-nutritious-meal-program-in-papua/
Jayapura, Jubi — The Indonesian government is seeking to expand the reach of its Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Papua, aiming to serve more communities across the region. The program currently operates at around 70 service points.
Ribka Haluk announced the plan during a presentation at the 2027 Regional Development Planning Forum (Musrenbang RKPD) and Papua Special Autonomy discussion, held virtually from Jakarta on Thursday (April 30, 2026).
“For Papua, it has reached around 70 locations providing free meals through several SPPG units,” Haluk said.
Despite the limited coverage, the government expects a significant increase in the near future, following discussions with the president.
“Hopefully, based on our meeting with the President, the number will reach more than one thousand,” she added.
The MBG program is regarded as a key initiative to improve child nutrition, particularly in areas with limited access to healthy food.
“We have reached several regions in Papua, and schoolchildren are already benefiting from the free nutritious meal program,” she said.
“Since the Governor is present, we need to continue pushing this forward—this is still only at 70 service points,” she said.
In addition to improving children’s health, the program is expected to support local economies through the procurement of food supplies from communities.
The government hopes stronger coordination between central and regional authorities will accelerate expansion, allowing the program to reach more beneficiaries across Papua. (*)
https://jubi.id/pacnews/2026/papuan-women-call-for-resistance-against-injustice/
2) Papuan Women call for resistance against injustice
IN PACNEWS READING TIME: 2 MINS READ MAY 1, 2026 0
Author : Aida Ulim
Editor : Nuevaterra Mambor
Jayapura, Jubi — Papuan women, united under the group Suara Perempuan Papua Bersatu (United Voice of Papuan Women), have called for resistance against injustice in the Land of Papua during a public forum titled “Women Rise Against Militarism and National Strategic Projects (PSN)” held in Abepura Circle, Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (April 30, 2026).
Field Coordinator Geofani Pogolamun emphasized that women must not remain silent but instead stand up and resist, as women are the givers of life.
“Today we see mothers crying because their children are being killed and subjected to injustice on this land,” Pogolamun said.
She stressed that women must have the courage to speak the truth, as the current situation cannot be allowed to continue. She called on the President and security forces to recognize and understand the difficult realities faced by Papuan women and communities.
“There must be no more violence against mothers and West Papuan people. Today we see women walking alone on the streets, facing unsafe conditions. This contradicts our cultural and spiritual values.”
She also questioned the future of the next generation if the children they bear become victims of violence.
Women’s rights activist Vero Hubi stated that speaking out against injustice is as powerful as weapons.
She added that incidents occurring in one part of Papua are a shared concern for all.
“Women in Puncak Jaya, communities displaced into the forest, and our brothers and sisters experiencing violence in various regions—these are all collective issues,” she said.
Hubi urged people not to be divided or easily provoked by divisive issues, warning that such tactics are used to weaken resistance.
According to her, state systems often shape individuals into tools that control the way Papuans think, behave, and live. She emphasized that it is a shared responsibility to resist this.Humans must not become instruments of colonization, power, or capitalism.
“Do not become robots without hearts. Even if we are educated or hold positions of power, without compassion, we lose our humanity.” she said.
She also highlighted how women are often objectified by systems through imposed beauty standards and commodification, which must be resisted. Papuan women, she said, should embrace their authentic identity.
“We also need to remember our land that is disappearing. We must return to protect our villages, because that is our last stronghold. If we do not protect it, where will our future generations live? We cannot rely on the state to provide us with a new place,” she concluded. (*)
For Papuans, sago is not just a stomach filler. It is the foundation of fair culture that blends with the history and identity of man on his land. However, the shadow of lifestyle changes is now fuelling concern: will sago be excluded from Papuan people's lives?
SBS Indonesian spoke with Dr. Aser Rouw, SP, M. Si, as Head of the Papua New Agricultural Modernization Implementation Hall (BRMP). He revealed a significant shrinkage in the natural sago population.
Based on indicative analysis data, the sago potential in Papua, which in the 1990s reached about 5.2 million tree trunks, has now decreased dramatically to only about 1.2 million trunks.
This phenomenon is also evident in Jayapura, where in the space of two years since 2018, the number of sago trees has decreased from five thousand to four thousand trunks more.
Although rice consumption among Papuans is increasing as a form of food diversification, this does not necessarily indicate a total shift in consumption, according to Aser.
The government has also carried out various strategic steps through conservation programs, structuring, and downstream processing. The Aser-led institute has registered 11 Papuan sago germplasm accessions for protection and proposed two of them to become national varieties.
One peculiarity of sago is its banana tree-like mulching properties, so the regeneration process occurs naturally when a single tree is cut down.
In the future, sago preservation becomes crucial for several key reasons. First, amid the challenges of climate change, sago should be viewed as a major food source because of its adaptability in marginal lands and its resistance to drought.
Secondly, sago has great potential as an energy source.
Thirdly, the sago ecosystem holds a rich ecological value for Papuans, as it contains a variety of forest products, from game animals to swamp fish that support their lives.
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