Indonesia’s Ministry of Human Development and Culture has admitted that scattered disability data across multiple government agencies has hampered the effectiveness of inclusion programs, as reported by Tempo.
Deputy of Coordination for Family and Population Quality Improvement, Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, known as Lisa or Wowo, emphasized that a unified national database is crucial to ensure targeted policies.
“With valid and accessible unified data, every policy and development program will have a stronger and more measurable foundation,” said Lisa, during the opening of the 6th Inclusion Meeting held both online and offline in Durajaya Village, Cirebon, West Java, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
She added that building national single data is not merely an administrative task but also about recognizing the diverse needs of people with disabilities. “Because accurate data will lead to fair, equal, and needs-oriented steps,” she noted.
Statistics reveal urgent challenges: 17.8 million Indonesians live with disabilities, yet one-third have not completed primary education. Workforce participation remains low at 23.94 percent, driving poverty rates above the national average.
Lisa urged active participation from the disability community. “We do not want programs to run independently. More than that, the meaningful voice and participation of our disabled friends must be present in every process,” she stressed.
