JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, is concerned about the increasing number of women trapped in online loan (pinjol) practices, especially those who become family heads.
Puan assessed that the state must provide access to financial services that are safe for women who are the main pillars of family resilience.
"The increase in the number of women, especially women heads of families, who are trapped in online loans shows their HELPlessness in dealing with difficult economic situations," said Puan, Monday, April 28.
"Women are agents of national development and pillar of family resilience, and we cannot allow them to be trapped in an harmful cycle of debt," he continued.
As is known, the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) from 2018 to 2024 received 1,944 complaints from borrowed victims from Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi and outside Jabodetabek. A total of 1,208 (62.14 percent) of the victims were women, the remaining 734 (37.76 percent) were men.
The same thing was also revealed by research from the Department of Criminology of the University of Indonesia's FISIP in 2022 which shows that women access loans to meet family needs, followed by personal needs, and open businesses.
However, the loan, which initially appeared to be a quick solution to overcome the daily needs of life, in fact leads to a growing debt burden due to high interest rates and a confusing payment process.
Puan emphasized that this phenomenon must be addressed immediately. He also emphasized the importance of safer and more friendly financial services for women, especially for women as heads of families who support their family life.
"The state must ensure that it provides access to safer and more friendly financial services for women. Especially for women as heads of families who must be the backbone of their family members," said Puan.
The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also urged the government and related institutions to immediately tighten regulations on the loan industry and encourage the provision of loans with more reasonable interest rates. Puan also asked for education from the public to continue.
"It is important to educate the public, especially women, about the risks associated with borrowing. Women must be protected from harmful lending practices," said Puan.
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Puan also ensured that the DPR would pay more attention to the welfare of Indonesian women. She wants women to continue to be empowered and play an active role in building families and the nation without being burdened with heavy debts.
"We at the DPR are committed to fighting for stricter regulations in the supervision of this industry and ensuring that women have better access to their financial needs without being trapped in debt," concluded Puan.
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