This is a thesis on women’s right to reproductive choice and the
implementation of this right on the Indonesian island of Lombok. As this is
a graduate thesis on the Master Program in Human Rights Law, the point of
departure is the regulation of the right to reproductive choice in international
human rights law. To establish the content and scope of the right to
reproductive choice, the material used are the sources of international law,
mainly human rights treaties. The mapping of the national and local
implementation of the international provisions is based on legislation, but
also on interviews with government officials and stakeholders conducted
during a Minor Field Study in Indonesia in 2005.
Indonesia is a state party to CEDAW and CRC, which provide for women’s
right to reproductive choice. In contrast to many other state parties, the
Indonesian government has no reservations to substantive provisions of the
two conventions, which means that the government is obligated to
implement all norms in conformity with international law. Indonesia has a
well-established national family planning program, which has gained
international recognition for its success. However, national legislation limits
the access to sexual and reproductive health information and services to
married women, and excludes unmarried women and adolescents from the
enjoyment of their rights.