Women Account for 33.2% of Indonesia’s Hajj Officers in 2026

Jakarta: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that women comprise 33.2 percent of Indonesia’s hajj officers this year, exceeding the government’s initial target and aiming to improve service quality and comfort for pilgrims, particularly women.

Deputy Minister of Hajj Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the proportion surpassed the ministry’s 30 percent benchmark, reflecting a deliberate policy to strengthen gender-responsive services.

“We are implementing affirmative action for women because the majority of Indonesian hajj pilgrims are women,” Simanjuntak said after leading a preparatory training session at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory, as quoted by Antara on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

He noted that the increased presence of female officers aligns with the demographic profile of Indonesian pilgrims and responds to the need for more sensitive and sharia-compliant services.

According to Simanjuntak, female officers play a crucial role in providing more humane and comfortable assistance, particularly in handling private matters and consultations related to worship practices and women’s health.

“In the past, some female pilgrims felt uncomfortable consulting male officers on certain issues. With a more proportional number of female officers, services can be delivered in a more personal and effective manner,” he said.

Simanjuntak added that all hajj officers, regardless of gender, undergo training to serve pilgrims with empathy, with special attention given to elderly pilgrims, who are encouraged to be treated as one’s own parents.

The ministry will continue to evaluate the proportion of female officers to ensure it remains aligned with the gender composition of Indonesian pilgrims, he said.