Institut KAPAL Perempuan was founded on March 8, 2000. The aim of KAPAL Perempuan is to build a women’s movement and a social movement capable of realizing social justice, gender equality and equity, and peace in the public and private spheres.

KAPAL Perempuan is short for Alternative Education Circle for Women. KAPAL is abbreviated because we realize that Indonesia is an archipelago and ships are a means of transportation that connects the islands. The use of the word circle contains the spirit of no center and describes the cycle of reflection action.

KAPAL Perempuan was founded by its activists as a form of concern about the situation of conflict and violence due to ethnic and religious identity politics that occurred in various regions of Indonesia. They are also concerned about violations of women’s human rights, including women’s sexuality and reproductive health, and discriminatory practices against marginalized and minority groups.