Women’s involvement in decision-making spaces in Indonesia still requires considerable effort. According to data from Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in 2023, the proportion of women in managerial positions is only 35.02%. The underrepresentation of women is also evident in the composition of the 2024 Merah Putih Cabinet, where only 10.42% of the 48 ministers are women, with just five female ministers. Therefore, increasing women’s involvement and representation in leadership positions must be encouraged through government policies and societal mindset changes.

Novita Anggraeni, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist at Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP), explained that the low participation of women in decision-making spaces is influenced by social and cultural factors, where male dominance still prevails. “This perspective continues to persist and affects decision-making in public spaces, such as society, the workplace, and even politics. Men are still given more space and authority, while women often have to work harder to take on strategic roles or to participate in decision-making in these spaces,” she said.

Moreover, Novi shared that society’s views on female leadership are improving, although not yet ideal. “Although it is not perfect, society’s mindset about women in leadership has begun to change. Democracy in Indonesia is a vast battleground for female leadership. Women have the potential and the space to show their quality as leaders in public spaces,” she added.

Novi further emphasized that efforts to change mindsets and build a new perception of female leadership require significant time and must involve the younger generation. “We need to encourage the perspective of women and men as equal partners, who respect and appreciate each other based on human qualities rather than gender or traditional gender-biased labels,” she said.

Support for women in decision-making roles is also reflected in government policies, such as the Indonesian Law No. 12 of 2003, which mandates political parties participating in elections to ensure that women’s representation is at least 30%. According to data from the General Elections Commission (KPU), women’s representation in parliament has been steadily increasing. In 1977, women made up 8.04% of the members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR), and in 2024, this has risen to 21.9%.

Female Leaders at the Grassroots

In line with the government’s vision, Rifa Zunatin, a member of the Women’s Economic Group (KUEP) of Perempuan Tangguh Peduli in Musi Banyuasin Regency, emphasized that women should indeed be involved in decision-making processes, starting from their own communities. “For example, in village development, it should accommodate the needs of women. Therefore, women must be given space to express these needs,” Rifa asserted.

According to Rifa, women have the same qualities and abilities as men to be leaders, such as decisiveness, empathy, logic, and management skills. She encourages herself and the women around her to take on roles in society. “Women must be brave enough to voice their opinions. It is not a problem if women hold positions like village head or neighborhood association leader. For me, the ability to observe things in detail is an advantage that women have over men.”

Rifa further explained that building collective awareness about female leadership requires consistent socialization that is widely accepted. Therefore, she actively participates in various groups and encourages other women to join. “I participate in many organizations such as study groups, youth gatherings, women’s farmer groups (KWT), and women’s economic groups (KUEP). I also encourage women to join various activities by explaining what they will learn and gain from being part of these organizations,” she added.

Rifa also realizes that for a woman to become a leader or enter decision-making spaces, support from those around her is crucial. She shared her experience of receiving negative remarks for spending too much time outside her home on activities. “As a mother and wife, support from my husband and children is essential. Without their support, I certainly wouldn’t be able to engage in activities outside the home. For me, open-mindedness and support from neighbors are also crucial for my activities,” she concluded.

Written by: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika