Women’s Agency and Institutional Transformation in Pandeglang: A Study of Gender Mainstreaming in the Context of Indonesian Islam
Abstract
This qualitative case study examines women’s agency in advancing gender mainstreaming in Pandeglang Regency, Indonesia. It specifically analyzes how Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 5/2021 on Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) is negotiated within a complex socio-religious context. Drawing on feminist historical institutionalism, the study highlights the role of women in building coalitions, reinterpreting religious norms, and navigating various forms of resistance. The findings indicate that gender institutional transformation in Pandeglang is a gradual and dynamic process shaped by women’s agency, institutional structures, and prevailing socio-religious norms. Rather than being monolithic, Islamic law emerges as a contested arena in which reinterpretation becomes essential for promoting inclusiveness. This study emphasizes the need to consider the dynamics of local Islamic laws. The challenges include patriarchal norms and conservative religious interpretations. The policy implications are that interventions must be culturally sensitive, aligned with local values, and led by cross-sectoral collaboration. The role of stakeholders, such as progressive religious leaders, women’s organizations, and female legislators, is crucial. This study contributes to the understanding of sustainable gender mainstreaming in the Islamic local context of Indonesia.
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