UNAIR NEWS – The deep-rooted patriarchal culture in Indonesia continues to impose significant challenges on women, particularly in professional environments where gender discrimination often curtails their opportunities for advancement. In response, the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Law (FH) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) partnered with the Indonesian Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) to host a public forum aimed at reevaluating societal perceptions of women.
The event, titled Setara Bersuara: Women and Social Narratives, featured two prominent speakers from the PPPA Ministry: Prof. Dr. Ir. Hj. A. Majdah Muhyiddin Zain, M.Si., and Patimasang, BBusCom, MSc. The discussion took place on Friday, February 14, 2025, in Room AP-302, 3rd Floor, Building A G Pringgodigdo, Dharmawangsa-B Campus, UNAIR.
In his opening remarks, Faculty of Law Dean Prof. Iman Prihandono, SH, MH, LLM, PhD, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to fostering initiatives that combat gender discrimination. “We are more than willing to contribute because we have 2,000 students. If just a hundred of them actively advocate for positive change on social media, the impact could be substantial,” he noted.
Expanding opportunities for women
Prof. Zain opened the discussion by addressing the enduring presence of patriarchal norms in Indonesian society, which are often instilled from an early age within family structures. Many young girls are assigned domestic responsibilities that limit their aspirations, leading them to believe their role is confined to household duties.
However, she emphasized that today’s women have greater opportunities to break free from these constraints. With technological advancements challenging traditional perspectives, societal norms are evolving.
Prof. Zain stressed that this shift presents women with a crucial choice: to conform to patriarchal expectations or to redefine their roles. “The key now is how women embrace this challenge—demonstrating their capabilities and proving they can excel in all aspects of life,” she stated.
Role of men in addressing discrimination
The effort to eradicate gender discrimination cannot succeed without the involvement of men. Patimasang, the second speaker, highlighted the critical role men play in preventing discrimination, which, if unchecked, can escalate into violence against women. He urged men to challenge discriminatory behaviors and attitudes in their daily lives.
Concluding the discussion, Patimasang called on students to take an active role in preventing gender discrimination and violence. “The reach of the PPPA Ministry is limited. We hope all of you will collaborate with us to extend our efforts and reach a wider audience,” he concluded.
Author: Selly Imeldha
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
