Is Public Space Still a Man's World? Find Out at FEB's EconInsight

October 22, 2024

Contributor: Sihabudin Nf | Editor: Supriyono | Photo: Moh. Alfi Fauzilah


Depok, October 17, 2024 - The Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (FEB UIII) hosted a public lecture as part of its EconInsight series, featuring Dr. Diahhadi Setyonaluri, Head of the Graduate Program in Population and Labor Studies at Universitas Indonesia. The event centered on the theme: “Gender Norms and Women’s Participation in Public Space.”

Dr. Setyonaluri began the session by addressing the current state of gender norms in Indonesia. She highlighted how these norms remain conservative and restrictive, limiting women's opportunities across various sectors, including economic and political spheres. She emphasized that tackling these constraints is essential to addressing future challenges. 

In her presentation, Dr. Setyonaluri shared data showing that the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Indonesia has stagnated over the past two decades, with women’s participation tending to plateau during their most productive years. She explored several contributing factors, suggesting that entrenched gender norms play a significant role in this phenomenon. 

One particularly intriguing finding she shared was that women with more conservative gender norms are more likely to engage in political activities. This paradox highlights how gender norms shape women's behavior and choices, even as they seek greater influence and representation in the public sphere. 

The event provided a valuable platform for discussing gender norms and women’s economic empowerment. The Faculty of Economics and Business expressed its gratitude for the insightful knowledge exchange and looks forward to future collaborative efforts to advance understanding and solutions in these areas.