As Indonesia steps into a new chapter under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, one key aspect of his administration has drawn significant attention and concern: the glaring under participation of women in his cabinet. This issue raises important questions about gender equality in governance and the missed opportunity for Indonesia to set an example in advancing women’s rights and participation in politics.
Keywords : Gender equality, Indonesia, Women
A Stark Gender Disparity
The numbers speak for themselves: in a cabinet of 48 ministries, women occupy a mere 10.4% of ministerial positions. Whilst the inclusion of any women in leadership roles is a positive step, the sheer scale of the imbalance cannot be ignored. This disparity sends a message that women’s participation in governance is secondary, reinforcing traditional gender roles and perpetuating structural inequalities in Indonesia’s political system.
The global conversation about gender parity in politics is one in which Indonesia has the potential to play a leading role, especially as a prominent G20 nation. Yet, with only 5 women holding minister positions, the country lags far behind both regional neighbours and global examples of inclusive governance. Comparisons to countries such as Rwanda, where over 50% of government ministers are women, or even Canada, which has committed to gender parity in cabinet appointments, further highlight Indonesia’s shortfall.
The Impact of a Male-Dominated Cabinet
The lack of women in leadership positions affects the type of policies that get prioritised. Women bring different perspectives, especially on social issues like healthcare, education, family welfare, and gender-based violence issues that disproportionately affect women. A cabinet that consists overwhelmingly of men is less likely to address these matters with the urgency and insight they require.
In Indonesia, women continue to face challenges such as gender-based violence, high maternal mortality rates, limited access to education in rural areas, and persistent wage gaps. Yet, without sufficient female representation in the cabinet, policies designed to tackle these issues may not receive the attention they need. The exclusion of women’s voices not only undermines the principle of equality but also hampers the government’s ability to implement comprehensive and equitable solutions for the entire population.
International Comparisons: A Contrast in Gender Representation
Indonesia’s cabinet gender imbalance becomes even more evident when compared to other nations that have made significant strides toward gender parity. The stark contrast highlights that whilst other nations are making gender parity in government a priority, Indonesia continues to struggle with male-dominated leadership. The global push for gender equality in politics is being driven by the realisation that diverse perspectives are essential for inclusive policymaking. Indonesia’s cabinet, however, remains an example of how slow progress can be when gender equality is not prioritised. We can see from below comparison to the women representation in Merah Putih Cabinet :
- Rwanda: Leading the Way in Gender Parity
One of the most notable examples is Rwanda, a country that has become a global leader in gender representation in politics. In the wake of the 1994 genocide with an estimated 800,000 people killed, this tragedy disproportionately affected men, leaving a population where women outnumbered men, leading to significant societal restructuring. Since then Rwanda implemented policies that mandated gender quotas in its government. As a result, over 60% of Rwanda’s parliament is now made up of women, and the country boasts a near-equal gender balance in its cabinet. Women hold more than 50% of ministerial positions, making Rwanda a standout example of how gender parity can be achieved even in countries with significant historical and social challenges. Rwanda’s commitment to gender inclusivity has led to better representation of women’s issues in policies, including healthcare, education, and social justice, helping to stabilise and grow the nation.
- Finland: Prioritising Women in Leadership
Despite this leadership change, Finland remains a country deeply committed to gender equality. Orpo’s cabinet, whilst not as predominantly female as Marin’s, still reflects the nation’s values of inclusivity and gender balance. Women continue to hold significant ministerial positions, and Finland’s political culture remains one of the most progressive in the world when it comes to female representation.
The country’s commitment to gender parity goes beyond just symbolic representation it is woven into the fabric of its political and social systems. The strong presence of women in Finnish politics, at all levels of government, ensures that key issues affecting women and marginalised groups continue to receive attention. Finland’s high ranking in global gender equality indices is a testament to this sustained effort.
Even under the leadership of Prime Minister Orpo, Finland’s government continues to be shaped by its long-standing commitment to gender inclusivity, making it a model for other nations, including Indonesia, where gender imbalance in governance persists. Finland demonstrates that gender parity in leadership is not dependent on individual leaders but is part of an ongoing societal commitment to equality.
The Importance of Gender-Parity Cabinets
Globally, gender-balanced cabinets are becoming more common, and research suggests that these inclusive governments are better at creating policies that address the needs of the entire population. Women in leadership roles tend to push for more comprehensive approaches to social welfare, healthcare, education, and gender-sensitive reforms. These are areas that disproportionately affect women and marginalised groups but are often overlooked when men dominate policymaking.
Countries like Rwanda and Finland illustrate the benefits of including women at the highest levels of government, resulting in societies that are not only more inclusive but also more equitable and prosperous. In Rwanda, for instance, women hold a significant proportion of government seats, which has enabled the implementation of progressive policies in post-conflict reconstruction, social cohesion, and economic empowerment. Meanwhile, Finland’s gender-balanced leadership has enacted policies supporting work-life balance, parental leave, and accessible healthcare, fostering overall societal well-being.
This trend toward inclusivity makes the severe gender imbalance in Indonesia’s cabinet particularly concerning, as several stalled bills aimed at improving gender equality continue to face significant challenges:
- Domestic Workers’ Protection Bill
Proposed nearly two decades ago, this bill aims to provide basic legal protections for domestic workers, the majority of whom are women. It seeks to ensure fair wages, regulated working hours, and protection from exploitation and abuse. However, the bill remains stalled due to lack of prioritisation and political support. Without a law recognising domestic workers as formal labour, these individuals remain vulnerable to mistreatment, with no legal recourse for addressing their grievances. A more gender-balanced cabinet might push this bill forward, recognising its critical importance to women’s safety and labour rights. - Sexual Violence Elimination Bill (RUU PKS)
Originally introduced in 2016, the Sexual Violence Elimination Bill aimed to comprehensively address various forms of sexual violence, including forced marriage, forced abortion, sexual slavery, and sexual torture. After years of debate and multiple revisions, the bill was eventually passed in 2022 as the Sexual Violence Criminal Act, but it was significantly watered down. Key provisions, particularly those targeting forced marriage and sexual slavery, were excluded from the final legislation due to opposition from conservative groups. This limited scope restricts the bill’s effectiveness in addressing the full spectrum of sexual violence in Indonesia. With more women in the cabinet, there could be a stronger push to revisit these exclusions and advocate for a broader and more effective version of the bill.
A gender-parity cabinet in Indonesia could be transformative for these stalled initiatives, which disproportionately impact women. With more women in cabinet positions, these issues could receive the sustained attention they require, leading to policies that protect and empower women across the country. Gender parity would not only advance women’s rights but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society, setting a precedent for future governance in Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Missed Opportunity
Despite the appointment of some highly qualified and capable women, the low number of women in the cabinet undercuts any real progress toward gender equality in Indonesian governance. Women make up nearly 50% of Indonesia’s population, and their exclusion from key decision-making roles in such large numbers reflects a missed opportunity to fully leverage the diverse talents and perspectives available in the country.
Moreover, given that Indonesia has produced influential female leaders in the past, most notably, former President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the stark underrepresentation of women in Prabowo’s cabinet marks a troubling regression. Rather than building on the progress of the past, the current administration seems to have taken a step backward by failing to promote gender inclusivity at the highest levels of government.
In a country where women face ongoing challenges such as unequal access to education, high maternal mortality rates, and widespread gender-based violence, the absence of women from key decision-making roles means these issues may not be addressed with the attention they deserve. Without women in leadership, there is a risk that Indonesia’s policies will continue to reflect a male-centric perspective, leaving half the population underrepresented and underserved.
Indonesia’s gender imbalance in the new cabinet is a stark reminder that whilst progress has been made in other parts of the world, much work remains to be done at home. The global examples of gender parity serve as both inspiration and a challenge for Indonesia to step up and ensure that its leadership is truly representative of its people. The Prabowo administration must take proactive steps to correct this imbalance if it hopes to be seen as a forward-thinking government capable of addressing the complex needs of a modern, diverse nation.
It’s disappointing to see that Prabowo Subianto’s new cabinet has such limited female representation. Given Indonesia’s progress in gender equality, many hoped for a more balanced lineup that would reflect the country’s diversity and promote inclusivity in leadership.