Puji Lestari, Aprila Niravita, Erisandi Arditama, Ayup Suran Ningsih, Moh. Aris Munandar, Zuraini Binti Jamil Osman
The violent dynamics of gender, power, and politics synergistically undermine the political recruitment and participation of women in Indonesia. Victims are often unaware of the oppressive power structures disguised as social norms, which continue to marginalize women's roles in politics. This research aims to identify the types of discrimination women face during the recruitment process for the 2024 legislative elections and to analyze the effectiveness of existing legal regulations in eliminating these obstacles. The study employs a normative doctrinal research approach by analyzing legislation, policies, and recruitment documents related to gender-based political representation. Theoretical frameworks concerning symbolic violence and gendered power relations further support the analysis. The study finds that systematic discrimination is perpetrated through “invisible” power structures that maintain a gap between formal legal protections and actual societal practices. Although the law provides a constitutional quota of 30% for women’s representation, symbolic and structural violence continue to suppress meaningful political participation. Legal frameworks emphasize procedural equality, thereby failing to eliminate entrenched discriminatory practices. This study contributes to scholarly discourse by revealing how legal reforms must move beyond formal guarantees toward substantive measures that dismantle structural barriers and enable genuine political empowerment for women in Indonesia. © 2025, Faculty of Law Universitas Negeri Surabaya. All rights reserved.
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Faculty of Human Sciences, Universitas Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia
