The Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming Policy in Indonesian Local Government – The Case of Salatiga City 2017-2022

Abstract

The rise in women’s representation as public officials in Salatiga City is a crucial indicator of democracy. This progress must be accompanied by supportive knowledge about gender mainstreaming (PUG) in policymaking. There are many studies on women's representation, yet few are directed to examine how increasing women's representation as public officials is related to the improvement of gender-responsive development policies. This study uses a qualitative approach with a single instrumental case study in Salatiga City Government 2017-2022. The increase of women’s representation as public policymakers has achieved remarkable achievements nationally as stated in the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Development Index (IPG) of Salatiga City. However, qualitatively, the understanding of gender- responsive policies that ensure access, participation, control, and benefits has not been owned by the women representatives. Accordingly, despite its rising number, women are still lagging behind men in development. Then, having the fact that the Priority of 2017- 2022’s RPJMD (Regional Medium Development Plan) of Salatiga City is gender mainstreaming, it is found that the formulation of women's involvement in decision- making at the local level is not explicitly mentioned. Although the implementation of PUG has been outlined in PERWALI Regulation No. 5 of 2021, the policy must be carried out by recognizing problems and listening to the voices of local women to ensure that no one is left behind in development.