Unpacking the Standstill: What Drives the Stagnation of Women's Labor Force Participation in Indonesia?

Despite recent economic growth and meaningful improvements in women's rights in Indonesia, gender gaps in labor force participation remain. To answer this question, we analyzed how Indonesians perceive gender equality as well as the factors that account for such perceptions of women's rights. The results of a survey administered to 526 respondents in 2023 showed that skewed perceptions of social norms regarding gender roles may serve as the primary obstacle to achieving gender equality and account for the stagnation of women's labor force participation in Indonesia. The religious commitments of Muslims and Hindus may also explain their varying levels of awareness and support for gender equality and women's rights, potentially reconciling conflicting arguments regarding the role of Islam and religions in Indonesia. This study expands current research on gender disparity by highlighting the economic ramifications of gender norms.