KSI Highlights Gender in Research and Public Policy

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During December, KSI organised three large events with different audiences highlighting the role of women in research and public policy: a knowledge sharing event on 7 December on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Research for Development, a talk show on 21 December on Women in Public Policy, and an expert discussion on 22 December on Gender Research in Universities.

The three events highlighted the lack of diversity in research and policy analysis in Indonesia today. Even though numbers have increased, less than 20 percent of Echelon 1 and 2 are women – the Indonesian bureaucracy or universities do not yet maximise performance and capability by enabling all women and men to thrive equally. This is despite various international research studies demonstrating that organisations with a critical mass of women in senior management perform better across a range of performance markers than organisations with less gender diversity in senior management.

As discussed during the 7 December knowledge-sharing event, a failure to include gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in the production of knowledge might result in policy recommendations that overlook the needs and interests of women and marginalised groups. KSI research partners have agreed to take this recommendation seriously and include a GESI perspective in all research. During the LAN talk show on women in public policy, a strategic alliance consisting of women in high-ranking public office was proposed. The final event on 22 December celebrated 88 years of the first Indonesia Women’s Congress, and aimed to improve the position of gender research in universities, which is neglected in a variety of research. Officials from Bappenas and the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education participated actively, and recommendations include specific earmarked research grants for gender research and strengthened lobbying efforts.