Musawa: Journal for Gender Studies

GENDER-FRIENDLY PROGRESSIVE INTERPRETATION: THE CONCEPT OF ANGELS IN THE QUR'AN WITH THE PARADIGM OF QIRĀAH MUBĀDALAH

2025-12-29T15:04:06+00:00

This research employs the Qira′ ah Mubādalah approach to offer a progressive and gender-sensitive interpretation of the concept of the bidadari (houris) in the Qur'an, particularly for verses often interpreted with a gender-bias and anthropocentric perspective (QS. Al-Waqi'ah: 22-23, QS. Ad-Dukhan: 54, and QS. Ar-Rahman: 72). Using a qualitative method and thematic analysis (maudhu′i), the study found that conventional interpretations have reduced the spiritual meaning into the physical objectification of women. Through the Qira′ah Mubādalah principles of reciprocity and substantive equality, the concept of the bidadari is reconstructed as a symbol of the ideal heavenly spouse (azwaj mutahharah) promised equally to all believers both men and women, thereby ensuring eschatological justice. Female believers are guaranteed the right, equivalent to men, to receive a sanctified partner who mutually honors them. For those who were unmarried, widowed/divorced, or for women who experienced polygamy in this world, Paradise promises the perfection of exclusive and equal relationships tailored to their spiritual rank, ultimately transforming the understanding of the huri into a vision of spiritual justice.

Women's Role in Religious Authority Qibla Determination: An Analysis with Neofunctional Theory

2025-12-27T09:50:55+00:00

This article discusses the involvement of women in religious authority, especially in the practice of determining the Qibla direction. Normatively, Islam does not differentiate between men and women in mastering the science of falak. However, the social role of women is often limited by the construction of patriarchal culture. in this article there are 2 objectives that will be discussed first how the role of women in religious authorities related to the determination of the Qibla in contemporary times and how the study of the theory neofunctionalism on the role of women in religious authorities related to the determination of the Qibla direction in contemporary times, so that the results obtained that the role of women in religious authorities related to determining the direction of the Qibla has a different role where historically the role is held by men based on religious sources (Al-Quran, sunnah, ijma', qiyas) although in contemporary times it can be done by women. As for the point of view of Jeffrey Alexander's Neofunctionalism theory, this study sees that the role of women in determining the Qibla has a dual function, first, the integrative function which is to maintain the continuity of religious tradition with contemporary science; second, the adaptive function, namely opening space for women's participation in the technical realm of religion, third, the symbolic function, namely presenting new legitimacy that religious authority does not exclusively belong to men and the dynamic function, namely correcting gender bias in the practice of religious authority.

SUING PATRIARCHY: THE CATCALLING PHENOMENON AND ITS IMPACT ON WOMEN IN MADURA

2025-12-29T15:06:20+00:00

The phenomenon of catcalling is a practice of gender-based sexual violence expressed through verbal speech and often occurs in public spaces. This action has serious implications for women's sense of security and dignity, especially in the context of social and cultural relations in Madurese society. In Madura's patriarchal social structure, verbal violence is considered part of ordinary social interactions so that its existence is legitimized by cultural constructions that position women in an unequal position. In essence, this action not only degrades women's dignity but also has a significant impact on psychological, social and cultural aspects. This study aims to answer two main formulations: what is the impact of catcalling in the social, cultural and psychological context on women in Madura? and how does patriarchal culture influence societal behavior towards women in the practice of catcalling?. This research employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach. The analysis was conducted on a number of relevant written sources, including journal articles, research reports, and other academic works. The theoretical framework used to analyze this research is the concept of hegemonic masculinity (Raewyn Connell), patriarchy (Sylvia Walby), and symbolic violence (Pierre Bourdieu). The results of the study indicate that catcalling in Madura is a form of symbolic violence reproduced through a patriarchal value system and socially accepted as normal. It has a significant impact on psychological, social, and cultural conditions. The patriarchal cultural system that views women as objects of sexuality reinforces this behavior and normalizes verbal violence against women. Therefore, educational and cultural interventions are needed that target the structural roots of gender inequality and the formation of more responsive public policies to ensure the protection of women in public spaces.

MAPPING THE EVOLUTION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GENDER BIAS IN EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

2025-12-29T23:35:37+00:00

This study aims to map the development of knowledge on gender bias in educational assessment through a bibliometric analysis based on Scopus data for the period 2000–2025. Based on the research problem, this study investigates temporal trends in publications, the most influential authors and journals, the geographic distribution of research, thematic structure based on keywords, and unfilled research gaps. Bibliometric methods were combined with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach using PRISMA guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and structured analysis. A total of 109 selected articles were analyzed using VOSviewer 1.6.20 to map citation networks, author collaborations, and keyword clusters. The results show that publications on gender bias have increased significantly over the past two decades, with peak contributions coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, and European countries. Influential authors and journals are dominated by the medical and health education fields, shifting the research focus toward clinical assessment and competency-based measurement. Keyword analysis revealed five main thematic clusters: educational measurement, gender bias & psychological factors, inequality & equity, psychometric methodology, and simulation-based assessment. The findings also identify several research gaps, particularly the limited non-medical context, the scarcity of research from developing countries, the absence of local instruments, and the suboptimal study of intersectionality and education policy. This research contributes to a comprehensive map of the development of the global discourse on gender bias in assessment, while also offering new research directions relevant to the Indonesian context through strengthening local instruments, intersectionality studies, and pedagogical innovations to create a more equitable and gender-responsive evaluation system.

LEADERSHIP STYLE OF FEMALE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN IMPROVING TEACHER PERFORMANCE AT SMP NEGERI 5 SIRENJA, DONGGALA REGENCY

2026-01-05T15:51:04+00:00

This study discusses the " female school principal's leadership style in improving teacher performance at SMP Negeri 5 Sirenja, Donggala Regency". The research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation. The obtained data are analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, data verification, and drawing conclusions. To check data validity, various types of triangulation and member checks are used.The results regarding the leadership style of the female school principal in improving teacher performance at SMP Negeri 5 Sirenja show that the female principal applies a transformational leadership style reflected in four main dimensions: (1) Idealized Influence (Charismatic), (2) Inspirational Motivation (Participative), (3) Intellectual Stimulation (Competent), and (4) Individualized Consideration (Democratic).Overall, it can be concluded that the success of the principal’s leadership is supported by strong cooperation and solidarity among school members, harmonious communication, support from the school committee and community, as well as the principal’s good professional competence.

REPRESENTATION AND SUBSTANTIVE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE 2024 PILKADA CITY OF PALU

2026-01-05T17:03:13+00:00

This research aims to analyze the representation and substantive representation of women in local political contests, especially in the 2024 Regional Elections in Palu City. Women's representation in politics has been dominated by quantitative approaches, while the substantive dimension the extent to which women are able to fight for strategic issues and gender needs in public policy is often overlooked. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, with data collection techniques in the form of in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and analysis of campaign documents and political party policies. The results of the study show that women's representation in the 2024 Regional Elections is still numerically low, with only a few female candidates appearing in the regional head nomination exchange. The main inhibiting factors for women's political participation include economic barriers, patriarchal cultural stereotypes, lack of support from political institutions, and the burden of domestic roles. However, the study also found that there is a form of substantive representation that is beginning to develop, characterized by women's involvement in community-based campaigns, organizing social issues, and non-traditional electoral strategies rooted in local social networks. This study recommends the importance of internal political party reforms, strengthening women's political capacity, and gender-based political education at the grassroots level to encourage women's meaningful involvement in local political processes.