Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia (KUPI) and Mubādalah Approach in Interpreting the Gender Biased-Qur'anic Verses

Conventional interpretation of the Quran often leads to the understanding that the verses are gender biased. This study is intended to discuss the mubādalah approach used by Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia (KUPI) in interpreting the verses of the Qur’an that are considered gender bias. The question is how the Qur’an can be interpreted and how it can be explained. This study is a library study, focusing entirely on the existing library data. The study uses descriptive analysis with a hermeneutic approach, a tafsir analysis that considers the context of interpretation. This study concluded that the mubādalah approach that becomes the “official approach” of KUPI is relevant for interpreting gender biased-verses of the Qur’an. It is because the traditional and conventional interpretation makes it as if the verses of the Qur’an subordinate women, maltreating women in their relationship with men. Inter­pretation of the Quranic verses considered gender biased with the mubādalah approach in the context of the KUPI struggle is an appropriate advocative interpretation model for the improvement and fairness of gender relations

Women’s Political Representation in Feminist Perspectives: Case Study in the Bone Regency People's Representative Council

Women and politics are inseparable but intertwined. This study aims to explore the concept and implementation of women's political representation in Bone Regency by using qualitative methods through interviews with DPRD members, institutions, and the community. Although women's participation in political parties has met the 30% quota according to the KPU, women's representation in the Regional Representative Council (DPRD) of Bone Regency is only 4 out of 45 elected members (2019-2024). The analysis shows that the implementation of women's political representation has not been maximized, influenced by structural, cultural, religious stigma, and economic factors. Local regulations do not fully reflect women's needs and rights. Proposed solutions include political education, broad access for women, increasing awareness and confidence, and building political and social networks. This research shows that a concerted effort is needed from relevant parties to improve structures, overcome cultural and religious stigma, and create economic conditions that support women in actively participating in politics

Zaini Dahlan’s Feminism Ideology in Quranic Translation

In 1997, the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) Yogyakarta published Qur’an Karim dan Terjemahan Artinya (QKTA). This translation significantly differs from the official version of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and contemporary translations. Emerging during Indonesia's transition from the New Order to Reformation, QKTA played an important role, which motivates this study using Teun A. van Dijk's critical discourse analysis. This research investigates QKTA's position amidst the growing feminist discourse in Indonesia. This article specifically examines its impact on the verses translated: QS. al-Baqarah [2]: 228, QS. al-Nisā' [4]: 1, and 34, and QS. al-Nabā' [78]: 33. These verses were chosen because feminist interpreters often criticize them for their patriarchal perspective. These verses show QKTA's partiality to the feminist point of view. The findings of this article state that the social context and cognition of the translator influence the translation.  This can be seen from the translations that apply a lot of linguistic rhetoric, such as majāz, kināyah, and euphemism

Rubber Farmers Children’s Perceptions of Continuing Business between Generations: Case Study in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra

The declining interest of young people in farming extends beyond the food sector to include the plantation sector, warranting attention. This study addresses the insufficient exploration of the aspirations of plantation sector farmers’ children to pursue farming. The research focuses on analyzing the perceptions of farmers and their offspring regarding continuing rubber farming and identifying influencing factors in Ujung Tanjung Village, Banyuasin III District, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra. Employing a random sampling survey method, 36 school-age children were interviewed from a population of 175. Findings indicate that the children’s interest in rubber farming is relatively low (average score: 53.25), influenced by factors such as land area, participation in family farming, and agricultural extension. Although a generational transition in agricultural activities is observed in the village, guidance and counseling remain crucial to address farmer children’s perceptions

Contestation between Fiqh and Culture in Indonesia: The Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah Paradigm in Dangers of Forced Marriage against Women

This article addresses the contentious issues between Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) and cultural practices related to forced marriage. Motivated by the widespread prevalence of forced marriage in society, often perpetuated with religious arguments, the research aims to provide insights into the meaning of the term “ijbar” in fiqh discourse. While fiqh interprets “ijbar” as a custodian’s right to coerce their daughter, the article highlights the specific term “ikrah” for coercion in Islamic law. Utilizing a qualitative method, the study involves document analysis through an in-depth examination of fiqh literature. Data sources include classical and contemporary jurisprudence literature, information on forced marriages in Indonesia, and religious fatwas from the Indonesian Women’s Ulama Congress (KUPI). The article argues that forced marriage contradicts the maqāṣid al-sharī'ah, evidenced by spiritual and religious decline, domestic violence, restricted access to education, adverse reproductive effects, and limited economic resources

Quality of Life for Disabled Children: Parenting Patterns, Community Social Attitudes, and Social Service Role

Phenomena about children with disabilities in Salatiga still show that there are some problems related to the quality aspect of their lives. This study aims to examine parenting patterns, social attitudes, and role of the Social Service in improving the quality of life for children with disabilities. This research is a mixed-methods research using congruent design. The research subjects consisted of 66 parents of children with disabilities selected using the purposive sampling technique and 87 residents of Salatiga City selected using cluster sampling technique. Data was collected through interviews, surveys, and documentation, then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results show that parents with disabled children have a democratic parenting style, the social attitude of Salatiga City residents is good, full of empathy, and full of support; however, the Social Service Office does not yet have programs directly intended for children with disabilities in Salatiga. Research novelty is reflected by the variables and research method, which are different from previous studies

“Underwear Rule” in Improving Sexual Abuse Prevention Attitudes among Parents of Intellectual Disabilities Adolescent

Sexual abuse remains a prevalent issue among disabled individuals, particularly adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Parental lack of knowledge and negative attitudes towards sexual abuse contribute to its occurrence. This study aims to investigate the impact of “Underwear Rule” training on the attitudes of parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities towards sexual abuse prevention. Employing a pre-experimental method with a one-group pretest-posttest design, the research involved 72 parents. The Wilcoxon test was utilized for analysis. The findings reveal a positive influence of “Underwear Rule” training on parents’ attitudes, enhancing their motivation to prevent sexual abuse in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Collaboration among healthcare workers, educators, and parents is recommended to implement and integrate “Underwear Rule” training into daily activities, effectively preventing sexual abuse in this vulnerable population

Improving the Self-concept of Women Commercial Sex Workers with Group Counseling Solution-focused Brief Counseling (SFBC) Approach

This study underscores the critical need for mental health intervention among commercial sex workers undergoing rehabilitation, focusing on gender issues, particularly women choosing alternative paths in this field. The psychological challenges linked to their identity as female sex workers require the identification and enhancement of their self-concept. The research evaluates the effectiveness of the Solution-focused Brief Counseling (SFBC) approach in fortifying the self-concept of women involved in commercial sex work through group counseling services. Conducted at the Andam Dewi rehabilitation center in Solok with 21 female participants, the study adopts a quasi-experimental design. Results affirm the efficacy of SFBC, highlighting its potential to improve women’s self-concept in this specific context. This study contributes to an underexplored domain, urging counselors at rehabilitation centers to embrace group counseling services and SFBC to enhance the self-concept of women engaged in commercial sex work

Gender-based Dayah: The Role of Female Ulama in Trauma Recovery Strategies for Sexual Violence Victims in Aceh

This article delves into the escalating cases of sexual violence in Aceh and the imperative need for trauma recovery efforts. Umi Hanisah, an Acehnese female ulama and founder of Dayah Diniyah Darussalam, the sole gender justice-oriented Islamic boarding school in Aceh, is pivotal in addressing this issue. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, this research explores Umi Hanisah’s endeavors to heal the trauma of child victims of sexual violence. Data collection includes in-depth interviews, observation of the Dayah environment, documentation, and literature studies. Findings reveal Umi Hanisah’s authoritative approach in accommodating and recovering victims through a religious lens. She contends that the Islamic religious approach can emancipate victims from the chains of trauma, supplemented by Aceh’s local wisdom values as a foundation for trauma recovery, empowering victims to reintegrate into their communities

Prevention of Divorce through the Marriage Certification Program in Cilacap Regency, Central Java: The Lens of al-Ghazālī’s Maṣlaḥah

Cilacap Regency, Central Java, has experienced a significant increase in divorce cases and is ranked the highest in the region. In response to this trend, the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Cilacap launched a marriage certification program to counteract the spike in divorce rates. Using a qualitative research design, this study used primary data from interviews and secondary data from an information review involving KUA officers and certification counselors in Cilacap Regency. Data validation used the triangulation method, and analysis interpreted the information thematically through al-Ghazālī maṣlaḥah theory. This study aims to examine the application of al-Ghazālī maṣlaḥah theory in the implementation of the marriage certification program in Cilacap Regency. The findings of this study highlight the program’s alignment with al-Ghazālī maṣlaḥah theory, categorizing it as maṣlaḥah ḍarūriyyah (primary), which requires an immediate implementation to uphold the objectives of Sharia: safeguarding religion, mind, soul, property, and offspring