Gender Inequality in Indonesia's Art Institutions: Legal and Institutional Protection for Women Artists

Abstract

Women artists contribute significantly to Indonesia's contemporary art ecosystem but may continue to encounter structural barriers involving representation, exhibition opportunities, remuneration, leadership positions, and workplace safety. This article examines gender inequality within Indonesian art institutions from the perspective of artistic justice. Using normative juridical and institutional analysis, the study evaluates equality principles, labor protections, cultural policy, institutional governance, and mechanisms addressing harassment and discrimination. The article argues that gender equality in the arts cannot be measured solely by the number of women participating in exhibitions. Attention must also be given to decision-making power, remuneration, career progression, institutional leadership, and protection against sexual harassment. The study proposes a gender-responsive framework for public museums, galleries, universities, and cultural organizations, including transparent selection criteria, pay transparency, anti-harassment policies, accessible complaint mechanisms, and gender-sensitive funding programs. The framework further emphasizes the importance of collecting gender-disaggregated data to identify persistent institutional inequalities. Strengthening institutional accountability would allow women artists to participate in the art ecosystem on more equal terms. The article concludes that gender justice should be incorporated into cultural governance and arts funding policies rather than treated as a voluntary diversity initiative.