Indigenous Women’s Rights: Intersectionality and Legal Justice in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper explores the intersectionality of gender and indigenous rights in Indonesia, focusing on the unique challenges faced by indigenous women in securing legal justice. Indigenous women in Indonesia often face double discrimination: one due to their gender and another due to their ethnic or indigenous status. The study examines Indonesia’s legal protections for gender equality, such as the 2004 Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence and the 2007 Law on Gender Equality, alongside laws aimed at protecting indigenous rights, such as the 1999 Forestry Law and the 2001 Law on Cultural Rights. By analyzing case studies, legal texts, and interviews with indigenous women’s rights advocates, the paper sheds light on how existing laws fail to adequately address the specific challenges facing indigenous women, particularly in areas related to land rights, economic opportunities, and social services. The findings indicate that indigenous women’s voices are often excluded from legal and political decision-making processes, exacerbating their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. The paper concludes by calling for an intersectional approach to legal reforms that not only protect indigenous rights but also address the compounded inequalities faced by indigenous women in Indonesia.