Penguatan Hak Asasi Perempuan dan Kesetaraan Gender melalui Fatwa KUPI: Analisis Wacana Kritis

Abstract

Although in terms of quantity, the number of women is equal to or even exceeds that of men, in reality, women still remain a group that frequently becomes the object of violence, whether socially, economically, or culturally. Efforts to protect women's human rights have actually been undertaken by various parties, including the government. However, in practice, these efforts are still not optimal. Moreover, synergy between governmental institutions and various organizations advocating for women’s rights has also not reached its full potential. KUPI (Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia) serves as a platform for female religious scholars to come together and a space for dialogue between women who experience injustice or violence, whether in domestic or public spheres, and the ulama.” Thus, KUPI has become a significant avenue to advocate for the strengthening of women’s rights and gender equality in Indonesia through a religious perspective. This article explains how religious fatwas issued by KUPI have had an impact on strengthening women's rights and gender equality in Indonesia, something that has not been extensively undertaken by other religious organizations or institutions. Furthermore, in its religious deliberations, KUPI incorporates women's experiences as one of the reference sources, an unprecedented practice in the history of fatwa formulation within any religious institution. Using a critical discourse analysis approach, this study demonstrates that through KUPI, the existence and authority of female religious scholars are increasingly recognized by the Muslim community in Indonesia. KUPI's fatwas have also become a reference for the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and state institutions in shaping policies, including those related to child marriage, efforts to prevent sexual violence, and female circumcision. With an approach based on women's experiences, KUPI's fatwas have influenced state policies, including laws that strengthen the protection of women's rights and gender equality in Indonesia.