Determinant Factors of Low Women's Participation in Development Planning in Jayapura Regency

Abstract

This article discusses the determinants of low women's participation in development planning in Jayapura Regency. This study uses a qualitative method. Data were collected through observation and interviews. The focus of this research is to describe the determinant factors of women's participation in development planning, especially in the special autonomy era of Jayapura Regency. The results showed that women do not yet have equal abilities in following the process of implementing Musrembang. Only a small proportion of them have a good ability to share their ideas with the Jayapura Regency government. The level of education of women in Jayapura Regency is very unequal to the level of education of men so that during Musrembang activities most of the women were listeners and even if anyone could provide input on Musrembang activities, their number was insignificant. The lack of women's participation in development planning is caused by the patriarchal culture of the Papuan people. The position of women in the implementation of development planning is limited by prevailing customs. Women in this position cannot provide input and convey their aspirations directly to the Musrenbang activities. The voice of women is always considered to have been represented by the voice of men who traditionally have the right to voice.