Potential For Women’s Leadership: Impressions About The Contributions And Challenges For Women In The Political Participation Of The People Of Paser Regency

Abstract

Women's role in political participation is widely acknowledged as crucial. However, it remains unclear whether gender stereotypes hinder female leaders from contributing effectively to the political domain, particularly during times of transition. This research aims to evaluate the potential of women's leadership by examining how they overcome challenges in politics. The study adopts a descriptive and qualitative approach that utilizes interviews and field observations as data sources. The results indicate a decrease in women's leadership participation in the Paser Regency's political domain. The root cause of this decrease is the cultural perspective on women's societal roles and the fear experienced by women themselves. The patriarchal structure that restricts women's leadership opportunities, in conjunction with excessive concerns and insecurity, impairs women's ability to carry out their domestic and political roles successfully. The study implies that the declining tendency of women's leadership participation in the political sphere stems from outdated and conservative views upheld by society. Additionally, the inadequate resources of female leaders, including a lack of encouragement, interest, understanding, and confidence, impede their entry into leadership positions.