My research examines the gender-based power relations in the bureaucratic structure of the Indonesian civil service to inform understanding of gender issues in bureaucratic systems in public service organisations.

The findings of this research will contribute to long-term, future practice in incorporating gender analysis into the Ministry of Finance’s policies. At the moment, the ministry‘s role is very central, as it is responsible for both public income policies (taxation, customs and excise) as well as public spending, and usually is the lead agent of structural reforms across the country, whose beneficiaries include women. The findings will also produce valuable insights about the appropriateness (and possible alternatives to) UNDP’s GEM.
 

Research Topic

Gender dynamics in the indonesian ministry of finance: beyond numbers and indicators
 

Key research questions

1)  How are gender-based power relations produced (and reproduced) within a bureaucratic organisation, such as Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance?  Do religious beliefs and ethnic identity interact with these gender-based power relations, and if so, how?

2)  To what extent is it meaningful to investigate possible links between gender dynamics within bureaucratic institutions and the public policies they generate? 

3) To what extent are GEM indicators (especially female senior officials and managers) relevant to get a picture of degree of empowerment of women in public sectors?