Increased Support for Women in Leadership Roles

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 6 views

The Relationship Between Women's Power in Patrilinealistic Culture and Decision-Making in Bureaucratic Institutions: A Case Study of the North Aceh Regency Government Secretariat

Introduction

In the midst of a patriarchal society, women in North Aceh have shown remarkable resilience and courage in taking on leadership roles in government agencies. Despite the historical dominance of men in public spaces, women in Aceh have made significant contributions, including Sultanah Nahrisyah, who led the Kingdom of Samudera Pasai in the 13th century. However, the current role of women in public spaces has declined, and they often face various challenges, including stereotypes, exploitation, and violence. This study aims to explore the relationship between women's power in patrilinealistic culture and decision-making in bureaucratic institutions, with a focus on the North Aceh Regency Government Secretariat.

Theoretical Framework

This study adopted the theory of power relations put forward by Michel Foucault, which emphasizes the importance of understanding power as a complex and multifaceted concept. According to Foucault, power is not held by individuals or groups, but is instead a dynamic and ever-changing process that is exercised through relationships, institutions, and discourses. The study used qualitative methods, including observations and in-depth interviews, to gather data on the experiences of female officials in the North Aceh Regency Government Secretariat.

The Power of Women in Bureaucratic Institutions

The results of this study showed that female officials in the bureaucratic environment were able to break down the "glass ceiling" that prevented them from advancing in their careers. They developed relationships of power with superiors, subordinates, and coworkers, which helped them to gain trust and build effective leadership. The study identified three key factors that contributed to the power of women in bureaucratic institutions: the relationship of power, science, and discourse.

The Relationship of Power: Successful female officials often had good communication skills and were able to build mutual trust relationships with all parties in their institutions. This helped them to navigate the complex web of power relationships in the bureaucratic environment.
Science: Education and qualified expertise became a tool for women to show capacity and credibility, which was often ignored in the context of patriarchal culture. By positioning themselves as experts in certain fields, they were able to make brave and strategic decisions.
Discourse: The discourse about gender equality became stronger in the midst of modernization, providing space for women to speak and show their capabilities in public spaces. This helped to challenge negative stereotypes and create a more inclusive and equitable environment.

The Type of Leadership Owned by Female Officials

The study found that the type of leadership owned by female officials was a key factor in their success. Inclusive, empathic, and collaborative leadership was the key to encouraging mutual achievements and creating a positive work environment. This contributed to the creation of a more balanced power relations, where women not only acted as followers, but also as influential decision-makers.

Conclusion

This study provides a unique insight into the relationship between women's power in patrilinealistic culture and decision-making in bureaucratic institutions. The findings suggest that women in North Aceh have found ways to adapt, innovate, and show their empowerment in the bureaucratic system that tends to patriarchy. Their success is an important example for other women to continue to fight and contribute to community development, and confirm their position as equal leaders in the public sphere.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increased Support for Women in Leadership Roles: Governments and institutions should provide increased support for women in leadership roles, including training and development programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Promoting Gender Equality: Efforts should be made to promote gender equality in all aspects of life, including education, employment, and politics.
Creating a More Inclusive and Equitable Environment: Institutions should strive to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, where women feel valued and empowered to contribute to decision-making processes.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The study was based on a small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited Scope: The study focused on the North Aceh Regency Government Secretariat, which may not be representative of other institutions or contexts.
Qualitative Methods: The study used qualitative methods, which may be subject to biases and limitations.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to build on the findings of this study, including:

Large-Scale Studies: Future studies should aim to conduct large-scale studies to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Comparative Studies: Comparative studies should be conducted to compare the experiences of women in different institutions and contexts.
Quantitative Methods: Future studies should aim to use quantitative methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between women's power and decision-making in bureaucratic institutions.
Q&A: The Relationship Between Women's Power in Patrilinealistic Culture and Decision-Making in Bureaucratic Institutions

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it explores the relationship between women's power in patrilinealistic culture and decision-making in bureaucratic institutions, providing a unique insight into the experiences of women in leadership roles in a patriarchal society.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The study found that female officials in the bureaucratic environment were able to break down the "glass ceiling" that prevented them from advancing in their careers. They developed relationships of power with superiors, subordinates, and coworkers, which helped them to gain trust and build effective leadership. The study identified three key factors that contributed to the power of women in bureaucratic institutions: the relationship of power, science, and discourse.

Q: What is the relationship of power, and how does it contribute to the power of women in bureaucratic institutions?

A: The relationship of power refers to the dynamic and ever-changing process of exercising power through relationships, institutions, and discourses. Successful female officials often had good communication skills and were able to build mutual trust relationships with all parties in their institutions, which helped them to navigate the complex web of power relationships in the bureaucratic environment.

Q: How does science contribute to the power of women in bureaucratic institutions?

A: Education and qualified expertise became a tool for women to show capacity and credibility, which was often ignored in the context of patriarchal culture. By positioning themselves as experts in certain fields, they were able to make brave and strategic decisions.

Q: What is the role of discourse in the power of women in bureaucratic institutions?

A: The discourse about gender equality became stronger in the midst of modernization, providing space for women to speak and show their capabilities in public spaces. This helped to challenge negative stereotypes and create a more inclusive and equitable environment.

Q: What type of leadership is most effective for women in bureaucratic institutions?

A: The study found that inclusive, empathic, and collaborative leadership was the key to encouraging mutual achievements and creating a positive work environment. This contributed to the creation of a more balanced power relations, where women not only acted as followers, but also as influential decision-makers.

Q: What are the implications of this study for women in leadership roles?

A: The study provides a unique insight into the experiences of women in leadership roles in a patriarchal society, highlighting the importance of building relationships of power, leveraging science and discourse, and adopting inclusive and empathic leadership styles.

Q: What are the recommendations for institutions and governments to support women in leadership roles?

A: The study recommends that institutions and governments provide increased support for women in leadership roles, including training and development programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Efforts should also be made to promote gender equality in all aspects of life, including education, employment, and politics.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a small sample size, limited scope, and the use of qualitative methods, which may be subject to biases and limitations.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to build on the findings of this study, including conducting large-scale studies, comparative studies, and using quantitative methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between women's power and decision-making in bureaucratic institutions.