Upholding Women's Rights through Institutional Non-Discrimination Policies and Gender-Responsive Protection
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta is committed to promoting gender equality, protecting women's rights, and maintaining an academic environment founded on fairness, dignity, and non-discrimination.
The University recognises that women's meaningful participation in higher education requires institutional safeguards that protect individuals from discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, intimidation, and unequal treatment.
These commitments are reflected in the University's formal regulations concerning the prevention and handling of sexual violence, institutional gender-mainstreaming initiatives, equal-opportunity admissions, and mechanisms for protecting students and staff. During 2024–2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta maintained and implemented formal policies incorporating the principles of non-discrimination and gender justice, while strengthening institutional mechanisms for women's protection and equal academic participation.
Through these measures, the University contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality by promoting an educational environment where women can pursue academic and professional opportunities with dignity and institutional protection.
1. Establishing Formal Non-Discrimination Principles through Rector's Decree No. 573 of 2022
The principal formal policy supporting non-discrimination and gender justice is Rector's Decree Number 573 of 2022 concerning the Guidelines for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta. The regulation was established on 30 June 2022 and continued to provide the University's institutional framework for preventing and addressing sexual violence during the 2024–2025 reporting period.
The guidelines were designed to protect members of the academic community and administrative staff, uphold human dignity, and establish institutional responsibilities for preventing and responding to sexual violence. Importantly, the regulation explicitly incorporates non-discrimination and gender justice into its governing principles. Article 4, Paragraph 2(b) identifies non-discriminatory treatment as a principle in the prevention of sexual violence. Article 7, Paragraph 2(f) and (g) establishes non-discrimination and gender justice as principles governing the handling of sexual violence. These provisions are particularly important for women, who may face gender-related vulnerabilities and barriers when seeking protection or reporting misconduct.
They establish that sexual violence prevention and response must be conducted fairly and without discriminatory treatment. Rector's Decree Number 573 of 2022 therefore provides a documented institutional policy foundation for non-discrimination and gender justice, particularly in protecting women and other members of the University community from sexual violence.
2. Protecting Women's Educational and Professional Continuity
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta recognises that protection against discrimination must include safeguarding the educational and professional rights of individuals who experience or report misconduct. The University's sexual violence prevention and response policy establishes specific protections for victims, complainants, and witnesses. Under Article 24, Paragraph 2 of Rector's Decree Number 573 of 2022, these protections include confidentiality, protection from threats, and continuity of education or employment. These safeguards are relevant to women's participation because concerns about retaliation, reputational harm, intimidation, or loss of educational opportunities may discourage reporting.
The University's policy framework addresses these concerns by recognising that seeking institutional protection should not lead to the loss of academic or professional opportunities. The policy also establishes an initial response process through the University's Integrated Service Unit. As explained in an official Faculty of Psychology publication dated 15 June 2025, the policy sets an initial handling period of no later than three 24-hour periods following the receipt of a report.
These provisions demonstrate that the University's commitment to non-discrimination includes formal mechanisms intended to protect individuals who seek assistance. By recognising educational and employment continuity, the University strengthens its institutional capacity to address circumstances that could otherwise undermine women's participation.
3. Implementing Protection through PSGA and the ERTRI Task Force
The University's non-discrimination and protection framework is supported by institutional structures responsible for prevention, assistance, and coordination. The Center for Gender and Child Studies (PSGA) plays an important role in promoting gender equality and coordinating initiatives related to sexual violence prevention and response.
The University also established the Rumah, Ramah, Rahmah (ERTRI) Task Force through Rector's Decree Number 1549 of 2023, dated 3 October 2023. The task force provides an organisational mechanism for implementing the University's protection-related responsibilities. Its structure includes representatives from different faculties, enabling institutional coordination beyond a single central office.
The involvement of faculty representatives supports the dissemination of prevention measures, the coordination of institutional responses, and access to appropriate assistance. These arrangements demonstrate that the University's non-discrimination principles are supported by designated institutional responsibilities. The task force and PSGA therefore contribute to making the University's formal sexual violence prevention and response framework operational within the academic environment.
4. Strengthening Policy Implementation through the 2025 Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Handbook
The University's commitment to gender-responsive protection was further strengthened during 2025 through the development and public introduction of its Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Handbook. Prepared by PSGA under the Institute for Research and Community Service, the handbook provides practical guidance for strengthening awareness, prevention, reporting, and response mechanisms.
The handbook includes a foreword dated 18 August 2025 from the University's Rector, affirming the importance of a safe, inclusive, and equitable academic environment. It also explains the principles underpinning victim-centred protection, including confidentiality, non-discrimination, respect for individual dignity, and gender justice. The document describes the importance of accessible reporting services, appropriate assistance, and procedures that recognise the circumstances and needs of vulnerable individuals. On 16 October 2025, the University formally launched the handbook through a PSGA Focus Group Discussion entitled “Technology and Women's Empowerment: Strengthening Access and Equality.”
The activity involved members of the academic community and was intended to increase institutional understanding of sexual violence prevention and response. During the launch, University leadership emphasised the importance of avoiding gender-based distinctions in access to academic facilities, research opportunities, and institutional assistance. The 2025 handbook and its official launch demonstrate a documented institutional effort to strengthen and communicate existing non-discrimination and gender-justice principles.
5. Promoting Equal Educational Opportunities for Women
The University's wider commitment to non-discrimination is also reflected in its student admission arrangements. In January 2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta publicly announced admission opportunities through the national SPAN-PTKIN pathway. The official information stated that the selection pathway was open to eligible prospective students regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background.
This provides evidence of a formally communicated equal-opportunity principle within the University's admission process. For prospective female students, the provision demonstrates that gender is not an eligibility-based restriction within that selection pathway. The University's institutional commitment to women's equal opportunities also extends to discussions concerning academic facilities, research support, and educational assistance. During the October 2025 PSGA handbook launch, University leadership publicly emphasised the importance of making institutional opportunities available without differentiating between women and men.
These arrangements and statements complement the University's formal protection policies by recognising equality in access and academic participation.
6. Advancing Gender Equality through Institutional Governance and External Recognition
The University's commitment to gender equality also forms part of its broader governance and educational development. On 18 October 2024, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta announced that it had received the 2024 Gender-Responsive Higher Education Institution Award, achieving the Madya category.
The award was presented through the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education under the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. The recognition acknowledged institutional efforts to integrate gender perspectives into education, research, and community service. The University described the achievement as an encouragement to further strengthen gender mainstreaming across its academic environment. The recognition also highlighted the collaborative roles of PSGA, University leadership, academic faculties, and other institutional stakeholders.
Although an award does not replace formal regulatory evidence, it provides supporting evidence of institutional engagement with gender-responsive principles during the reporting period. The University's continued development of gender-related educational activities, prevention programmes, and protective services further illustrates its efforts to translate institutional commitments into practical initiatives.
7. Supporting an Inclusive and Safe University Environment
Effective non-discrimination measures require both formal policy provisions and appropriate institutional mechanisms. Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta addresses these requirements through a combination of regulation, organisational responsibility, public awareness, and support services. The University's policy framework establishes non-discrimination and gender justice in the context of sexual violence prevention and response.
Its protection provisions recognise the confidentiality, safety, and educational continuity of individuals reporting misconduct. PSGA and the ERTRI Task Force provide institutional structures for coordinating prevention and response. The 2025 handbook strengthens practical guidance and awareness among students, lecturers, and administrative personnel.
Equal-opportunity admissions and gender-mainstreaming initiatives provide additional evidence of efforts to support women's access and participation in higher education. Together, these mechanisms reflect an institutional approach that seeks to reduce gender-related barriers and promote respectful academic participation.
8. Institutional Contribution to SDG 5: Gender Equality
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has established formal provisions incorporating non-discrimination and gender justice into its institutional protection framework. Rector's Decree Number 573 of 2022, maintained as an applicable institutional reference during 2024–2025, explicitly establishes non-discriminatory prevention and gender-just response principles.
The University's ERTRI Task Force and PSGA provide designated organisational mechanisms for implementing these commitments. The development and launch of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Handbook in 2025 further strengthened the University's approach to awareness, accessibility, protection, and institutional coordination. Additional evidence from equal-opportunity admissions and gender-responsive institutional recognition demonstrates the University's broader commitment to creating an environment that supports women's educational participation.
Through these documented regulations and institutional measures, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates an established commitment to non-discrimination against women, particularly through explicit gender-justice provisions, protection from sexual violence, and mechanisms supporting equal academic participation. These efforts contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5 by promoting women's dignity, strengthening institutional accountability, and supporting a safer and more equitable university environment.
Source :
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