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EDGS Graduate Lecture Series

Yoes Kenawas is an Arryman Scholar and a third-year graduate student in comparative politics at the Department of Political Science, Northwestern University.

In July 2018, Indonesia will hold simultaneous subnational elections to elect governors, mayors, and district heads in 17 provinces, 39 municipalities, and 115 districts. What does the data tell us about women’s representation in Indonesia’s subnational politics? Data from the Indonesian General Elections Commission suggests that women are heavily underrepresented in the upcoming election season. More importantly, almost half of the women candidates are part of subnational political dynasties. Who are these women candidates ? What are their backgrounds? What are their roles in dynastic politics? In this talk, I will address these questions by looking at the women candidates’ CVs. Furthermore, I will explain why having more women dynastic politicians does not necessarily lead to the advancement of women’s rights in subnational politics in Indonesia.