Gender Equality and Divorce: Legal Guarantees of Women's Rights and Their Misuse in Traditional Muslim Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71239/jicl.v2i3.196Keywords:
Gender Equality, Divorce, Women's Rights, Marriage Law, Traditional MuslimAbstract
The divorce rate in Madura over the past three years has increased to thousands of cases. Notably, 70% of the causes can be attributed to divorce suits filed by wives. This indicates that Madura, as a traditional Muslim community, has become more sensitive to and aware of the importance of women's and wives' rights within the household. As a result, husbands must take full responsibility for their families. This study employs empirical legal research methods within a socio-legal and anthropo-legal approach and was conducted in four districts in Madura. The results show that women's awareness of their rights as wives in the four districts of Madura has increased significantly. This factor has also led wives to file for divorce because their husbands have not fully fulfilled their obligations. These lawsuits are interesting because they can be comprehensively and contextually understood based on religious arguments against divorce and the position of women who file for divorce. This study contributes to efforts to promote gender equality in the household by ensuring that the rights and obligations of husbands and wives are fully upheld, as these rights are guaranteed in the constitution, positive law, and Islamic law. Any form of neglect in fulfilling these rights has the potential to demean women and ultimately lead to divorce.
References
Abdul Jafar, Wahyu, and Iim Fahimah. “The Concept Of Munakahat Fiqh; Role Of Husband And Wife In Forming A Samara Family (Sakinah, Mawadah, Waromah) Version Of Dhau Al-Mishbah Fi Bayani Ahkam An-Nikah By KH. Hasyim Asy’ari.” International Journal of Educational Research & Social Sciences 3, no. 2 (April 28, 2022): 832–43. https://doi.org/10.51601/ijersc.v3i2.309.
Agusta, Acendra, Mohammad Ali Sajjad, and Miftahudin Azmi. “Legal Issues of Ganti Tikar Marriage in Bugis Wajo Custom in East Tanjung Jabung Regency.” Trunojoyo Law Review 6, no. 1 (February 29, 2024): 142–58. https://doi.org/10.21107/tlr.v6i1.23947.
Alfaizi, Muchammad Qosim. “Membangun Kesetaraan Gender Dalam Kehidupan Keluarga Perspektif Hukum Islam.” Jurnal Restorasi Hukum 5, no. 1 (June 21, 2022): 87. https://doi.org/10.14421/jrh.v5i1.2383.
Alwi Arafat, Zain, and Herman Herman. “Bimbingan Keluarga Sakinah Dalam Mewujudkan Ketahanan Keluarga (Studi Bimbingan Konseling Di Pusat Layanan Keluarga Sejahtera Potre Koneng Sumenep).” The Indonesian Journal of Islamic Law and Civil Law 4, no. 1 (April 27, 2023): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.51675/jaksya.v4i1.433.
Cindy Mutia Annur. “Kasus Perceraian Di Indonesia Melonjak Lagi Pada 2022, Tertinggi Dalam Enam Tahun Terakhir.” databoks.katadata.co.id, 2023. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2023/03/01/kasus-perceraian-di-indonesia-melonjak-lagi-pada-2022-tertinggi-dalam-enam-tahun-terakhir.
GRIJNS, Mies, and Hoko HORII. “Child Marriage in a Village in West Java (Indonesia): Compromises between Legal Obligations and Religious Concerns.” Asian Journal of Law and Society 5, no. 2 (November 5, 2018): 453–66. https://doi.org/10.1017/als.2018.9.
Gul, Ayesha, Shereen Younas Khan, Soniya Shmas, and Muhammad Humayun. “Divorce: Causes and Consequences in Islamic Perspective.” PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt / Egyptology” 18, no. 4 (2021): 6136–51. https://doi.org/https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/7236.
Hannan, Abd, and Zainuddin Syarif. “The High Rate of Judicial Divorce among Women of Lower Education in Madura-Indonesia: A Gender Perspective.” PALASTREN: Jurnal Studi Gender 16, no. 1 (June 26, 2023): 29. https://doi.org/10.21043/palastren.v16i1.15286.
Hassan, Ishraq. “Empowering Women: Understanding Divorce, Equality, and Competition between Genders.” Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities 3, no. 5 (September 30, 2023): 203–16. https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.3.5.19.
Hidayat, Eko, and Siti Mahmudah. “Understanding and Awareness of Gender Equality in Divorce and Its Contribution to Islamic Family Law Reform in Indonesia.” SMART: Journal of Sharia, Traditon, and Modernity 2, no. 1 (June 24, 2022): 59. https://doi.org/10.24042/smart.v2i1.14625.
Hidayat, Fitri. “Interpretation of Judges Toward Fasid and Batil Marriage.” Trunojoyo Law Review 1, no. 1 (February 5, 2019): 61–75. https://doi.org/10.21107/tlr.v1i1.5259.
Huda, Miftahul, Agus Purnomo, Abdul Mun’im, Lutfi Hadi Aminuddin, and Lukman Santoso. “Tradition, Wisdom and Negotiating Marriage and Inheritance Disputes on Javanese Muslim.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (May 30, 2024): 25. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i1.9887.
Huda, Mohammad Nurul, Khulasotun Nuroiyah Ummi Saadah, Cristovao Adao Da Silva, and Wahyudi Wahyudi. “Criminal Law Formulation Against Underage Child Marriage.” Trunojoyo Law Review 5, no. 2 (August 29, 2023): 144–60. https://doi.org/10.21107/tlr.v5i2.20925.
Huzaimah, Arne, Muhammad Abdillah, Nur Quma Laila, M. Tamudin, and Tri Marhaeni Puji Astuti. “Disregarding the Reproductive Rights of Women in Child Marriage in Indonesia.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 7, no. 2 (June 10, 2023): 1097. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i2.17392.
Ismail, Ismail, Busyro Busyro, Endri Yenti, Saiful Amin, and Hanif Aidhil Alwana. “Legal Age Equality in Marriage According to Indonesian Positive Law in the Studies of Gender and Maqāṣid Al-Sharia.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 15, no. 1 (July 6, 2023): 67–81. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v15i1.17696.
Ja’far, A. Kumedi, and Agus Hermanto. “Reinterpretation of the Rights and Duties of Contemporary Husbands and Wives.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 5, no. 2 (December 26, 2021): 648. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v5i2.9124.
Jaffal, Zeyad, Faisal Shawabkeh, and Ali Hadi Al Obeidi. “Toward Constructive Harmonisation of Islamic Family Law and CEDAW: A Study on the UAE’s Reservation to CEDAW Article 16 and Equal Rights to Marriage and Family Relations.” Australian Journal of Human Rights 28, no. 1 (January 2, 2022): 139–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2022.2122689.
Jufri, Muwaffiq. “Nuansa Maqhasid Al-Syariah Dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 39 Tahun 1999 Tentang Hak Asasi Manusia.” Istinbath 14, no. 1 (2017): 1–14.
Kruiniger, P. “Islamic Divorces in Europe : Bridging the Gap between European and Islamic Legal Orders.” Maastricht University, 2014. https://doi.org/10.26481/dis.20141217pk.
Lailam, Tanto, Putri Anggia, and M. Luthfi Chakim. “The Proportionality Test Models of Competing Rights Cases in the Civil and Common Law Systems: Lesson to Learn for Indonesia.” Hasanuddin Law Review 10, no. 2 (June 11, 2024): 206. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v10i2.4844.
Ma’u, Dahlia Haliah, Wagiyem Wagiyem, and Rita Mustika Rahayu. “The Construction of Cerai Manis (Prefered Divorce) on the Border of Indonesia and Malaysia Communities.” Al-’Adalah 20, no. 1 (June 27, 2023): 19. https://doi.org/10.24042/adalah.v20i1.16518.
Madina, Dinda Difia, Ahmad Rezy Meidina, and Anwar Zein. “The Dynamics of Polygamy and Divorce in Muslim Countries.” El-Aqwal : Journal of Sharia and Comparative Law 2, no. 2 (August 15, 2023): 135–48. https://doi.org/10.24090/el-aqwal.v2i2.9410.
Maimun, Maimun. “The Women’s Rights in Divorce and Gender Equality Discourse in The Dynamics of Divorce in Madura.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 1 (June 27, 2022): 468. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i1.12804.
Mashhour, Amira. “Islamic Law and Gender Equality: Could There Be a Common Ground?: A Study of Divorce and Polygamy in Sharia Law and Contemporary Legislation in Tunisia and Egypt.” Human Rights Quarterly 27, no. 2 (May 2005): 562–96. https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2005.0022.
Monavia Ayu Rizaty. “Data Jumlah Kasus Perceraian Di Indonesia Hingga 2023.” Dataindonesia.Id. 2024. https://dataindonesia.id/varia/detail/data-jumlah-kasus-perceraian-di-indonesia-hingga-2023.
Muhajir, Ahmad, and Muhammad Azryan Syafiq. “Right and Obligation Husband Wife in Perspective Islam and State Law.” Journal Analytica Islamica 12, no. 2 (December 28, 2023): 250. https://doi.org/10.30829/jai.v12i2.17546.
Muhazir, Muhazir, Azwir Azwir, and Zubir Zubir. “Legal Institutions in Resolving Divorce Cases in Aceh.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (May 30, 2024): 211. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i1.8529.
Mukhlis, Mukhlis, Raphael D. Jackson-Ortiz, Muwaffiq Jufri, Evis Garunja, and Paul Atagamen Aidonojie. “Rejection of Former Shia Community in Sampang Perspective on Human Rights Law: Discourse of Religious Rights and Freedom in Indonesia.” Lex Scientia Law Review 7, no. 2 (November 30, 2023): 959–94. https://doi.org/10.15294/lesrev.v7i2.72156.
Mukhlis, Mukhlis, Muwaffiq Jufri, Yusuf Ibrahim Arowosaiye, Evis Garunja, and Helmy Boemiya. “The Legal Culture to Prevent Radical Islamism by a Pesantren in Madura.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 16, no. 1 (June 24, 2024): 58–87. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v16i1.26216.
Musawwamah, Siti. “Divorcing Husbands as a Solution to Protect Women’s Dignity: A Case Study of Domestic Violence at Madura Religious Court.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 2 (December 31, 2022): 997. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i2.14929.
Muwaffiq Jufri. Hukum Dan Hak Asasi Manusia; Dasar Teori Dan Praktiknya. Depok: Rajawali Pers, 2023. https://www.rajagrafindo.co.id/produk/hukum-dan-hak-asasi-manusia-dasar-teori-dan-praktiknya-muwaffiq-jufri/.
Na’mah, Ulin, Mochammad Agus Rachmatullah, Husnul Yaqin, and Rezki Suci Qamaria. “Reducing the Divorce Rate in the Religious Courts Through Cultivating Egalitarian Relationships.” Khazanah Hukum 6, no. 1 (April 26, 2024): 81–97. https://doi.org/10.15575/kh.v6i1.34368.
Nasruloh, Mochomad Nadif, and Taufiq Hidayat. “Budaya Patriarki Dalam Rumah Tangga (Pemahaman Teks Al-Qur’an Dan Kesetaraan Gender).” YUDISIA : Jurnal Pemikiran Hukum Dan Hukum Islam 13, no. 1 (June 30, 2022): 139. https://doi.org/10.21043/yudisia.v13i1.14325.
Novalia, Sisca, and Arief Rachman Hakim. “Modernization of Shibhul Iddah for Men Perspective Compilation of Islamic Law.” In KnE Social Sciences, 714–26, 2024. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v9i2.15027.
Nurlaelawati, Euis. “Women’s Financial Rights after Divorce in Indonesia.” In Women and Property Rights in Indonesian Islamic Legal Contexts, Leiden Stu., 89–106. Leiden, The Netherlands: BRILL, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004386297_007.
Pitrotussaadah, Pitrotussaadah, Eva Fadhilah, and Faisal Zulfikar. “Islamic Law and Gender: A Misconception of Roles and Responsibilities in Parenting.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 15, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 331–42. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v15i2.23868.
Purna Nisa, Martina. “Critical Review of Domestic Violence as Reason for Divorce: Comparison of Divorce Laws in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives.” Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial 16, no. 1 (June 22, 2021): 1–26. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v16i1.4292.
Rahmi, Adelia Hidayatul, and Suryaningsi Suryaningsi. “Pelaku Pelanggaran Hak Asasi Manusia Pada Kasus Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga Di Kota Samarinda.” Nomos : Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Hukum 2, no. 3 (May 11, 2022): 82–92. https://doi.org/10.56393/nomos.v1i5.581.
Ramadhita, Ramadhita. “Bias Gender Dalam Hukum Acara Perceraian Di Indonesia: Latar Belakang, Dampak, Dan Solusinya.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 14, no. 1 (June 29, 2022): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v14i1.15966.
Rinaldo, Rachel, Eva F. Nisa, and Nina Nurmila. “Divorce Narratives and Class Inequalities in Indonesia.” Journal of Family Issues 45, no. 5 (May 2, 2024): 1195–1216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X231155657.
Robinson, Kathryn. “Regulation of Muslim Marriage in Indonesia: Political Challenges Across the Public/Private Divide.” In In Tandem – Pathways towards a Postcolonial Anthropology | Im Tandem – Wege Zu Einer Postkolonialen Ethnologie, 189–208. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-38673-3_11.
Ruy Cardia Atchabahian, Ana Cláudia. “Article 16 – The Right to Marry and to Found a Family.” In The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 379–94. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Nijhoff, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004365148_018.
Safi’, Paul Atagamen Aidonojie, Muwaffiq Jufri, and Evis Garunja. Bhag-Rembhag Sabhala’an as a Method of Resolving Religious Conflicts in the Madura Legal Tradition. El-Mashlahah. Vol. 14, 2024. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v14i1.7819.
Sofia Mubarokah Sa’bana, and Rusdiana Navlia. “Tingginya Angka Cerai Gugat Di Kabupaten Sumenep & Dampaknya Bagi Anak.” Al-Manhaj: Journal of Indonesian Islamic Family Law 5, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 202–23. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-manhaj.v5i2.13211.
Ssenyonjo, M. “Women’s Rights to Equality and Non-Discrimination: Discriminatory Family Legislation in Uganda and the Role of Uganda’s Constitutional Court.” International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 21, no. 3 (December 1, 2007): 341–72. https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/ebm010.
Susilawati, Susi, Baliana Amir, Muhammad Ikbal, Rafika Nur, and Sitti Fatimah Maddusila. “Manifestations of Gender Injustice in Divorced Marriages: The Kabalutan Tradition.” Jambura Law Review 5, no. 1 (January 30, 2023): 136–55. https://doi.org/10.33756/jlr.v5i1.17722.
Vasandani, Malika Rajan, Dwi Putra Nugraha, and Susi Susantijo. “Affirmative Action Study on the Political Rights of Women in the Indonesian Constitution.” Constitutional Review 8, no. 1 (May 31, 2022): 62. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev813.
Waaldijk, Kees. “The Right to Marry as a Right to Equality.” In Furthering the Frontiers of International Law: Sovereignty, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, 457–72. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill | Nijhoff, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004459892_024.
Wardatun, Atun, and Bianca J. Smith. “Woman-Initiated Divorce and Feminist Fiqh in Indonesia: Narrating Male Acts of Nushūz in Marriage.” Ulumuna 24, no. 2 (December 31, 2020): 266–95. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v24i2.416.
Zulaiha, Eni, and Ayi Zaenal Mutaqin. “The Problems of The Marriage Age Changing in Indonesia in the Perspectives of Muslim Jurists and Gender Equality.” Hanifiya: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama 4, no. 2 (August 13, 2021): 99–108. https://doi.org/10.15575/hanifiya.v4i2.13538.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Akhmad Farid Mawardi Sufyan, Kamil Strzępek (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Similar Articles
- Ololade Adejoke Olateru-Olagbegi, Akin O. Oluwadayisi, Global Efforts to Combat Child Sexual Abuse: An Examination of International Instruments and Their Implications , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Rini Jarwati Indah N. C, Dhea Zeftyaningrum, Richo Febria Putra, Dio Ashar Wicaksana, Freedom of Expression in the Spread of Hoax News on Social Media Between Indonesia and South Korea , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 1 No. 3 (2024): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Naufal Rizqiyanto, Sulastri Sangadji, Rikki Hendrawan, The Intervention of Government in Rector Selection and Its Impact on Academic Freedom in Higher Education Institutions , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Moh. Widadun Ni'am, Milasari Milasari, Reni Prasetia Nurmawati, Implementing Village Head Election in Madura: Balancing Democratization with Traditional Violence , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Paul Atagamen Aidonojie, Eregbuonye Obieshi, Esther Chetachukwu Aidonojie, Ismaila Hassan, Joshua John Damina, The Increase of Child Labour in Nigeria: Legal Custody of Victim by the Nigerian Government as a Panacea , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 1 No. 3 (2024): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Giao Vũ Công , Ngân Nguyễn Duy Hà, Community Reintegration of Juvenile Offenders in Vietnam: Public Perceptions, Legal Framework, and Lessons from Indonesia , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Siti Nursyafiqah Binti Hamdan, Rohaida Binti Nordin, Critique Against the Government: Freedom of Speech and Expression in Malaysia , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Ainun Najib, Umar Umar, Abim Bhakti, Prika Fatikasari, Aminah Nur Kauthar Binti Zawawi, Regulation on Freedom of Expression on Social Media in Indonesia and Malaysia , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Ousu Mendy, Constitutional Amendments in Indonesia: An Analytical Perspective of the Reformation Agenda , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
- Rozana Sukma Dewi, Avien Zakaria, Aghnia Safana Ilmi, Ethical Supervision of Judges to Improve the Integrity of the Constitutional Court , Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law: Vol. 1 No. 3 (2024): Journal of Indonesian Constitutional Law
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
![](https://i.ibb.co.com/QHRW9FN/logo-road.png"){kind=logo}
