3.5. Additional Sources

Indonesian Women Are Under Increasing Pressure to Wear the Hijab

The rising religious conservatism in Indonesia has disproportionately affected girls and women in the country, with many being forced to wear the hijab, as reported by Human Rights Watch (HRW). About 75% of Muslim women in Indonesia wear the hijab, up from 5% in the late 1990s, partly due to legal decisions and social pressure. The Indonesian government issued a decree banning religious elements on student uniforms, which was later canceled by the Supreme Court, impacting girls who did not want to wear the hijab. Many women and girls face social pressure, bullying, and intimidation to comply with the dress code, and some have been forced to leave school or their jobs for refusing to wear the hijab. A petition signed by over 800 public figures calls for an end to discriminatory regulations, emphasizing the importance of women’s freedom to choose their own identity. Human Rights Watch has called on President Joko Widodo to overturn these discriminatory decrees and protect the rights of women and girls.

Source: This is an extract summarizing the article “Indonesian Women Are Under Increasing Pressure to Wear the Hijab” by Sheany, published in Women’s Media Center on August 18, 2022.