The Femininomenon of Inequality: A Data-Driven Analysis and Cluster Profiling in Indonesia
J. S. Muthmaina
TL;DR
The paper analyzes regional Workplace Gender Equality in Indonesia using IDG and IKG from 2018–2023. It applies $k=2$-means clustering to provinces to reveal two gender-profile clusters and uses heatmaps and pairplots to explore relationships with the share of female professionals. Key findings show Cluster 0 (e.g., DKI Jakarta, Central Java) has higher IDG and lower IKG, while Cluster 1 (Papua, North Maluku) has lower IDG and higher IKG, with a modest positive association between empowerment and female professional participation and a negative association between inequality and participation. The findings provide region-specific policy guidance to advance WGE and women's workforce participation, demonstrating the value of data-driven regional profiling for Indonesia.
Abstract
This study addresses the persistent challenges of Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) in Indonesia, examining regional disparities in gender empowerment and inequality through the Gender Empowerment Index (IDG) and Gender Inequality Index (IKG). Despite Indonesia's economic growth and incremental progress in gender equality, as indicated by improvements in the IDG and IKG scores from 2018 to 2023, substantial regional differences remain. Utilizing k-means clustering, the study identifies two distinct clusters of regions with contrasting gender profiles. Cluster 0 includes regions like DKI Jakarta and Central Java, characterized by higher gender empowerment and lower inequality, while Cluster 1 comprises areas such as Papua and North Maluku, where gender disparities are more pronounced. The analysis reveals that local socio-economic conditions and governance frameworks play a critical role in shaping regional gender dynamics. Correlation analyses further demonstrate that higher empowerment is generally associated with lower inequality and greater female representation in professional roles. These findings underscore the importance of targeted, region-specific interventions to promote WGE, addressing both structural and cultural barriers. The insights provided by this study aim to guide policymakers in developing tailored strategies to foster gender equality and enhance women's participation in the workforce across Indonesia's diverse regions.