Indonesian Women and Local Politics: Islam, Gender and Networks in Post-Suharto Indonesia

In an important social change, female Muslim political leaders in Java have enjoyed considerable success in direct local elections following the fall of Suharto in Indonesia. Indonesian Women and Local Politics shows that Islam, gender, and social networks have been decisive in their political victories. Islamic ideas concerning female leadership provide a strong religious foundation for their political campaigns. However, their approach to women's issues shows that female leaders do not necessarily adopt a woman's perspectives when formulating policies. This new trend of Muslim women in politics will continue to shape the growth and direction of democratization in local politics in post-Suharto Indonesia and will color future discourse on gender, politics, and Islam in contemporary Southeast Asia.

"Its scholarship is impressive... The book is thus highly stimulating and a work of interest beyond the study of contemporary political developments in Indonesia." - Wendy Mee, La Trobe University

"...the book is a valuable contribution filling an important gap in the literature and should be on the reading lists of those interested in the issues of women studies and local politics in developing countries." - Mohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin, Western Sydney University

"...the book provides an in-depth analysis of the changing political landscape, Islam’s view on women, and changing perceptions on gender." - Dina Afrianty, Australian Catholic University