Jurnal Perempuan

Jurnal Perempuan, also known as the Indonesian Feminist Journal, is an Indonesian academic and public-facing publication devoted to feminist scholarship, gender studies, and women’s rights. It was established in 1996 by Gadis Arivia, Ida Dhani, Toeti Heraty, and Asikin Arif through the Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan foundation. The publication is widely described as Indonesia’s first feminist academic journal. The journal developed from a small bulletin that Gadis Arivia created in 1994 for students in her University of Indonesia course on feminist and philosophical paradigms. At the time, Indonesian-language materials on feminism were difficult for students to obtain. The bulletin was produced in runs of roughly 200 copies, but its circulation model changed when the founders created a formal foundation capable of publishing a recurring journal. The first issue under the name Jurnal Perempuan appeared in August 1996 and addressed violence against women. The publication began under difficult political and commercial conditions. It operated from Arivia’s home in Jakarta, relied on unpaid volunteers, and initially sold fewer than fifty copies, with many copies distributed free of charge. Distribution was also constrained by the limited recognition of gender studies and by booksellers’ perception that the journal was commercially unviable. When Gramedia stores began carrying it, copies were reportedly placed in general-interest or cooking sections rather than in an academic or social-issues category. The journal’s editors responded through direct promotion and informal efforts to make the publication more visible to shoppers. Its first paid staff were hired in 1997. Jurnal Perempuan gained wider public attention in 1998. Several people connected with the foundation, including Arivia and astronomer Karlina Leksono Supelli, were arrested during demonstrations by Suara Ibu Peduli, or Voice of Caring Mothers. The movement protested the government’s handling of the Asian Financial Crisis, using the rising price of milk as a prominent public issue. Media coverage surrounding the arrests helped raise the journal’s profile, and reported sales rose to approximately 5,000 copies. By 2007, the journal was available through most Indonesian bookstores, although its circulation had declined to about 2,000 copies. The publication’s subject matter has included women and religion, sexual violence, health and sexuality, law and human rights, women’s participation in society and politics, women in conflict areas, and ecofeminism. Its issues commonly use a thematic editorial structure and combine scholarly analysis with an accessible or popular-science style. In addition to the journal, the foundation has supported radio programming, documentary films, workshops, training, and books dealing with women’s rights and related social issues. It has also received grant support from organizations including the Ford Foundation and The Asia Foundation. Leadership changed over time as the organization became more institutionalized. Mariana Amiruddin served as editor-in-chief from 2008 and also led the foundation as executive director. Dewi Candraningrum became editor-in-chief in 2014, while Nazmiyah Sayuti assumed the executive-director role. Atnike Nova Sigiro became executive director in 2017. During her tenure, the organization published its 100th issue, reflecting on developments in Indonesia’s women’s movement since 1998. By its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2021, Jurnal Perempuan had published 110 issues and 610 articles. As of 2026, Patricia Beata Kurnia is identified as editor-in-chief, and the journal is accredited SINTA 3 by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education for the 2024–2028 period.

Jurnal Perempuan originated in a 1994 bulletin created by Gadis Arivia for students taking her feminism and philosophy course at the University of Indonesia. Arivia developed the bulletin because students had difficulty finding Indonesian-language material on feminism. Its early production was small, with approximately 200 copies per issue. Arivia later worked with Ida Dhani, Toeti Heraty, and Asikin Arif to establish Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan, giving the project a formal legal and organizational basis. The founders obtained a publication permit during the New Order period under President Suharto. The first issue of the renamed Jurnal Perempuan appeared in August 1996, focusing on violence against women. It is regarded as Indonesia’s first feminist academic journal. The publication initially operated from Arivia’s Jakarta home and depended on unpaid volunteers. Fewer than fifty copies of the first issue were sold, while many were distributed without charge. Commercial distribution was difficult because gender studies had limited institutional recognition and booksellers considered the journal unprofitable. Gramedia eventually stocked it, although copies were sometimes placed in miscellaneous or cooking-related sections. The editorial team undertook direct promotional efforts to attract readers. The organization hired its first paid staff in 1997. The journal’s public profile expanded during the political and economic crisis of 1998. Several people linked to the foundation, including Arivia and Karlina Leksono Supelli, were arrested during demonstrations organized by Suara Ibu Peduli. The movement drew attention to the effect of the Asian Financial Crisis on households, particularly through protests over rising milk prices. Media coverage of the arrests helped increase interest in Jurnal Perempuan, with reported sales reaching 5,000 copies. By 2007, the journal was sold in most Indonesian bookstores, although its circulation had fallen to approximately 2,000 copies. Jurnal Perempuan developed beyond a print journal. In collaboration with Internews Indonesia, its foundation began weekly radio programming on women’s issues in 1998. From 2000, it also produced documentary films addressing violence against women, women in conflict zones, and human trafficking. Other foundation activities included workshops, training, and book publication. Financial support included grants from the Ford Foundation and The Asia Foundation. Editorial and organizational leadership changed during the journal’s later development. Mariana Amiruddin served as editor-in-chief beginning in 2008 and simultaneously acted as executive director of the foundation. In 2014, Dewi Candraningrum became editor-in-chief and Nazmiyah Sayuti became executive director. The organization pursued accreditation from Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture. Atnike Nova Sigiro took over as executive director in 2017, during a period that included publication of the 100th issue. By 2021, the journal had completed twenty-five years and published 110 issues containing 610 articles. Its thematic coverage included women and religion, sexual violence, health and sexuality, law and human rights, and women’s roles in society and politics. Individual issues have also addressed themes such as ecofeminism. The publication remains active as a peer-reviewed feminist journal and educational platform. Patricia Beata Kurnia is identified as editor-in-chief as of 2026, and the journal holds SINTA 3 accreditation for the 2024–2028 period.

• 2024

  SINTA 3 accreditation period begins

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The peer-reviewed journal is accredited SINTA 3 for the 2024–2028 period.

• 2021

  Twenty-fifth anniversary

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The journal marked twenty-five years of publication with 110 issues and 610 articles.

• 2017

  Atnike Nova Sigiro becomes executive director

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  Human rights activist Atnike Nova Sigiro assumed executive leadership of the foundation.

• 2014

  Editorial and executive leadership changes

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  Dewi Candraningrum became editor-in-chief and Nazmiyah Sayuti became executive director.

• 2008

  Mariana Amiruddin becomes editor-in-chief

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  Mariana Amiruddin assumed the editorial leadership while also serving as executive director of the foundation.

• 2000

  Documentary production begins

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation began producing documentaries on issues including violence against women, conflict, and human trafficking.

• 1998

  Public profile expands during reform-era protests

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The journal received greater public attention after arrests connected with the Suara Ibu Peduli demonstrations.

• 1997

  First paid staff hired

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The organization moved beyond an entirely volunteer-based model and hired its first paid staff.

• 1996

  First Jurnal Perempuan issue published

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  The first issue appeared in August, with violence against women as its cover theme.

• 1994

  Founding bulletin created

  [1]Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org

  Gadis Arivia created a small Indonesian-language bulletin on feminism for students at the University of Indonesia.

An Indonesian feminist academic and public-education platform that connects gender research, women’s rights advocacy, and accessible social analysis.

• Academic journal · 1996

  Jurnal Perempuan thematic issues

  The core offering is a peer-reviewed Indonesian feminist journal whose issues generally center on a defined theme. Its coverage includes women and religion, sexual violence, health and sexuality, law and human rights, political and social participation, conflict, and ecofeminism. The publication combines academic research with an accessible popular-science approach.

• Educational media · 2000

  Documentary films

  Through its foundation, Jurnal Perempuan has produced documentary films dealing with women’s rights and related social problems, including violence against women, the experiences of women in conflict areas, and human trafficking.

• Broadcast and public education · 1998

  Women’s issues radio programming

  In cooperation with Internews Indonesia, the foundation developed weekly programming addressing women’s issues. The initiative extended the organization’s research and advocacy work beyond print publishing.

• Education and publishing

  Workshops, training, and books

  The foundation has also delivered workshops and training and published books connected with feminism, gender studies, and women’s rights. These activities support the journal’s broader role in public education and movement-building.

• 1998Suara Ibu Peduli

  Indonesia

  People associated with Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan helped establish Suara Ibu Peduli, or Voice of Caring Mothers, a protest movement that criticized the government’s handling of the Asian Financial Crisis and highlighted the burden of rising milk prices.

  Outcome. Several participants, including Gadis Arivia and Karlina Leksono Supelli, were arrested. Media attention surrounding the case increased public awareness of Jurnal Perempuan and was associated with a reported rise in sales.

  Source

• 2014

  Pursue formal journal accreditationStrategy

  Background

  As the publication matured, its leadership sought stronger recognition within Indonesia’s academic publishing system.

  Action taken

  The organization pursued accreditation through Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture.

  Aftermath

  The journal is identified as SINTA 3 accredited for the 2024–2028 period.

  Source

• 1998

  Extend the organization into broadcast and documentary mediaStrategy

  Background

  The foundation sought to communicate women’s issues beyond the journal’s print readership.

  Action taken

  It worked with Internews Indonesia on weekly radio programming and later developed documentary films on women’s rights issues.

  Aftermath

  The organization broadened its role from journal publishing to public education, advocacy, and movement support.

  Source

• 1996

  Create a formal foundation for feminist publishingStrategy

  Background

  The original feminist bulletin was small and connected to university teaching, while publication required a more durable legal and organizational structure.

  Action taken

  Gadis Arivia partnered with Ida Dhani, Toeti Heraty, and Asikin Arif to establish Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan and publish the renamed journal.

  Aftermath

  The foundation enabled publication of the first Jurnal Perempuan issue in August 1996 and supported later media, education, and advocacy projects.

  Source

1. 1Jurnal Perempuanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Jurnal Perempuan official websitejurnalperempuan.org