Author
Mr Mohammad Ahmad Eko Susilo
Organisation/Institution
Pelita Harapan University
Country
INDONESIA
Panel
Private Law
Title
Impact of Inheritance Law Reform on Women's Economic Empowerment in Indonesia
Abstract
Inheritance law reform plays a strategic role in strengthening women's economic empowerment by increasing access to productive assets, strengthening their bargaining position within the family and society, and promoting more gender-just legal interpretation. The ownership of property and assets serves as a critical instrument for women to achieve long-term economic security, especially in the context of social vulnerability following divorce or the death of a spouse. Legal reform creates opportunities for women to independently own and control assets, which in turn enhances their financial autonomy and participation in family economic decision-making. In Indonesia, this reform is often realized not through changes in legislation but through the progressive interpretation of judicial institutions and social practices, such as the adoption of the principle of consensus (musyawarah) in the division of Islamic inheritance and the preservation of pro-women matrilineal customary systems. Nevertheless, major challenges persist due to legal pluralism among Islamic law, customary law, and civil law, each with different principles and impacts on women's inheritance rights. Inheritance law reform has proven to be effective in creating an inclusive legal framework, but its effectiveness heavily relies on increasing the legal literacy of the public and the political will to overcome persistent patriarchal norms. Thus, inheritance law reform is a crucial foundation for advancing gender equality and women's economic independence in Indonesia. Keywords: Impact of Inheritance Law Reform, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality, Pluralism of Law, Indonesia
Biography
With nearly three decades of professional experience in the semiconductor industry, I currently serve as a director overseeing both human resources and legal affairs. My role integrates strategic leadership with regulatory and organizational stewardship. Alongside my professional responsibilities, I am pursuing graduate studies in notarial law at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Pelita Harapan. My academic interests lie at the intersection of human resource development and legal frameworks, with a particular focus on how law can serve as a vehicle for advancing social welfare and institutional integrity.
