Author
Ms Anastasia Mandy Josephine
Organisation/Institution
Universitas Pelita Harapan, Faculty of Law
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
I am a law student at Universitas Pelita Harapan who has a passion for understanding how law can promote social welfare and justice. Over the past two years, I have been actively involved in the National Law Moot Court Community (NLMCC), where I contributed as the secretary as well as part of the organizing and academic divisions. Through this experience, I learned to work collaboratively in planning workshops and legal discussions, which deepened my understanding of Indonesian legal practice and improved my communication and leadership skills. Additionally, I have been part of the International Law Moot Court Community (ILMCC) for a year, where I gained exposure to global legal perspectives and international legal systems. Academically, I have co-authored a journal article under the subjects of Administrative Law and International Law, discussing the regulation of import and export of bottled mineral water (AMDK) in Indonesia, published in a SINTA 3-accredited journal. My research interests include health law and bankruptcy law, two seemingly different areas that reflect my curiosity about how legal systems affect both public well-being and economic stability. Although I once aspired to become a doctor, studying law has allowed me to see how legal frameworks can also serve to protect human welfare and advance social good. I am committed to continuing research that bridges law, health, and development, aiming to contribute to more equitable and sustainable policy reform in Indonesia.
