Gender Equality among the Sasak Indigenous Community in the Practice of Merariq Kodeq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v6i5.3426Keywords:
gender, legal protection, Merariq Kodeq, Sasak indigenous communityAbstract
The practice of merariq kodeq, a form of child marriage commonly carried out through elopement or without the full and free consent of the parties involved, remains prevalent in West Nusa Tenggara and frequently results in violations of women's fundamental rights, particularly in the areas of education, health, and social participation. This study aims to examine the implementation of legal frameworks designed to reduce the occurrence of merariq kodeq and to evaluate the extent of legal protection afforded to women's rights within this practice among the Sasak indigenous community. The research employs a normative juridical approach, supported by interview data obtained from Sasak customary leaders. The findings reveal that the government has enacted several legal instruments intended to curb the practice of merariq kodeq, including Law No. 16 of 2019 on Marriage and the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2021 on the Prevention of Child Marriage. The study finds, however, that the implementation and dissemination of these regulations have not been sufficiently effective, resulting in the continued prevalence of merariq kodeq within the community. With regard to the protection of women's rights, legal safeguards remain largely normative in nature, while customary norms frequently overlook the principle of women's free and informed consent. Women's access to education and reproductive health services also remains limited and inadequate. This study recommends greater integration between national legal frameworks and the transformation of customary law through the strengthening of the roles of customary leaders and local governments in mediation processes, the clarification of marriage dispensation mechanisms, and the provision of legal education aimed at empowering women as agents of social change. Future research is encouraged to adopt an empirical approach in order to assess the effectiveness of existing policies at the level of indigenous communities.
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