Towards the Substantive Representation of Women: A Study of the Indonesian Women's Parliamentary Caucus.

The article examines the functioning of the Indonesian women's parliamentary caucus, Kaukus Perempuan Parlemen Republik Indonesia (KPPRI), during the 2009–2014 parliamentary term and its impact on the substantive representation of women. It finds that poor communication within the caucus, influenced by strict party control and the influx of newcomers from business backgrounds less committed to gender equality, hindered collective action, weakened ties with women's civil society organizations, and resulted in capacity-building activities that did not meet female MPs’ needs. The study highlights that the mere existence of a women's caucus is insufficient; active communication, shared goals, and collective work are essential for advancing feminist legislation and sustaining substantive representation of women in parliament. This research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by women's parliamentary caucuses in consolidating democratic reforms and promoting gender equality in legislative processes.