As a state higher education institution, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) is bound by Law Number 20 of 2003.
Article 3 of the law states that “Education shall be conducted in a democratic, equitable, and non-discriminatory manner, upholding human rights, religious values, cultural values, and national diversity.” Furthermore, Article 11 stipulates that “The Government and Regional Governments are obligated to provide services and facilities, and to ensure the implementation of quality education for every citizen without discrimination.”
Another regulation binding UNNES is Law Number 12 of 2012. Article 6 of the law states that “Higher education shall be organized on democratic and equitable principles, and shall be non-discriminatory, upholding human rights, religious values, cultural values, diversity, unity, and national integrity.”
In its student admission process, UNNES complies with the Regulation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 62 of 2023 concerning the Amendment to Regulation Number 48 of 2022 on New Student Admissions.
The new student admissions at UNNES are conducted based on the principle of fairness, meaning that no distinction is made on the basis of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, age, social status, physical condition, or economic background of applicants—while still considering the potential, academic achievements, and specific requirements of each study program.
The principle of fairness upheld by UNNES includes gender equality, ensuring that both men and women have equal rights to access educational services.
The implementation of gender equality at UNNES is reflected in two key areas: representation and protection.
Prioritizing Representation
The principle of representation is explicitly mentioned in the regulation on the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions. The regulation mandates greater representation of women, requiring that two-thirds of the members of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force must be women.
UNNES implements this regulation through the Rector’s Decree of Universitas Negeri Semarang Number on the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force. Under this decree, the Rector appointed a Task Force consisting of 15 members—11 of whom are women.
Female representation is further reinforced in Article 23, which stipulates that “The Task Force shall make decisions through deliberation and consensus, with due regard to female representation.”
Centering Women’s Perspectives
Beyond representation, UNNES also promotes gender mainstreaming through protection. In carrying out its duties, the Task Force prioritizes the involvement of female psychologists and counselors. This approach ensures that those providing psychological support and counseling possess the necessary sensitivity and advocacy for women’s perspectives and experiences.
