SEMARANG — Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive academic environment through the establishment of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. Operating under the coordination of the UNNES Center of Disability under the Rector Decree No.19/2025 about fair, equal, and anti-descrimination academic culture environment and UNNES Rector Decree B/5003/UN37/KP.00.00/2025 about inclusive and anti-discrimination campus, the committee works closely with university leadership to advance institutional policies, initiatives, and capacity-building programmes that promote equal opportunities, human rights, and mutual respect. Its role also includes integrating inclusive values into academic programmes, institutional governance, and everyday campus activities.
UNNES has developed a comprehensive policy framework to strengthen its commitment to equality and inclusion across the university community. This framework encompasses student ethics and behavioural standards, accessibility and assistance for students with disabilities, and the establishment of a dedicated Disability Support Unit. It also incorporates institutional mechanisms to prevent and address sexual violence, supports student organisations representing different cultural and religious backgrounds, and upholds religious freedom through the availability of worship facilities for diverse faith communities. These interconnected policies demonstrate UNNES’s efforts to create a welcoming, accessible, and supportive environment for all members of the university.
The formation of the EDI Committee further strengthens various initiatives that UNNES has undertaken in research, intercultural engagement, and community empowerment. Through these activities, the university encourages meaningful participation from women and individuals representing diverse social and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that their perspectives are acknowledged and incorporated into academic discussions and wider public discourse.
A notable example of this commitment is the university’s partnership with Solidaritas Perempuan Flobamoratas in a research project exploring women’s interpretations of belis, a traditional bride-price practice in East Nusa Tenggara. Conducted from June to December 2025, the project engages ten women writers representing Flores, Sumba, Timor, Alor, Rote, and Sabu. Through creative writing, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews, participants share personal experiences and perspectives on cultural practices and gender relations. By amplifying women’s voices in discussions historically influenced by predominantly male viewpoints, the research aims to encourage more inclusive interpretations of cultural heritage. The project is expected to produce academic publications, public-oriented articles, and an anthology of short stories, contributing to broader conversations about women’s representation and gender equality.
Another initiative reflecting UNNES’s commitment to inclusive participation is the Sarasehan Selasa Legen, a regular cultural and intellectual discussion forum. First introduced in 2008 and reactivated in early 2024 following its suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, the forum provides a platform for exchanging ideas on culture, society, and contemporary issues. Gender representation is an important consideration in selecting speakers and moderators, with organisers actively encouraging women’s involvement. By creating opportunities for diverse perspectives to be heard, the forum seeks to challenge male-dominated narratives and promote more balanced participation in intellectual and cultural exchanges.
Beyond campus-based programmes, UNNES also advances gender equality through community outreach and empowerment initiatives. One example is a community service programme conducted by the Faculty of Law in Boja Village, where gender equality is addressed alongside family well-being and social development. The programme demonstrates how principles of equal rights and women’s empowerment can be incorporated into community-level initiatives to encourage more equitable family and social relationships.
