A progressive and inclusive academic ecosystem must recognize the multifaceted role of women, especially as mothers. Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) stands at the forefront of such change, prioritizing women’s participation through maternity policies, infrastructure, data-driven awareness, and direct support aligned with Indonesian regulatory standards.
UNNES’s maternity policy draws upon several national and ministerial directives, most notably Law No. 4 of 2024 on Mother and Child Healthcare in the First One Thousand Days of Life, which grants working mothers a minimum of three months of paid maternity leave (extendable to six months for health-related reasons). The regulation, mandated and monitored by both the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) and the Ministry of Manpower, guarantee protection, equal opportunity, and sufficient recovery time for mothers in academic settings. Institutional compliance is not optional: universities are obligated to provide facilities and policies that support both pregnant and nursing women.
UNNES has issued Circular Letter No. B/28401/UN37/RT.02/2024 which requires every faculty and unit to provide lactation rooms and uphold standards set in the Indonesian Ministry of Health Regulation No. 15 of 2013. The regulation covers hygiene, privacy, and accessibility. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers can care for their children while actively participating in campus life.
Dedicated Facilities and Support Programs
Demonstrating commitment to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), UNNES makes breastfeeding corners or lactation rooms available in every faculty, as reinforced by a joint initiative led by conservation clusters. These are not generic spaces: they provide privacy, comfort, and align with health regulations. All are made easy for women to fulfill both academic duties and motherhood without compromise.
- Lactation Rooms: Established across campuses, these spaces include amenities such as comfortable seating, refrigerators, and proper hygiene facilities, strictly maintained according to national guidelines.
- Awareness Campaigns: Socialization programs inform mothers and expectant women about their rights and the campus resources available. Regular seminars, like those organized at FISIP, highlight the significance of these facilities in guaranteeing maternal health and workplace equality.
- Leadership Commitment: Deans and department heads actively support initiatives to expand facilities and affirm women’s rights at UNNES.
Extended Leave and Flexible Arrangements
In line with Law No. 13 of 2003 and Government Regulation No. 78 of 2015, female staff and lecturers at UNNES are entitled to a minimum three months maternity leave, split before and after birth, at full pay. Should medical factors require an extension, policies allow further paid leave, safeguarding both physical and mental health.
UNNES encourages flexible working arrangements for academic mothers, facilitating remote participation in academic activities when necessary. This adaptive approach upholds educational continuity while honoring important moments of motherhood.
