NEGOTIATING GENDER DISCOURSE IN COMMUNITY LEARNING SPACES: THE CASE OF SEKOLAH PEREMPUAN IN BALI

Abstract

This study examines how gender discourse is negotiated within community learning spaces through the activities of Sekolah Perempuan Kartini in Dauh Puri Kangin Village, Bali. Sekolah Perempuan represents a grassroots women’s empowerment initiative designed to strengthen gender awareness, leadership capacity, and women’s participation in community life. This research employs a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with members of Sekolah Perempuan Kartini, participatory observation of community learning sessions, and document analysis of empowerment programs conducted between 2024 and 2026. The findings indicate that Sekolah Perempuan Kartini functions as a dialogical space where women reflect on their lived experiences and discuss gender-related challenges within their community. However, the empowerment process remains constrained by patriarchal cultural norms, strong expectations regarding domestic responsibilities, and limited opportunities for women to participate in community decision-making processes. The study highlights that women’s empowerment in traditional communities occurs gradually through processes of social negotiation rather than immediate structural transformation. Community-based learning initiatives such as Sekolah Perempuan play a significant role in fostering gender awareness and strengthening women’s participation in local development.