Gender mainstreaming in the policy of islamic boarding school education: A systematic literature review

Authors

  • Asnal Mala Sunan Giri University Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Uswatun Chasanah Sunan Giri University Surabaya, Inodnesia
  • Siti Marpuah Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35719/annisa.v18i1.316

Keywords:

Gender Mainstreaming, Islamic Boarding School Education, Education Policy

Abstract

Pesantren education plays a crucial role in shaping religious understanding and mindsets, including issues related to gender mainstreaming. This study aims to explore how gender influences pesantren education policies, particularly concerning efforts to mainstream gender. Using a qualitative approach with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this study utilized literature sourced from Publish or Perish, ERIC, and Google Scholar. A total of 64 relevant articles, published between 2013 and 2023, were identified and analyzed. The review examined key issues related to gender mainstreaming within the political landscape of pesantren education policies. The literature reviewed revealed diverse perspectives, particularly from Islamic feminist scholars, who attempt to unravel the complexities surrounding gender roles in Islamic educational institutions. Findings indicate that gender mainstreaming in pesantren represents a multifaceted challenge shaped by cultural, religious, and political influences. These factors significantly affect policy formulation and practical implementation within pesantren. By synthesizing various viewpoints, this study offers a deeper understanding of the relationship between gender and pesantren education. The study also highlights strategies for more effective integration of gender perspectives into educational policies. This research contributes by providing a comprehensive understanding of the cultural, religious, and political influences on gender mainstreaming in pesantren. Its findings provide a strategic basis for formulating more gender-responsive education policies and identifying best practices for integrating gender perspectives within pesantren environments.

References

Adams, M., Bell, L. A., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). (2007). Teaching for diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203940822.

Afwadzi, B., Sumbulah, U., Ali, N., & Qudsy, S. (2024). Religious moderation of Islamic university students in Indonesia: Reception of religious texts. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 80(1), 9 pages. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i1.9369

Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., Ameen, B. M. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6, 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198

Akinola, D. A., & Naidoo, P. (2024). Breaking the glass ceiling: an examination of gendered barriers in school leadership progression in South Africa. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2395342

Alfirdaus, L. K. (2019). Menajamkan perspektif gender, memberdayakan perempuan dan mencapai Sdgs (Sustainable Development Goals). EGALITA, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.18860/egalita.v13i1.8076

Almugren, H. Z., Kijas, A. C. M., Sarabdeen, M., & Binsuwadan, J. (2024). Does quality education and governance matter for women’s empowerment? The role of structural factors and governance in the MENA region. Sustainability, 16(23), 10277. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310277

Al-Qahtani, M. M. Z., Alkhateeb, T. T. Y., Mahmood, H., Abdalla, M. A. Z., & Qaralleh, T. J. O. T. (2020). The role of the academic and political empowerment of women in economic, social, and managerial empowerment: The case of Saudi Arabia. Economies, 8(2), 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies8020045

Alshdiefat, A. S., Lee, A., Sharif, A. A., Rana, M. Q., & Abu Ghunmi, N. A. (2024). Women in leadership of higher education: Critical barriers in Jordanian Universities. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2357900

Anam, S., Nyoman Sudana Degeng, I., Murtadho, N., & Kuswandi, D. (2019). The moral education and internalization of humanitarian values in pesantren: A case study from Indonesia. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 815–834. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.629726

Ananga, E. (2021). Gender responsive pedagogy for teaching and learning: The practice in ghana’s initial teacher education programme. Creative Education, 12, 848-864. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.124061

Ardhanariswari, R., & Haryanto, T. (2021). Gender equality in politics (study on the Indonesian constitutional court’s decisions on judicial review related to women’s political participation). Jurnal Dinamika Hukum, 21. https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jdh.2021.21.3.2844

Arrizal, I. S., al-Bustomi, A. Y., & Asta, N. R. D. (2025). Islam progresif Abdullah Saeed Dan relevansinya terhadap isu gender dan ekologi di Indonesia. Millatuna: Jurnal Studi Islam, 2(01), 176–192. https://doi.org/10.33752/mjsi.v2i01.8203

Aşlamacı, İ., & Kaymakcan, R. (2016). A model for Islamic education from Turkey: The Imam-Hatip schools. British Journal of Religious Education, 39(3), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2015.1128390

Azmy, A. S., & Fini Pertiwi, F. (2021). Implementasi kebijakan pengarusutamaan gender (Pug) dibidang pendidikan di Kota Bogor. Marwah: Jurnal Perempuan, Agama Dan Jender 1, 9,(2), 160. https://doi.org/Https://Doi.Org/10.24014/Marwah.V19i2.10699

Backman-Levy, J. K., & Greene, M. E. (2024). Gender-transformative programmes: A framework for demonstrating evidence of social impact. BMJ global health, 9(5), e014203. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014203

Baker, M., & Clegg, S. (2023). Policies and practices of gender-based equality and diversity in Australian project-based organizations. Project Leadership and Society, 4, 100087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2023.100087

Balasubramanian, P., Ibanez, M., Khan, S., & Sahoo, S. (2024). Does women's economic empowerment promote human development in low- and middle-income countries? a meta-analysis. World Development, 178, Article 106588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106588

Batara, M. A., Ngo, J. M., Sy, K. A., & Erasga, D. (2018). Second generation gender bias: The effects of the invisible bias among mid-level women managers. Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 18(2), Article 11. https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1171

Bech-Pedersen, P., & Carl, C. (2024). Compromise and consensus: Toward a two-track model of deliberation. Political Studies, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00323217241297026

Bingham, A. J. (2023). From data management to actionable findings: A five-phase process of qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231183620

Bøe, M. H. (2020). Controversies, complexities and contexts: Teaching Islam through internal feminist critique of the religion. Religions, 11(12), 662. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11120662

Cairney, P., Timonina, I., & Stephan, H. (2023). How can policy and policymaking foster climate justice? A qualitative systematic review. Open research Europe, 3, 51. https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.15719.2

Cardozo, M. T. A. L., Affiat, R. A., Zaman, F., Irawani, M., & Srimulyani, E. (2022). Silent struggles: Women education leaders’ agency for peacebuilding in Islamic schools in post-conflict Aceh. Journal of Peace Education, 19(2), 158–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/17400201.2022.2052826

Chigbu, U. E., Atiku, S. O., & Du Plessis, C. C. (2023). The science of literature reviews: Searching, identifying, selecting, and synthesising. Publications, 11(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications11010002

Conzon, V. M. (2023). The equality policy paradox: Gender differences in how managers implement gender equality related policies. Administrative Science Quarterly, 68(3), 648-690. https://doi.org/10.1177/00018392231174235

Dahlum, S., Knutsen, C. H., & Mechkova, V. (2022). Women’s political empowerment and economic growth. World Development, 156, Article 105822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105822

Dilli, S., Carmichael, S. G., & Rijpma, A. (2018). Introducing the historical gender equality index. Feminist Economics, 25(1), 31–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/13545701.2018.1442582

Erviana, A. (2021). Gender dalam pesantren: Studi konstruksi sosial gender dalam tradisi ndalem di pesantren darussalam Mekarsari Lampung. UIN Syarif Hidayatullah.

Erwani, I., & Siregar, A. S. (2024). The role of women in Islamic sacred texts: A critical study of women’s narratives and authority in Islamic tradition. Pharos Journal of Theology, 106.1. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.6

Faisal, F., Hapsari, M. A., Joseph, C., & Pramono Sari, M. (2024). Sustainable development goals on gender equality disclosure practices of Indonesian companies. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2362423

Frampton, G. K., Livoreil, B., & Petrokofsky, G. (2017). Eligibility screening in evidence synthesis of environmental management topics. Environmental Evidence, 6(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-017-0102-2

Guerrero, M. A., & Puerta, L. G. (2023). Advancing gender equality in schools through inclusive physical education and teaching training: A systematic review. Societies, 13(3), 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13030064

Gupta, G. R., Grown, C., Fewer, S., et al. (2023). Beyond gender mainstreaming: Transforming humanitarian action, organizations and culture. International Journal of Humanitarian Action, 8, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-023-00138-1

Jakimow, T., Gomez, M., Gunasekera, V., Harahap, A. F., Siahaan, A. Y., Vanniasinkam, N., … Yumasdaleni. (2023). Broken pathways to politics: Clearing a path from grassroots to representative politics. Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 44(3), 336–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/1554477X.2023.2174367

Kamila, S. T, & Wahjono, S. I. (2024). Model kepemimpinan di lembaga pendidikan islam di Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12931.92964

Kark, R., & Buengeler, C. (2024). Wo∼Men and leadership: Re-thinking the state of research on gender and leadership through waves of feminist thinking. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 31(3), 245-266. https://doi.org/10.1177/15480518241257105

Kataeva, Z., Durrani, N., Izekenova, Z., & Roshka, V. (2024). Thirty years of gender mainstreaming: Evolution, development, and future research agenda through a bibliometric approach. Women's Studies International Forum, 107, 103010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.103010

Khalifa, R., & Scarparo, S. (2021). Gender responsive budgeting: A tool for gender equality. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 79, 102183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2020.102183

Khamzina, Z., Buribayev, Y., Taitorina, B., Yessengazieva, A., & Kuttygalieva, A. (2022). Towards nondiscrimination and gender equality: The role of international labor standards. Sustainability, 14(9), 5349. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095349

Kusmana, K. (2019). The qur’an, woman and nationalism in Indonesia: Ulama perempuan’s moral movement. Al-Jami'ah: Journal of Islamic Studies, 57(1), 83-116. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2019.571.83-116

Martuza, J. (2024). A registered report on gender bias in interpersonal dishonesty: Are females and males cheated differently? Social Psychological and Personality Science, 16(6), 706-715. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506241285079

Massouti, A., Shaya, N., & Qareiny, S. M. A. (2024). Exploring the nexus between female school leaders' perceptions of distributed instructional leadership, socio-cultural dynamics, and student achievement in the Arab world. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 7, 100372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100372

Mifsud, D. (2024). Social Justice and Equity in Education and Schooling, Schooling for Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion: Problematizing Theory, Policy and Practice, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-758-620241001

Mohd Nor, A., Ab Hamid, Z., & Ramli, L. E. (2024). Human trafficking from the Islamic perspective. International Journal of Religion, 5(7), 501–514. https://doi.org/10.61707/g9xw9y85

Morgan, R., Garrison-Desany, H., Hobbs, A. J., & Wilson, E. (2022). Strengthening effectiveness evaluations through gender integration to improve programs for women, newborn, child, and adolescent health. Global health action, 15(sup1), 2006420. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2006420

Morgenroth, T., & Ryan, M. K. (2021). The effects of gender trouble: An integrative theoretical framework of the perpetuation and disruption of the gender/sex binary. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 16(6), 1113–1142. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691620902442

Mpuangnan, K. N. (2024). Teacher preparedness and professional development needs for successful technology integration in teacher education. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2408837

Muhia, N., & Abuya, B. (2024). Equality in Programming for girls and boys: Adolescents’ shared experiences from an after-school support program in Urban Nairobi. J. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 14(1), 212-227. https://doi.org/10.5590/jerap.2024.14.1.14

Muluk, S. (2014). “Women and leadership in Islamic higher education in Indonesia. Englisia Journal, 1(2). https://doi.org/Https://Doi.Org/10.22373/Ej.V1i2.27

Nandi, A., Hader, T., & Das, T. (2024). Gender stereotypes and bias in english language school textbooks: Reflection from literature review across different countries. An-Nisa Journal of Gender Studies, 17(2), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.35719/annisa.v17i2.320

Nawas, A., Darmawan, I. G. N., & Maadad, N. (2024). Single-sex “pesantren” schools: Unravelling girls’ and boys’ peer connections and their impacts on wellbeing and learning outcomes. International Journal of Educational Research, 125, 102339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102339

Nganga, L., & Kambutu, J. (2024). Culturally responsive professional development programs for teacher educators using community-based collaborative learning: Lessons learned from a native American community. Education Sciences, 14(7), 787. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070787

Nurhayati, H. T. (2012). Hubungan kepemimpinan transformasional dan motivasi kerja. Edueksos: Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial dan Ekonomi, 1(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.24235/edueksos.v1i2.380

O’Mullane, M. (2021). Developing a theoretical framework for exploring the institutional responses to the Athena SWAN Charter in higher education institutions A feminist institutionalist perspective. Irish Journal of Sociology, 29(2), 215-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/0791603521995372

Öztürk, C. (2023). Revisiting The Islam-patriarchy nexus: Is religious fundamentalism the central cultural barrier to gender equality? Zeitschrift für Religion, Gesellschaft und Politik, 7, 173–206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41682-022-00130-3

Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D. et al. (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: Updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021; 372 :n160. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160

Park, H. Y., Suh, C. H., Woo, S., Kim, P. H., & Kim, K. W. (2022). Quality reporting of systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines: Results from recently published papers in the korean journal of radiology. Korean journal of radiology, 23(3), 355–369. https://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2021.0808

Parra-Martínez, J., Gutiérrez-Mozo, M.-E., & Gilsanz-Díaz, A. (2021). Inclusive higher education and the built environment. A research and teaching agenda for gender mainstreaming in architecture studies. Sustainability, 13(5), 2565. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052565

Patino, C. M., & Ferreira, J. C. (2018). Inclusion and exclusion criteria in research studies: Definitions and why they matter. Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia: Publicacao Oficial Da Sociedade Brasileira De Pneumologia E Tisilogia, 44(2), 84. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-37562018000000088

Popenoe, R., Langius-Eklöf, A., Stenwall, E., & Jervaeus, A. (2021). A practical guide to data analysis in general literature reviews. Nordic Journal of Nursing Research, 41(4), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057158521991949

Purssell, E., & McCrae, N. (2020). How to perform a systematic literature review. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49672-2

Rashdi, S. (2024). Islamic law and human trafficking: The ethical and legal frameworks. Al-Ahkam: Jurnal Ilmu Syari’ah Dan Hukum, 9(1), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.22515/alahkam.v9i1.7824

Ridwan, A., & Susanti, E. (2019). Subordination of women and patriarchal gender relations at Islamic poor community. Masyarakat, Kebudayaan Dan Politik, 32(2), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.20473/mkp.V32I22019.159-167

Rosa, R., & Clavero, S. (2021). Gender equality in higher education and research. Journal of Gender Studies, 31(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2022.2007446

Sadeh, L. J., & Mair, J. (2024). Reinforcing political inequality through diversity initiatives: A field-level perspective. Journal of Management, 50(3), 1066–1101. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063231163579

Saleh, M. N. I. (2025). Perceptions of pesantren leaders towards Islamic moderation approaches in combating radicalism and terrorism. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2474826

Salim, N. A., Zaibi, M., Brantasari, M., Ikhsan, M., & Aslindah, A. (2025). Islamic boarding school leadership innovation: From traditional to modernization of education. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(4), 447–460. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i4.1392

Samarakoon, S., & Parinduri, R. A. (2015). Does education empower women? Evidence from Indonesia. World Development, 66, 428–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.09.002

Schech, S., & Mustafa, M. (2010). The politics of gender mainstreaming poverty reduction: An Indonesian case study. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society, 17(1), 111–135. https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxp025

Shah, W. A., & Lashari, A. (2023). Regimes of patriarchy and faith: Reflections on challenges in interviewing women and religious minorities in Pakistan. Qualitative Research Journal, 23(5), 471–484. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-02-2023-0018

Sharma, N., Chakrabarti, S., & Grover, S. (2016). Gender differences in caregiving among family - caregivers of people with mental illnesses. World journal of psychiatry, 6(1), 7–17. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v6.i1.7

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Son Hing, L. S., Sakr, N., Sorenson, J. B., Stamarski, C. S., Caniera, K., & Colaco, C. (2023). Gender inequities in the workplace: A holistic review of organizational processes and practices. Human Resource Management Review, 33(3), Article 100968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2023.100968

Srimulyani, E. (2007). Muslim women and education in Indonesia: The pondok pesantren experience. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 27, 85–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188790601145564

Susilo, S., & Dalimunthe, R. P. (2019). Moderate southeast asian Islamic education as a parent culture in deradicalization: Urgencies, strategies, and challenges. Religions, 10(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10010045

Syeed, S. (2014), Preface. Muslim World, 104: 381-382. https://doi.org/10.1111/muwo.12061

Syukri, M. (2023). Gender policies of the new developmental state: The case of Indonesian new participatory village governance. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 42(1), 110-133. https://doi.org/10.1177/18681034221149750

Tabassum, N., & Nayak, B. S. (2021). Gender stereotypes and their impact on women’s career progressions from a managerial perspective. IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, 10(2), 192-208. https://doi.org/10.1177/2277975220975513

Taber, K. S. (2024). Educational constructivism. Encyclopedia, 4(4), 1534-1552. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040100

Van Oost, P., Leveaux, S., Klein, O., & Yzerbyt, V. (2023). Gender inequality discourse as a tool to express attitudes towards Islam. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 11(2), Article e9621. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.9621

Varajão, J., Lourenço, J. C., & Gomes, J. (2022). Models and methods for information systems project success evaluation A review and directions for research. Heliyon, 8(12), e11977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11977

Varghese, F. P., Israel, T., Seymour, G., Becker Herbst, R., Suarez, L. G., & Hargons, C. (2019). Injustice in the justice system: Reforming inequities for true “justice for all”. The Counseling Psychologist, 47(5), 682-740. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019892329

Verge, T. (2021). Gender equality policy and universities: Feminist strategic alliances to re-gender the curriculum. Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 42(3), 191–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/1554477X.2021.1904763

Vreuls, J., Koeslag-Kreunen, M., van der Klink, M., Nieuwenhuis, L., & Boshuizen, H. (2022). Responsive curriculum development for professional education: Different teams, different tales. The Curriculum Journal, 33, 636–659. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.155

Waal, M. de. (2006). Evaluating gender mainstreaming in development projects. Development in Practice, 16(2), 209–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614520600562454

Widiastuti, T., Al-shami, S. A., Mawardi, I., Zulaikha, S., Haron, R., Kasri, R. A., Al Mustofa, M. U., & Dewi, E. P. (2024). Capturing the barriers and strategic solutions for women empowerment: Delphy analytical network process. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(3), 100345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100345

Wolbring, G., & Nguyen, A. (2023). Equity/equality, diversity and inclusion, and other EDI phrases and EDI policy frameworks: A scoping review. Trends in Higher Education, 2(1), 168-237. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu2010011

World Health Organization. (‎2003)‎. Gender analysis in health: A review of selected tools. World health organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42600

Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. (2019). Guidance on conducting a systematic literature review. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 39(1), 93-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X17723971

Yazdani, S., Capuano, A., Ghaziuddin, M., & Colombi, C. (2020). Exclusion criteria used in early behavioral intervention studies for young children with autism spectrum disorder. Brain Sciences, 10(2), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10020099

Zamawe, F. C. (2015). The implication of using NVivo software in qualitative data analysis: Evidence-based reflections. Malawi Medical Journal, 27(1), 13–15. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v27i1.4

Downloads

Published

2025-06-23

How to Cite

Mala, A., Chasanah, U. ., & Marpuah, S. (2025). Gender mainstreaming in the policy of islamic boarding school education: A systematic literature review. An-Nisa Journal of Gender Studies, 18(1), 37-54. https://doi.org/10.35719/annisa.v18i1.316

Similar Articles

1-10 of 81

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.