Negotiating Gender Equality: NU Scholars’ Perceptions of Women’s Role in Sumenep

Abstract

The 1997 National Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Scholars in Lombok issued a groundbreaking fatwā permitting women to hold the position of vice president—a progressive step in advanc­ing gender justice within Islamic discourse. However, at the grassroots level, gender segregation remains deeply entrenched, particularly in Sumenep Regency. This study explores how NU feminists in Su­menep negotiate their struggle for gender equality and how local kiai and religious scholars respond to these efforts. Employing a qualita­tive approach with data collected through literature review, observa­tion, interviews, and documentation, this research is framed by Is­lamic feminist theory. The findings reveal that gender discourse in NU Sumenep remains weak when confronted with the religious authority of kiai and traditional scholars. Their ambivalent and skeptical re­sponses toward gender equality activism indicate that the discourse promoted by the NU Central Board (PBNU) has not been effectively internalized at the local level. Furthermore, the absence of pesantren-based initiatives on gender awareness perpetuates gender segregation, resulting in unequal competencies and opportunities between male and female students. This study highlights the gap between NU’s pro­gressive theological discourse and its limited cultural translation among rural communities.