UNU Jogja Holds Meeting with KemenPPPA to Discuss “Transforming Masculinities” International Conference with Minister Arifah Fauzi

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Ahead of the 2027 International Conference, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), together with Rifka Annisa Women’s Crisis Center, Aliansi Laki-Laki Baru (ALB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), as members of the steering committee, paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi on Sunday, September 27.

The visit was held to explore collaboration for the international conference titled “Transforming Masculinities,” which will take place on February 5–6, 2027, in Yogyakarta.

“Alhamdulillah, the Minister welcomed the conference plan and expressed her enthusiasm. She stated that the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection is willing to be part of the conference and also expressed her readiness to officially open the event,” said Suharti, Head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (PPKPT) at UNU Jogja.

Suharti said the conference would serve as a space for consolidating knowledge, experiences, critical reflections, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to strengthen the knowledge, practices, and networks needed to transform masculinities in Indonesia. She noted that the discussion is relevant to growing attention to various gender-related issues in Indonesia, including violence against women, democracy, climate change, religion, and the media.

“UNU Yogyakarta, represented by the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Education, and the PPKPT Task Force, will take part in organizing this conference. We hope the conference can bring together academics, practitioners, and government representatives to discuss toxic masculinity and its impact on various social issues,” she said.

She explained that the theme of the conference highlights the importance of men’s involvement in transforming power relations. According to her, various studies, program practices, community initiatives, and public policies have shown that transforming gender relations cannot be achieved without involving men as agents of change, while also critically examining the norms, values, and social structures that shape the way people think and act.

“Discourse on masculinity and men’s involvement in transforming power relations is becoming increasingly important,” she stressed.

The conference will bring together academics, researchers, civil society organizations, practitioners, communities, professional service providers, media representatives, and policymakers. It is expected to facilitate cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange, produce a Book of Abstracts and opportunities for scholarly publication subject to editorial selection, generate strategic and policy recommendations, strengthen networks, and contribute to the development of future research and programs.

The conference is also inviting submissions through a Call for Abstracts from academics, researchers, practitioners, students, activists, and other parties whose work is relevant to the conference themes and subthemes. Abstract submissions are open until October 31, 2026. Abstracts must be written in English and be 200–300 words long. All submissions will be reviewed by the Conference Scientific Committee.

Further information and registration are available at https://rifka-annisa.org/conference/.

Reporter: Latifah