Balinese Women, Gender, and Violence in Postmodern Bali

Balinese women are born into an Eastern cultural and social system that is very different from the Western cultural and social environment. This aspect is a significant aspect that causes women in Bali in particular and in Indonesia in general to be often seen as marginalized, neglected, backward, and undeveloped. Gender inequality still occurs for Balinese women in the modern era like this; they are also victims of physical, psychological, and sexual violence. If this continues to happen, there will be an even greater inequality between women and men, where women are always in a weak position. In this regard, the general conditions need to be traced back to the historical dynamics of Balinese culture and society itself. Significant questions arise, including, firstly, why the role or position of Balinese women is important; secondly, how the process of marginalization of the position of Balinese women is; and thirdly, how the position of Balinese women who are at a crossroads should be interpreted in an effort to understand their role in relation to the issues of gender, power, and politics. The research was conducted in Tabanan Regency by collecting data on violence against women through interviews, literature review, and documentation. The data obtained were studied using gender theory. The results of this study show that there was an increase in cases of violence against women in Tabanan Regency, from 15 cases in 2023 to 28 cases in 2024. Through the results of this study, it is hoped that all parties concerned will be more aware and work together to protect women from acts of violence that occur and that Balinese women can show their roles as equals. Prioritizing aspects of human rights, this study is expected to contribute to the study of women, gender, and power in Bali in particular and in the global world in general.