Vol 3 No 2 (2025): Equality: Journal of Gender, Child, and Humanity

Loneliness is an emotional condition that negatively impacts psychological well-being, particularly among housewives who often experience limited social interaction. This study aims to identify the causes of loneliness and explore the application of self-compassion as a strategy to alleviate it, focusing on housewives in Hakim Wih Ilang Village, Bandar District, Bener Meriah Regency. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, with data collection involving in-depth interviews and observations of seven key informants, all of whom are widows. The results show that loneliness among housewives is influenced by feelings of isolation, a lack of emotional closeness, minimal social support, and the burden of responsibilities. Self-compassion was applied through practices such as self-acceptance, kindness toward oneself, recognizing that suffering is part of the human experience, and mindfulness. The improvement of self-compassion is facilitated through self-reflection, religious activities, and community support. The findings suggest that strengthening self-compassion, particularly through an Islamic counseling approach, is crucial in supporting the mental health of housewives in rural areas. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of community-based empowerment programs to enhance the psychological resilience of housewives, particularly in fostering a supportive environment for their well-being.

This article aims to examine the phenomenon of sexual violence that is currently prevalent in society, with a focus on the interpretation of Quranic verses related to this issue. The research employs a qualitative approach through a literature review, aiming to understand the meaning of sexual violence in the Quran and identify the factors influencing it. The findings indicate that one of the main factors contributing to sexual violence is the imbalance in power relations, superiority, and gender inequality. Zainab Al-Ghazali's interpretation of QS. Al-Baqarah 223 reveals the view that women are highly valuable and noble, likened to a field where life grows (maudi'ul walad). Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for a gender justice-based approach in understanding Quranic verses to support the prevention of sexual violence and raise awareness of the importance of respecting women's rights in society.

Toddlers, as the nation’s future generation, are in a crucial developmental stage between the ages of 0–6 years. However, the increasing incidence of sexual abuse among toddlers indicates a critical lack of understanding and implementation of developmentally appropriate early childhood sex education. This condition calls for a critical examination of the appropriate timing and approach to strengthening children’s gender identity. This study aims to analyze the importance of reinforcing gender identity in toddlers during the phallic stage based on psychosexual development theory. The research method employed is a qualitative literature review, examining relevant books and scholarly articles. The findings indicate that the phallic stage plays a significant role in the formation of healthy gender identity through children’s processes of identification and understanding of gender roles. Appropriate sex education during this stage can serve as a preventive measure against sexual violence and sexual deviation. This study contributes a conceptual foundation for educators and parents in designing early childhood sex education aligned with children’s psychological development.

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pergeseran pemahaman dan pelaksanaan masa iddah dalam masyarakat Muslim yang dipengaruhi oleh kuatnya adat dan tradisi lokal, khususnya dalam praktik ritual kematian seperti selametan dan tahlilan. Fokus kajian diarahkan pada ketegangan antara ketentuan syariat Islam yang menekankan kehormatan perempuan, kejelasan nasab, dan masa pemulihan pascapernikahan dengan praktik budaya yang telah mengakar di masyarakat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan etnografi yang diperkaya melalui observasi lapangan dan kajian literatur fikih. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengabaian masa iddah tidak semata-mata disebabkan oleh faktor individu, melainkan dipengaruhi oleh dominasi adat, tekanan sosial, serta pertimbangan ekonomi. Tradisi selametan sering kali lebih diprioritaskan dibandingkan kepatuhan terhadap ketentuan iddah, sehingga nilai syariat menjadi terpinggirkan. Penelitian ini menawarkan solusi integratif berupa penguatan edukasi fikih keluarga, peran aktif tokoh agama dan pemerintah desa, serta penyederhanaan tradisi agar selaras dengan ajaran Islam.

This study aims to analyze the double burden experienced by fisherwomen and the role of family communication patterns in the context of childrearing in Warulor Village. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, the findings reveal that fisherwomen bear a dominant double burden encompassing domestic responsibilities, economic contributions through fish marketing, as well as financial management and child care. Family communication patterns tend to be unequal and lack openness, particularly regarding financial issues, which encourages women to conceal economic difficulties, including indebtedness, as an adaptive strategy to maintain family stability. However, this communication strategy increases women’s psychological burden and has the potential to intensify marital conflict when financial problems are disclosed. Moreover, instructive and pressure-laden communication patterns affect mother–child relationships and influence children’s emotional and behavioral development. This study concludes that family communication plays a crucial role in maintaining patriarchal structures while simultaneously reinforcing the double burden borne by fisherwomen. The contribution of this study lies in strengthening family communication and gender studies within coastal communities by positioning communication as a key dimension for understanding power relations, women’s burdens, and their implications for child well-being.

The gender pay gap is a labor market phenomenon that reflects gender-based structural inequality and remains a serious challenge in efforts to achieve social justice. Wage differences between men and women are often not fully explained by productivity, education, or work experience, indicating the presence of systemic discrimination. This study aims to analyze the gender pay gap from the perspective of Islamic economics by emphasizing the principles of justice (al-‘adl), equality (al-musawah), and welfare. The research employs a library research method with a qualitative normative approach through thematic analysis of Islamic economic literature, academic journals, statistical data, as well as Qur’anic sources and scholarly perspectives. The findings reveal that the gender pay gap is influenced by structural discrimination, social norms, and the weak implementation of equitable wage systems. This study contributes to strengthening the normative framework of Islamic economics as an ethical and conceptual foundation for formulating fair and gender-equitable wage policies.