Global Survey: Indonesia and Malaysia Most Agree Wives Should Obey Husbands

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Progress on gender equality issues in Indonesia and Malaysia has not erased the fundamental values and norms long upheld by both countries.

A recent global study shows that the majority of people in Indonesia and Malaysia still firmly hold traditional views, including on the role of wives in the household.

The majority of wives in both countries still agree with the statement that “wives must obey their husbands.” This conclusion comes from a survey conducted by Ipsos in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London.

This phenomenon indicates that although women’s participation in the economic sector is increasing, social norms at the household level remain entrenched.

Majority Agree Wives Must Obey and Decisions Remain in Husbands’ Hands

The survey was conducted with over 23,000 respondents in 29 countries, including Singapore, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, on gender roles and their views on norms. The results show that 66% of respondents in Indonesia and 60% in Malaysia agree that wives should always obey their husbands.

Not only that, similar views also emerge in household decision-making. 67% of respondents in Indonesia and 58% in Malaysia believe that husbands should have the final say in important family matters.

These figures are the highest compared to other countries in the survey, indicating the strength of patriarchal norms in both countries.

Patriarchy itself is defined as a social or cultural system that places men as the primary holders of power, dominating leadership roles, moral authority, and social rights.

In this structure, men are often considered superior and women are sidelined. However, this system does not always operate in that way.

A researcher from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Mohd Faizal Musa, says this finding is not surprising. According to him, strong Eastern cultural values, including those related to Islamic teachings, still greatly influence societal views on gender roles.

However, he also emphasises that gender dynamics in Southeast Asia cannot be simplified as merely conservative or not. In certain contexts, such as the Perpatih adat among Malay communities, women actually hold stronger positions in the social structure.

Perpatih adat is a traditional customary system and code of life based on matrilineal descent (maternal lineage), which even prioritises women in inheritance.

Women Advance in Careers, But Social Norms Lag Behind

On the other hand, positive developments are evident in the economic aspect. The governments of Indonesia and Malaysia are promoting increased female participation in the workforce.

Indonesia, for example, targets a female labour force participation rate of 70% by 2045, up from around 56% in 2024.

Meanwhile, Malaysia has launched a national initiative to equip at least 100,000 women with skills and job opportunities by 2030, including plans for child-friendly policies.

According to Melissa Yoong from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, gender equality policies to date have focused more on women’s economic empowerment, but have not extensively addressed changes in mindset regarding gender relations and men’s roles in society.

As a result, a paradoxical situation arises where women are increasingly accepted in public and professional spaces, but in the domestic sphere, they are still expected to submit to traditional structures. This condition further burdens women who are forced to shoulder a greater workload.

Gender equality in economic access serves as an initial gateway to deeper changes in social norms, which remains a major homework for Indonesia and Malaysia.

Japan-South Korea More Progressive, But Gender Backlash Strengthens in Asia

In contrast to Indonesia and Malaysia, the majority of women in Japan and South Korea have changed their views on gender roles in society.

Although both countries have long been known for strong political and institutional patriarchal systems, only 7% of respondents in Japan and 9% in South Korea agree that women should obey their husbands.

Nevertheless, gender inequalities persist, including wage gaps and the scarcity of women in managerial positions.

A researcher from North Carolina State University, Kyung Hee Ha, explains that individual views in both countries often do not align with existing social structures. Although society is compelled to live with patriarchal culture, they do not always internalise patriarchal norms in their personal lives.

The phenomenon of feminist backlash is also beginning to appear in various Asian countries. Economic uncertainty and rules like mandatory military service make some men feel left behind amid social changes.

The survey shows that 57% of Gen Z men feel that men are now discriminated against in gender equality efforts. This perception is reinforced by the assumption that equality has already been sufficiently achieved. In Singapore, for example, 64% of respondents believe gender equality efforts are adequate, higher than the global average of 52%.

Researchers assess that norms of masculinity shaped by state regulations encourage the view that equality is a zero-sum game, where women’s progress is seen as detrimental to men.

Advances in gender equality that emancipate women also eliminate privileges that men have long enjoyed. It is no wonder that many conservative men blame feminism and call for a return to traditional gender norms.

As a result, women are viewed as a threat, and disappointment is more often directed at women rather than the system. This risks escalating tensions to gender-based violence.