Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest proportion of women in senior management positions in Asia, with 36% according to the Women in Business 2024 report. In contrast, South Korea ranks lowest among OECD countries in the Glass Ceiling Index 2023, with only 19%. These notable differences raise an inquiry into how gendered expectations are constructed within educational structures and leadership discourses, particularly in school-based curricula.
This study adopts a qualitative methodology informed by Stuart Hall's theory of representation, Chandra Mohanty's postcolonial feminism, and intersectionality theory. It analyzes official educational materials published by both governments at the secondary level, including national curricula, civics education guidelines, and leadership training documents. Examples include Indonesia's Pancasila and Citizenship Education modules and South Korea's middle school civics curriculum. The analysis focuses on how leadership is framed as requiring specific attributes and responsibilities, including civic engagement, ethical attitudes, and social responsibility. It further explores how such expectations are gendered and institutionalized through pedagogical practices. It draws on SDG 4.5 (gender equality in education) as a comparative benchmark and examines how global education discourses such as UNESCO's Global Citizenship Education (GCED) are interpreted and localized differently in South Korea and Indonesia. These differences show how national contexts shape the ways global education narratives are interpreted and translated into locally embedded gendered leadership pathways. By revealing how leadership discourses in education can reinforce or challenge gender inequality, the study provides practical insights for policymakers and educators striving toward SDG 4.5 and more equitable education systems.

Authors:
Seri Yoon, Waseda University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Seri Yoon is Master’s student at Waseda University focusing on economic growth and higher education under macroeconomics and education professors, exploring sustainable development and fostering economic resilience through higher education policies.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/seri-y-711ab5333

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