Women's leadership communication patterns in the political areas in Lampung province Indonesia

Abstract

Patriarchal culture still dominates among women in Indonesia and several other countries, often resulting in discrimination. Although almost every country has laws regulating women's positions in the public sector, developing women's roles and positions is still slow, especially in government institutions. This research highlights the importance of women's leadership roles as potential resources for nation‐building. This research uses a holistic approach with an orientation toward natural descriptive data and a qualitative approach through a case study method. In Lampung Province, only two districts have female regional heads, namely the mayor of Bandar Lampung and the regent of Tanggamus. The study found that both leaders used communication patterns that were appropriate to local conditions: the mayor of Bandar Lampung adopted persuasive and participatory patterns, while the regent of Tanggamus used democratic and collaborative communication approaches with a focus on MSME actors and the community. These communication patterns are key to building strong relationships with constituents and achieving better development goals for the region.