Research conducted by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) found that local values impede women’s progression and participation in the country’s politics.

LIPI found that cultural barriers, founded on patriarchal values adhered to by traditional ethnic communities in the country had limited women at the local political level.

“In general, [patriarchal values] are still dominant in our society. Women who are active in public life can be easily found in big cities. However, in rural areas they remain in the domestic sphere,” LIPI senior researcher Syamsuddin Haris said on Wednesday.