Sungai Penuh – Institutional resistance continues to be the greatest obstacle to implementing gender-responsive policies across the public sector, according to a new study published by Nanik Mandasari, Mario Dirgantara, and Arieska from STIA Nusantara Sakti Sungai Penuh in the International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research in July 2026. Through a comprehensive review of international and national research, the study concludes that effective gender-responsive governance depends not only on regulations but also on institutional commitment, competent public officials, adequate funding, and organizational transformation.
Gender-responsive policymaking has become an increasingly important component of modern public administration as governments strive to ensure equal access, participation, and benefits for all members of society. Around the world, gender perspectives have been incorporated into public planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes. Despite these efforts, many public institutions continue to struggle with translating policy commitments into meaningful action. As a result, the gap between policy design and practical implementation remains one of the most persistent challenges in achieving gender equality within public governance.
To better understand these implementation challenges, the researchers conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA 2020 framework. The review examined peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2026 from four major academic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Garuda. Out of 287 initially identified publications, only 32 studies met all inclusion criteria and were selected for detailed analysis. This systematic approach enabled the researchers to identify recurring patterns, implementation barriers, and effective strategies across different countries and public sector contexts.
The analysis revealed that most of the selected studies employed qualitative research methods, with the largest proportion conducted in Asian countries. This finding indicates that gender-responsive governance continues to receive significant attention, particularly in developing countries undergoing administrative and institutional reforms. Despite differences in political systems and governance structures, the reviewed studies demonstrated remarkably similar implementation challenges across various regions of the world.
One of the study's most significant findings is the identification of five major barriers to implementing gender-responsive policies. Institutional resistance emerged as the most dominant challenge, appearing in approximately 75 percent of the reviewed studies. This resistance is reflected in rigid bureaucratic cultures, weak organizational commitment, and insufficient leadership support. Other major obstacles include limited gender competency among public officials, inadequate budget allocation, persistent patriarchal social norms, and weak policy monitoring systems. Together, these issues continue to undermine the effectiveness of gender-responsive policies in public institutions.
The review further demonstrates that these barriers are closely interconnected. Weak leadership commitment often results in gender-responsive policies being treated merely as administrative requirements rather than as drivers of institutional transformation. At the same time, insufficient training limits public officials' ability to integrate gender perspectives into policy planning and implementation. The lack of gender-disaggregated data also weakens policy evaluation, making it more difficult to assess whether public programs truly achieve equitable outcomes for different population groups.
In addition to identifying implementation challenges, the researchers synthesized several strategies that consistently proved effective across the reviewed literature. The most frequently recommended approach is capacity building through continuous education and professional training for public officials. Other important strategies include gender-responsive budgeting, stronger legal frameworks, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and the adoption of digital monitoring systems. According to the review, strengthening institutional capacity remains the most effective strategy because it directly enhances bureaucratic competence and improves the quality of policy implementation.
The discussion also emphasizes that legal frameworks alone cannot guarantee successful implementation. Organizational culture, leadership commitment, and political support play equally important roles in ensuring that gender-responsive policies move beyond symbolic compliance. Financial limitations and inconsistent political commitment frequently prevent long-term implementation, highlighting the need for stronger institutional governance alongside continuous investment in human resource development.
According to Nanik Mandasari and colleagues from STIA Nusantara Sakti Sungai Penuh, gender-responsive public sector reform requires a multidimensional approach. Beyond strengthening human resource capacity and ensuring adequate financial support, governments should invest in digital monitoring systems that improve transparency, accountability, and evidence-based policy evaluation. Integrating digital transformation into public governance is expected to strengthen inclusive public services while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The study provides valuable insights for policymakers at both national and local levels. It demonstrates that successful implementation of gender-responsive policies depends not only on comprehensive regulations but also on institutional readiness, effective leadership, political commitment, adequate financial resources, and skilled public officials. By strengthening these interconnected elements, governments can create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable public governance systems capable of delivering meaningful gender equality outcomes.
Author Profile
Nanik Mandasari – STIA Nusantara Sakti Sungai Penuh
Mario Dirgantara – STIA Nusantara Sakti Sungai Penuh
Arieska – STIA Nusantara Sakti Sungai Penuh
Research Source
Article Title: Challenges and Strategic Approaches to Gender-Responsive Policy Implementation in the Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review
Journal: International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR), Vol. 4, No. 7, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijsmr.v4i7.100
Journal Link: https://journalijsmr.my.id/index.php/ijsmr
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