Medan, 26 September 2024 — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is actively promoting gender inclusivity and equity through its existing policies, establishing a supportive environment that recognizes and encourages shared childcare responsibilities among all members of its community.

USU's commitment is built upon the Academic Regulation No. 13 of 2022 and Rector’s Decree No. 459/UN5.1.R/SK/SPB/2023. These foundational documents mandate fairness, equality, and accessibility in both academic and employment settings, ensuring that parental or caregiving duties do not disadvantage any individual in their professional or academic advancement.

Framework for Shared Responsibility

While USU currently operates without a formal, standalone paternity leave policy, its comprehensive inclusion frameworks implicitly promote gender-responsive and family-friendly practices. These policies acknowledge that family caregiving should be a shared responsibility, allowing both mothers and fathers to balance their professional and family roles without penalty.

“Equity at USU extends beyond gender—it includes recognizing the shared responsibility of family care,” highlighted Syafnita Hanura Silalahi, Head of the Human Resources Bureau. “We continue to build an inclusive environment where both mothers and fathers can participate fully in family and academic life.”

The university's non-discrimination clauses are key to this support, ensuring that no individual is penalized due to parental or caregiving status.

Infrastructure and Future Policy Potential

USU demonstrates its proactive support for caregiving through tangible resources like maternity care facilities and health service access on campus, serving both students and staff.

This existing care-focused infrastructure provides a foundation for future policy evolution. By integrating non-discriminatory governance with these facilities, USU is positioning itself to expand toward more comprehensive family-support systems, potentially including paternity leave or broader parental support schemes, aligning with international best practice

Alignment with Global Goals

USU's inclusive approach directly supports Indonesia’s national gender agenda and several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Promoting balanced family roles to enhance women's sustained participation in academia and the workplace.
  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Fostering supportive employment environments.
  • SDG 4 (Quality Education): Ensuring equal opportunities for academic success.

Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara, affirmed that "Supporting shared caregiving is central to gender equality. By building inclusive and flexible policies, USU ensures that both women and men can contribute equally to family, academia, and society.”

Through its governing regulations and commitment to inclusion, USU continues to strengthen its ecosystem, laying the groundwork for future family-oriented policies that empower all members of the academic community to thrive both personally and professionally.