Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a serious issue in Indonesia. One factor that allows such violence to persist is the belief that men should hold greater power in relationships and that women should have limited say in family decisions. Challenging these unequal gender norms is an important step toward preventing violence and building healthier relationships.

Programs that promote more equal gender norms have shown promising results in reducing IPV. However, most existing studies have focused on secular settings or faith-based programs in Christian communities. Less is known about how these approaches work in Muslim-majority contexts.

To explore this possibility, SMERU examines whether structured discussions led by female Muslim religious leaders can influence their attitudes toward IPV and related gender norms. By comparing these discussions with similar sessions led by female community leaders, the study seeks to understand whether religious leaders play a distinct role in promoting more equitable views on gender and relationships.

The study is expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence on the effectiveness of community-based and faith-based approaches to transforming gender norms and attitudes toward intimate partner violence. Its findings may also provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and civil society organizations seeking to design more effective and context-sensitive interventions to prevent intimate partner violence in Indonesia.