Transformation of Women’s Leadership in the Provincial Parliament of the Bangka Belitung Islands in the Society 5.0 Era: Advancing Inclusive Development

This study examines two central issues: the representation of women in the Provincial Parliament (DPRD) of the Bangka Belitung Islands for the 2024–2029 period, and the transformation of their leadership in addressing developmental demands in the era of Society 5.0. The findings indicate that women’s representation remains below the 30 percent affirmative target, standing at approximately 20 percent according to local data and even lower in sectoral records. Such discrepancies highlight weaknesses in regional political documentation while also reflecting the limited extent of women’s political representation. Despite these limitations, the contributions of several female legislators illustrate substantive potential in advancing inclusive development agendas, although their access to strategic positions within parliamentary committees remains restricted. The study further reveals that the transformation of women’s leadership in the Society 5.0 era requires proficiency in digital literacy, the application of gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), and the adoption of a transformational leadership style that is participatory and data-driven. While disparities in technological access continue to pose challenges, opportunities are emerging for women legislators to utilize digital platforms, e-parliament systems, and data-based oversight mechanisms as instruments to strengthen inclusive development. This research underscores that women’s representation in the Bangka Belitung DPRD cannot be adequately assessed through quantitative measures alone. It must also be understood in terms of the quality of leadership and the substantive transformation of women’s roles in promoting socially just public policy.