Protection of Children's Rights After Divorce: Challenges and Solutions in Indonesian Law

Authors

  • Fiqi Syarifa Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30983/al-hurriyah.v10i2.10127

Keywords:

After Divorce, Child Protection, Children's Rights

Abstract

The protection of children's rights during divorce is a constitutional mandate under Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection. In Religious Courts, this protection is ideally safeguarded through the judge's ex officio rights, which allow them to rule beyond the parties' specific demands to serve the child's best interests. This research aims to comprehensively analyze the implementation of the judge's ex officio rights, specifically concerning rights to maintenance (nafkah), custody, identity, and participation in legal proceedings. Using a juridical-normative approach, this study examines the Indonesian legal framework, including the Child Protection Law, the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI), and relevant Supreme Court regulations. The analysis indicates that although the legal foundation is substantial, the practical effectiveness of protecting children's rights remains suboptimal due to inconsistent regulations, low public legal awareness, and weak execution mechanisms. Consequently, the study proposes strategic recommendations to bridge this gap, including regulatory harmonization, reform of mediation procedures, increased judicial capacity, and the strengthening of judgment execution mechanisms to ensure the robust fulfillment of children's rights.

References

Books and Journals

Abdullah, Abdullah, Akhmad Syahri, Fatin Hamamah, Abd. Gafur, and Ahmad Sholeh. “Fulfillment of The Living Rights of Children the Victims of Divorce in the Muslim Community of Lombok, Indonesia.” El-Usrah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 7, no. 1 (July 1, 2024): 253–71. https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v7i1.22281.

Agustina, Feni. “Fulfilling Children’s Rights through Post-Divorce Relationships: An Investigation from Bima.” Al-Ahwal: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam 16, no. 1 (June 30, 2023): 158–79. https://doi.org/10.14421/ahwal.2023.16108.

Ahmad, Bahiyah, Raihanah Hj. Azahari, Asmak Ab Rahman, and Mazni Abdul Wahab. “Assessing the Rate of Child Maintenance (Financial Support) from a Shariah Perspective: The Case of Malaysia.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 58, no. 2 (December 7, 2020): 293–322. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2020.582.293-322.

Ahmad Ash Shiddieqy, Akhmad Roja Badrus Zaman, Sumayyah Faqihah, Muhammad Nur Fathoni, and Dinda Difia Madina. “Integration of Islamic Family Law and Gender Equality: A Comparative Study of Legal Reform and Social Norms in Contemporary Muslim Societies.” Legitima : Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam 7, no. 2 (June 30, 2025): 1–26. https://doi.org/10.33367/legitima.v7i2.7101.

Alamsyah, Alamsyah, Asrianti Sukirman, Oyo Sunaryo Mukhlas, and Aden Rosadi. “Islamic Judicial Activism in Determining Child Maintenance: Ex Officio Authority and Peaceful Settlement in Indonesian Religious Courts.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 10, no. 2 (September 25, 2025): 671–99. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i2.12755.

Alarode Lahoya Simbolon, and Sidi Ahyar Wiraguna. “Analisis Hukum Acara Mahkamah Konstitusi: Implikasi Putusan Terhadap Penegakan Hak Asasi Manusia.” RISOMA : Jurnal Riset Sosial Humaniora Dan Pendidikan 3, no. 3 (May 14, 2025): 204–15. https://doi.org/10.62383/risoma.v3i3.770.

Andar Yuni, Lilik. “The Use of Ex Officio to Fulfill Women’s Post-Divorce Rights at the Samarinda Religious Court.” Ijtihad : Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam Dan Kemanusiaan 21, no. 2 (December 29, 2021): 135–54. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v21i2.135-154.

Andrea, F T R, and Z N Awaliyah. “Fulfillment of the Rights of Wife and Children Post Divorce.” MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review 1, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v1i2.6211.

Aqsha, Gema Al, Abdul Hafizh, and Others. “Kewenangan Ex Officio Hakim Terhadap Pertambahan Nilai Nafkah Anak Pada Perkara Perceraian.” Sakena: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 9, no. 1 (2024): 1–8. https://journals.fasya.uinib.org/index.php/sakena/article/view/461%0Ahttps://journals.fasya.uinib.org/index.php/sakena/article/download/461/335.

Aryananda, Helga, Amir Junaidi, and Femmy Silaswaty Faried. “Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Anak Di Bawah Umur Sebagai Korban Perceraian Menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 Tentang Perubahan Atas Undang-Undang Nomor 23 Tahun 2002.” Jurnal Bevinding 1, no. 8 (2023): 60–72.

Bücken, Charlotte A., Paul Riesthuis, Nathanael Sumampouw, and Henry Otgaar. “Indonesian Forensic Practitioners’ Reported Use of Strategies to Reverse Parental Suggestions.” Psychology, Crime & Law, October 13, 2025, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2025.2568731.

Dahlan, Abd rahman, Fathinuddin Fathinuddin, Azizah Azizah, Nur Rohim Yunus, Aliyeva Patimat Shapiulayevna, and Yunasril Ali. “Women’s Post-Divorce Rights in Malaysian and Indonesian’s Court Decisions.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 23, no. 1 (June 26, 2023). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v23i1.27967.

Farid, Muhammad, Muhammad Syukri Albani, and Fauziah Lubis. “Legal Reconstruction of Hadhanah Rights Due to Divorce in Indonesia from a Maqashid Syari’ah Perspective.” JURNAL AKTA 12, no. 1 (February 12, 2025): 123. https://doi.org/10.30659/akta.v12i1.43809.

Fauzi, A. “Pembaruan Hukum Keluarga Islam Di Indonesia: Analisis Produk Hukum Mahkamah Agung Tentang Hak-Hak Istri Dan Anak Pasca Perceraian.” Peradaban Journal of Law and Society 4, no. 1 (2025).

Gausia, Ahyaril Nurin, and Fathur Rochim. “Implementasi Kebijakan Direktorat Jenderal Badan Peradilan Agama Mahkamah Agung RI Tentang Pemenuhan Hak Anak Dan Perempuan Pasca Perceraian Di Pengadilan Agama.” Islamic Law: Jurnal Siyasah 8, no. 1 (March 1, 2023): 23–39. https://doi.org/10.53429/iljs.v8i01.626.

Harry, Musleh, Saifullah Saifullah, Jundiani Jundiani, and Meisy Fajarani. “Examining the Provision of Legal and Religious Education to Islamic Families to Safeguard the Rights and Well-Being of Women and Children: A Case Study Conducted in Malang Regency, East Java.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 3 (August 24, 2024): 1526. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.19566.

Hartini, Hartini, Haniah Ilhami, and Rahmawati Mohd Yusoff. “Sole Custody and The Implication of Fault-Based Divorce Under the Indonesian Legal System.” Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies 9, no. 1 (May 8, 2024): 249–78. https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.vol9i1.4576.

Hermanto, Agus. “Teori Gender Dalam Mewujudkan Kesetaraan: Menggagas Fikih Baru.” Ahkam: Jurnal Hukum Islam 5, no. 2 (November 1, 2017). https://doi.org/10.21274/ahkam.2017.5.2.209-232.

Hidayatullah, S, H Mahmudah, and R Melati. “Eksistensi Penerapan Hak Ex Officio Hakim Dalam Putusan Di Pengadilan Agama Bima.” Sangaji 6, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.52266/sangaji.v6i2.1319.

Idris, Ahmad Rusyaid, Muhammad Khusaini, and Syaiful Anwar Al-Mansyuri. “Contemporary Islamic Law in Indonesia: The Fulfillment of Child Custody Rights in Divorce Cases Caused by Early Marriage.” MILRev : Metro Islamic Law Review 3, no. 1 (April 4, 2024): 1. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v3i1.8907.

Kadarisman, Achmad, Alfarid Fedro, and Zainal Arifin. “Best Interest of the Child in Islamic Family Law: Integrating Maqasid Al-Sharī‘ah and Double Movement Theory in Ḥaḍānah Cases.” Jurnal Al-Dustur 8, no. 2 (December 1, 2025): 155–74. https://doi.org/10.30863/aldustur.v8i2.10459.

Kasim, Fajri M, Abidin Nurdin, Salman Abdul Muthalib, Samsinar Syarifuddin, and Munawwarah Samad. “The Protection of Women and Children Post-Divorce in Sharia Courts in Aceh: A Sociological Perspective.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 22, no. 2 (December 31, 2022). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v22i2.28747.

Kementerian Agama RI. Kompilasi Hukum Islam, 2018.

Khanif, A. Religious Minorities, Islam and the Law: International Human Rights and Islamic Law in Indonesia. Routledge, n.d.

Khotim, A. “Protection of Children’s Rights in Post-Divorce Custody Disputes Comprehensive Study on the Best Interests of Children.” Jurnal Mahkamah: Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Hukum Islam, 2025, 199–210.

Mardiansyah, Iis, Sumardjo, Sarwititi Sarwoprasodjo, and Tin Herawati. “Beyond Victimhood: Rethinking Communicative Resilience and Child Transformation after Parental Divorce in Indonesia.” Frontiers in Sociology 10 (November 26, 2025). https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1668368.

Mera, Nasaruddin, Marzuki Marzuki, M. Taufan B., Sapruddin Sapruddin, and Andi Intan Cahyani. “Child Custody Rights for Mothers of Different Religions: Maqasid Al-Sharī’ah Perspective on Islamic Family Law in Indonesia.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 3 (August 24, 2024): 1645. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.23809.

Muhammad Luqman Asshidiq, and Diana Zuhroh. “Pemenuhan Hak Anak Pasca Perceraian Dalam Perspektif Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 Tentang Perlindungan Anak Dan Kompilasi Hukum Islam.” Jurnal Al-Hakim: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, Studi Syariah, Hukum Dan Filantropi 4, no. 2 (November 6, 2022). https://doi.org/10.22515/jurnalalhakim.v4i2.5866.

Musawwamah, Siti. “Divorcing Husbands as a Solution to Protect Women’s Dignity: A Case Study of Domestic Violence at Madura Religious Court.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 2 (December 31, 2022): 997. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i2.14929.

———. “The Implementation of PERMA Number 3 of 2017 Concerning The Guidelines For Dealing With Women’s Cases on Laws As an Effort of Women Empowerment In The Judiciary in Madura.” AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial 15, no. 1 (June 27, 2020): 67–92. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v15i1.2883.

Nasa, A. “Inflation and Child Support: A Maqasid Analysis.” Mazahib Jurnal Pemikiran Hukum Islam 22, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.21093/mj.v22i1.5120.

Nasution, Adelina, Pagar Pagar, and Asmuni Asmuni. “The Disparity Of Judge’s Verdict On Child Custody Decision In Aceh Sharia Court.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 2 (December 31, 2022): 890. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i2.12758.

Nasution, Hotnidah, and Ahmad Rifqi Muchtar. “Access to Justice for Women and Children in Divorce Cases in the Indonesian Religious Courts.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 20, no. 2 (December 30, 2020). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v20i2.15702.

Nasution, Khoiruddin, and Syamruddin Nasution. “Implementation of Indonesian Islamic Family Law to Guarantee Children’s Rights.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 59, no. 2 (December 13, 2021): 347–74. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2021.592.347-374.

Noor, Tajuddin. “Perlindungan Hukum Pasca Perceraian: Analisis Strategi Dan Implementasi Di Indonesia.” Kajian Ilmiah Hukum Dan Kenegaraan 4, no. 1 (July 25, 2025): 61–71. https://doi.org/10.35912/kihan.v4i1.5149.

Nurmila, N. “Indonesian Women’s Rights after Divorce: Text, Context, and Agency.” Journal of Fatwa Management and Research 26, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol26no1.332.

Nurmila, Nina. Women, Islam and Everyday Life. Routledge, 2009. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203878545.

Pratama, Gilang Favian, and Ahmad Suryono. “Analisis Hak-Hak Anak Pasca Perceraian Orangtua Menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 Tentang Perubahan Atas Undang-Undang Nomor 23 Tahun 2002 Tentang Perlindungan Anak.” Journal of Contemporary Law Studies 1, no. 1 (November 16, 2023). https://doi.org/10.47134/lawstudies.v1i1.1946.

Qowiyul Iman, Rifqi, and Joni Joni. “Divorce and Its Practices Before A Religious Court; A Perspective Analysis of Islamic Legal.” Al-Hurriyah: Jurnal Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (August 30, 2024): 13–26. https://doi.org/10.30983/alhurriyah.v9i1.8066.

Rinaldo, Rachel, Eva F. Nisa, and Nina Nurmila. “Divorce Narratives and Class Inequalities in Indonesia.” Journal of Family Issues 45, no. 5 (May 2, 2024): 1195–1216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X231155657.

Rohmah, Asantia Puspita, Prahasti Suyaman, and Asti Sri Mulyanti. “Determination of Custody Rights (Hadhanah) for Children Who Are Not Yet Mumayiz to the Father.” Rechtsnormen Journal of Law 1, no. 2 (July 24, 2023): 48–57. https://doi.org/10.55849/rjl.v1i2.307.

Rohman, Adi Nur, and Elfirda Ade Putri. “Progressive Reading of Child Custody Rights in Indonesia: A Gender Justice Perspective on Marriage Law.” Jurnal Hukum Dan Peradilan 11, no. 1 (March 31, 2022): 43. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.11.1.2022.43-63.

Rohman, Adi Nur, - Sugeng, and Hesti Widyaningrum. “Instrumentation of Ex Officio Rights of Religious Courts Judge Related to Fulfilling Children’s and Wife’s Rights Due to Divorce.” Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan 50, no. 2 (September 28, 2020): 361. https://doi.org/10.21143/jhp.vol50.no2.2581.

Salamah, Ummu. “Settlement Of Divorce Dispute Through The Forum Of Mediation In Judicial Institutions As An Effort Of Legal Protection For The Rights And Interests Of The Child Of Post-Divorce.” Syariah: Jurnal Hukum Dan Pemikiran 21, no. 2 (September 22, 2021). https://doi.org/10.18592/sjhp.v21i2.4603.

Saleh, Taufiq, Khalisah Hayatuddin, and Arif Wisnu Wardhana. “Factors of Unfulfilled Rights of Wife and Children as Consequences of Divorce in Religious Court Decisions.” Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat 23, no. 1 (June 14, 2023): 85–96. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v23i1.16644.

Saraswati, Rika. “Gender Bias in Indonesian Courts: Is Perma No. 3 of 2017 the Solution for Gender-Based Violence Cases?” Laws 10, no. 1 (December 29, 2020): 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws10010002.

Suadi, Amran, Mardi Candra, Fahadil Amin Al Hasan, and Gugun Gumilar. “Legal Protection of Women’s and Children’s Rights after Divorce through the E-MOSI CAPER App.” Jurnal Hukum Novelty 15, no. 1 (April 26, 2024): 35. https://doi.org/10.26555/novelty.v15i1.a27347.

Susylawati, Eka. “The Acceptability of Active Judge Principle in Divorce Talak Cases of Religious Courts at Madura to Assure the Wife S Rights.” Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum Dan Pranata Sosial 14, no. 2 (2019): 267–82. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v14i2.2435.

Thi Bao Anh, Nguyen, and Lam Ba Khanh Toan. “A Comparison Of The Right To Visit Children After Divorce.” International Journal of Empirical Research Methods, October 16, 2023, 27–39. https://doi.org/10.59762/ijerm205275791120231005150412.

Turnip, Ibnu Radwan Siddik, Sumper Mulia Harahap, Abdul Halim Talli, Arminsyah Arminsyah, and Muhamad Hasan Sebyar. “Implementing the Concept of Co-Parenting in Divorce Cases: An Analysis Using the Maslahah Approach.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 9, no. 2 (September 20, 2024): 463–84. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i2.10117.

Wahyudi, Muhamad Isna. “Judges’ Legal Reasoning on Child Protection: Analysis of Religious Courts’ Decisions on the Case of Child Parentage.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 55, no. 1 (June 26, 2017): 127–54. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2017.551.127-154.

Yuni, Lilik Andar, and Akhmad Haries. “Protection of Women’s Rights After Divorce in Religious Courts: What Makes This Mission Difficult to Achieve?” Mazahib 23, no. 2 (December 18, 2024): 595–630. https://doi.org/10.21093/mj.v23i2.7958.

Online Database

Dalih Effendy, (2025), Upaya Memberi Perlindungan Bagi Anak Korban Perceraian ... (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pta-jakarta.go.id/content/1193-artikel-upaya-memberi-perlindungan-bagi-anak-korban-perceraian-orang-tuanya-di-pengadilan-agama-dalih-effendy. (accesed 23 September 2025)

Epri Wahyudi, (2025), Praktik Perlindungan Pemenuhan Nafkah bagi Mantan Istri. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://marinews.mahkamahagung.go.id/artikel/praktik-perlindungan-pemenuhan-nafkah-bagi-mantan-istri-0dV. (accesed 24 September 2025)

Ghusairi, (2025), Hak Anak Setelah Perceraian - PA Rangkasbitung. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://pa-rangkasbitung.go.id/publikasi-artikel/arsip-artikel/417-hak-anak-setelah-perceraian-dalam-peraturan-perundang-undangan-di-indonesia. (accesed 11 September 2025)

Van Huis, S. C. (2015). "Islamic Courts and Women’s Divorce Rights in Indonesia." https://scholarlypublications.universiteitleiden.nl/handle/1887/35081 (accessed 13 December 2025)

Downloads

Published

2025-12-14

How to Cite

Syarifa, F. (2025). Protection of Children’s Rights After Divorce: Challenges and Solutions in Indonesian Law. Al-Hurriyah: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 10(2), 246–263. https://doi.org/10.30983/al-hurriyah.v10i2.10127

Citation Check