Breaking the Glass Ceiling:

A Semiotic Qualitative Study of Ellen Soebiantoro's Tenure as Indonesia's First Muslim Female Deputy Attorney General

Helena Octavianne

Fendy Suhariadi

Mohammad Fakhruddin Mudzakkir

Mia Amiati

Muhammad Ali Adriansyah

 

Abstract: This article uses a qualitative approach to examine how the semiotic symbols and signs associated with Ellen Soebiantoro's tenure as Indonesia's first Muslim female Deputy Attorney General influenced public perception and reflected social and gender dynamics. Semiotics is a discipline that studies the signs and meanings contained in them to influence public narratives. These signs can be words, images, symbols, or even behaviours that have a specific meaning in a cultural or social context. The semiotics examination conducted in this article reveals that the appointment of Ellen Soebiantoro as the first Muslim female Deputy Attorney General in Indonesia not only has practical implications in the field of law but also carries a very important symbolic meaning in the social and cultural context. As a visual and verbal representation of change and progress in the legal field, Ellen Soebiantoro became a symbol of hope for Muslim women who aspire to achieve high leadership positions in the country. A positive image of herself helps shape public perceptions of Muslim women's abilities in previously male-dominated positions.