Uun Kurniasih's Service Record: When a Head of Religious Affairs Doesn't Have to Be a Marriage Registrar

Uun Kurniasih, a 54-year-old woman from Indramayu, West Java, has broken traditional barriers by becoming one of the first female heads of a Kantor Urusan Agama (KUA), or Office of Religious Affairs, in Indonesia. Traditionally, these roles have been exclusively held by men, who also serve as marriage registrars (penghulu).

Kurniasih was among 15 women appointed to lead KUAs across Indonesia in a hybrid ceremony held in Jakarta on Thursday, June 4, 2026. She is the sole female KUA head from West Java. Previously serving as an Islamic Religious Counselor, Kurniasih expressed gratitude for the government's trust in allowing women to hold such positions.

Her appointment is made possible by new government regulations, specifically Ministerial Regulation Number 24 of 2024 and Ministerial Decree Number 1644 of 2025. These regulations, for the first time, open up the position of KUA head to Islamic Religious Counselors, including women. While Kurniasih can now lead the office, she cannot perform marriage ceremonies herself, a duty reserved for male penghulus.

"Alhamdulillah, I have been given trust. This is an amanah (a trust or responsibility)," said Kurniasih, speaking from her office at the KUA Kecamatan Pasekan in Indramayu. Her achievement highlights a significant shift in gender roles within Indonesia's religious affairs administration, acknowledging the capabilities of women in leadership positions within the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

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Alhamdulillah, I have been given trust. This is an amanah (a trust or responsibility).