<![CDATA[Gender equality has become a central focus in International Relations, with various legal instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) urging states to respect, protect, and fulfill individual rights without gender-based discrimination. Amid this global norm, the Bugis society of South Sulawesi recognizes five gender identities — Orowane, Makkunrai, Calabai, Calalai, and Bissu — offering an alternative perspective on gender social construction. This study aims to analyze the gap between international legal norms that recognize gender diversity and their implementation in the Indonesian national legal context, particularly within the Bugis community. The research employs Acharya's Norms Localization theory (2004) to trace how international norms on gender equality and non-binary gender identities are received, adapted, or resisted in the Indonesian local context. Using a qualitative method combining literature review, legal document analysis, and participatory cultural approaches, the findings reveal that although the Bugis community has historically demonstrated inclusivity toward gender diversity, the localization of international norms continues to face obstacles due to the tensions between local traditions, national law, and international standards. The study argues that the Bugis model of gender recognition provides valuable insights for enriching global discourses on inclusivity and human rights, and calls for a dialogical approach between local cultural custodians and contemporary legal frameworks to create more inclusive national policies. Abstrak Isu kesetaraan gender telah menjadi fokus utama dalam kajian Hubungan Internasional, dengan berbagai instrumen hukum seperti Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) yang menuntut negara-negara untuk menghormati, melindungi, dan memenuhi hak individu tanpa diskriminasi berbasis gender. Namun, di tengah norma global ini terdapat fenomena masyarakat Suku Bugis di Sulawesi Selatan yang mengakui lima identitas gender — Orowane, Makkunrai, Calabai, Calalai, dan Bissu — yang menawarkan perspektif berbeda terhadap konstruksi sosial gender. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kesenjangan antara norma hukum internasional yang mengakui keberagaman gender dengan implementasinya dalam konteks hukum nasional Indonesia, khususnya dalam masyarakat Bugis. Penelitian menggunakan teori Norms Localization dari Acharya (2004) untuk menelusuri bagaimana norma-norma internasional diterima, diadaptasi, atau mengalami resistensi dalam konteks lokal Indonesia. Dengan metode kualitatif melalui studi literatur, analisis dokumen hukum, dan pendekatan partisipatif terhadap narasi budaya Bugis, hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun masyarakat Bugis memiliki sejarah panjang dalam mengakui keragaman gender, proses lokalisasi norma internasional masih menghadapi hambatan akibat benturan antara nilai lokal, hukum nasional, dan norma internasional. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa model pengakuan gender Bugis menawarkan peluang untuk memperkaya wacana global tentang inklusivitas dan hak asasi manusia.]]>
