Bulletin of Community Engagement
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Bulletin of Community Engagement

Collaborative Governance Analysis in Reducing Marriage Dispensation Requests: A Study of Multi Layered Verification Mechanisms in Bondowoso Regency

Raudhatul Adhawiyah Novita Zaini (Universitas Brawijaya Malang, Indonesia)
Lilik Wahyuni (Universitas Brawijaya Malang, Indonesia)
Alifiulahtin Utaminingsih (Universitas Brawijaya Malang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
07 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of collaborative governance to reduce marriage dispensation requests in Bondowoso Regency, East Java, through a multi-layered verification mechanism involving six key stakeholders: Social Affairs Agency (Dinas Sosial P3AKB), Health Agency, Religious Court, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Children’s Forum, and community leaders. Utilizing the Ansell and Gash (2008) collaborative governance framework, this qualitative case study employs Miles and Huberman’s interactive model for data analysis. Findings reveal that formal collaboration through the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement, combined with a five‑stage verification innovation (digital filtering, mandatory psychological assessment, medical examination at five specialized referral health centers, cognitive filter, and a two‑year anti‑divorce stamped statement), successfully reduced dispensation requests by 87.6 percent, from 1,077 cases in 2020 to 133 in 2025. However, the persistence of unregistered marriages (37 percent of applicants) and pre‑marital pregnancy (25 percent) indicates a displacement effect, suggesting that procedural rigidity in formal mechanisms redirects behavior toward informal practices. The study proposes two norm transformation strategies: victim testimony‑based campaigns and religious authority legitimation. This research contributes to collaborative governance literature by identifying structural interdependence and layered institutional design as critical mechanisms for addressing socially rooted problems beyond voluntary compliance.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

bce

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Education Social Sciences Other

Description

The mission of Bulletin of Community Engagement is to serve as the premier peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal to advance theory and practice related to all forms of outreach and engagement . This includes highlighting innovative endeavors; critically examining emerging issues, trends, ...