Pengalaman komunikasi mahasiswi bercadar dalam menghadapi stigma masyarakat

This article describes communication experiences of niqab female students in dealing with societal stigma. Being part of an Indonesian citizen with a majority Muslim population, however, does not necessarily make the niqab a widespread understanding without any stigma from the community. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the motives of veiled female students in using the niqab, the meaning of the niqab for veiled female students, and to find out how veiled female students overcome the stigma of society. This article uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Data was collected through indepth interviews and observations with research subjects selected based on purposive sampling technique as many as 7 people. The validity test of the data is done by using member check technique. The results showed that the veiled female student motive was divided into two stages. The first is the reason for using the niqab because of trauma, following trends, often taking studies, and because of association. The second is the hope of using the niqab which is divided into six categories, namely expectations of parents, friends, mate, work, the surrounding environment, and the hereafter. The niqab’s variety of meanings for veiled female students is as a reminder, a barrier, a protector, and as a medium to subdue men’s views. In overcoming the stigma of veiled female students, they did five forms of settlement, namely, giving explanations, letting people go, removing niqab in certain places, changing niqab with masks, and proving with good character.