Gender inequality in politics remains a pressing challenge in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), the province with the highest rates of poverty and violence against women in the country. Although affirmative action policies stipulate a 30 per cent quota for female candidates, their presence in parliament does not automatically lead to substantive advocacy. This study employs a qualitative case study approach that combines interviews, analysis of policy documents and a review of media content, whilst integrating Pitkin’s (1967) concept of substantive representation and Lasswell’s (1948) communication model.  The findings of this study indicate that there are tangible advocacy efforts, yet communication strategies remain dominated by technocratic language, symbolic rhetoric and a reliance on masculine bureaucratic structures. Lasswell’s framework highlights weaknesses across all dimensions: female political actors are often viewed merely as quota-fillers; messages focus on bureaucratic obstacles; communication channels are limited; the audience is narrow; and the impact is largely normative. This study further shows that women’s substantive representation is still hampered by the technocratic and symbolic patterns of communication inherent in masculine bureaucratic structures, thereby limiting their ability to transform their descriptive presence into substantive advocacy. This study contributes by demonstrating that concrete action on behalf of constituents requires effective political communication in order to challenge patriarchal structures. In practical terms, this study suggests that female legislators should not rely solely on state institutions, but should also strengthen their alliances with social movements and institutionalise gender issues within public policy, so that advocacy can bring about sustainable structural change that is responsive to women’s needs.

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