iarjimphIARJIMPHIARJIMPH2709-331Xhttps://doi.org/10.47310/iarjimph.2021.v02i02.018Factors that Affecting Mother’s Role and Responsibility for Breastfeeding in the Era of Gender Equality: A Qualitative Study of Grounded TheoryErlinNovitasariISriAndariniLilikZuhriyahMaster of Midwifery Student, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaDepartment of Public Health Science Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaDepartment of Public Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, IndonesiaBackground: Gender equality and modernization have given women the opportunity to be involved in the workforce, receive higher education and be involved in social and political structures. On the other hand, in the household women have several roles and responsibilities, one of which is the role of a mother to breastfeed her baby. The role and responsibility as a mother to breastfeed is influenced by several factors. Therefore, this study aims to determine what factors influence the role and responsibility of mothers to breastfeed in the era of gender equality. Methods: This study uses a grounded theory approach with 11 respondents who have met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection using semi-structural interview.  Results: The research resulted in 4 themes consisting of changes and adaptations of roles after giving birth, multiple roles as wives, women's independence, and social norms. Discussion: Mother's roles and responsibilities for breastfeeding are formed after the mother goes through the stage of role change and adaptation after giving birth and is influenced by multiple roles as a wife, women's independence, and social norms regarding the obligation of mothers after giving birth to breastfeed. The division of roles and responsibilities in households that are carried out alone and together, the role of women's independence to work and be educated, and social norms indicate the existence of gender equality and inequality towards women in carrying out their roles and responsibilities for breastfeeding.