Indonesia

 

23 12, 2024

Meet Leading Ocean Advocate Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan

2026-05-08T18:19:53-04:00Tags: |

Bali-born ocean advocate Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan is leading a creative movement to protect Indonesia's marine environments and mobilize youth across the Asia-Pacific. As the founder of 30×30 Indonesia, Gunawan champions the global biodiversity goal of protecting 30% of the planet's oceans by 2030. Her grassroots work includes the "30×30 Coral Garden" in Tulamben, Bali, which is an artificial reef that serves as a living habitat for marine organisms and a physical symbol of conservation advocacy. A National Geographic Young Explorer and recipient of the Global Citizen Youth Leaders Award, she is also developing Diverseas, an open-source virtual reality program that brings immersive marine science education into classrooms. Gunawan emphasizes that everyone has a role in holding leaders accountable for climate commitments, bridging the gap between high-level global frameworks and local community action.

6 06, 2024

Major land rights win for Indigenous Peoples over forest area the size of Hong Kong in Southwest Papua

2025-04-09T19:16:19-04:00Tags: |

Four thousand Indigenous Papuans from the Knasaimos peoples have recently received legal recognition of their customary rights over 241,000 acres of tropical rainforest in Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province. Before this, these Indigenous Papuans were largely ignored by the Indonesian legal system, while land concessions were given to loggers and plantation companies. As a result, much of the land was cleared and converted for industrial use. The land now recognized under customary rights is held by local clans, each with collective traditional titles over territories that include sago groves, food gardens, and housing. Outsiders are allowed only to rent land within the customary area. This recognition is particularly significant for women, many of whom rely on the land for their livelihoods. Duketini Marlina Youwe of Bentara Papua, a local organization, emphasizes that the traditional forests are integral to the Knasaimos' identity and serve as sources of food, building materials, and medicine. Many women collect food and medicinal plants, provide them to their families, and also generate income by selling produce. While this legal recognition represents an important step forward, many Indigenous communities continue to lose their land, forests, and biodiversity to corporate interests. Campaigners from Greenpeace Indonesia highlight that full legal protection and recognition of Indigenous forests are necessary for lasting solutions. Kiki Taufik, Global Head of Greenpeace Indonesia’s Forest Campaign, stresses that this recognition must be extended to all Indigenous peoples to truly protect their lands and cultures.

16 05, 2024

Mothers of Papua: The Relationship of Indigenous Women with Nature in the Land of Papua

2025-04-09T21:06:04-04:00Tags: |

Workers of the World Resource Institute Indonesia reflect on the special role of women in the Papua province of Indonesia, with a particular focus on their contributions in West Papua. Women in Papua play a crucial role in ensuring food security for their families, upholding and supporting traditions and ceremonies, and leading environmental protection efforts. Through groups like the Bersaudara Forest Farmers Group, they are actively engaged in reforesting their land to secure future access to water. Other women’s groups organize collective gardening efforts to preserve nature and protect the soil. This knowledge positions women as vital participants in mapping processes, conflict resolution, and their communities’ fight for the recognition of Customary Forests. In tribes such as the Kamoro, women are entrusted with managing natural resources and preserving traditional knowledge about the tribe’s history, as well as medicinal and agricultural practices. Their production of food and artisanal crafts—often sold at markets—also contributes significantly to household financial security. Papua’s distinctive context plays a key role in all of this, especially under the “special autonomy law,” which calls for maximum public participation. Nonetheless, as the authors point out, the target of a 30% quota for women’s representation in local governance remains unmet, currently stalled at just 15%, despite women holding many crucial roles within their communities. This underrepresentation is also evident in the 2021 local Gender Empowerment Index, which scored only 62.17 for West Papua Province—15 points below the national average. Although the Papua province scored slightly higher, it too remained below the national average. For Papuan women, this gap is visible in the everyday inadequacies of infrastructure and health facilities.

6 05, 2024

Destruction of Customary Forests in Papua Constitutes Ecocide, INFID Says

2024-09-16T09:30:34-04:00Tags: |

Iwan Misthohizzaman, the Executive Director of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID), asserted that clearing customary forests in Papua through the abuse of state permits is an act of ecocide and a violation of human rights. Misthohizzaman stated that ecocide is a systematic, aggressive, massive, and planned attack on the environment. The first element of an ecocide is that the exploitation of the environment leads to the extermination of nature. Second, the extermination is related to the erasure of people’s right to life, and third, the exploitation of natural resources leads to threats on human life now and in the future. Regarding Papua, all three elements were met as the forests are a source of livelihood for Indigenous people. The INFID urges the government to revoke the permits of palm oil companies and to return the forest to the protection of the Indigenous groups.

13 07, 2023

Indonesian Women Lead Protests Against Sand-Mining, Calling Men ‘Too Emotional’

2025-12-15T20:39:19-05:00Tags: |

In 2021, women from the Indonesian coastal village of Pasar Seluma on the southwest coast of the island of Sumatra began leading protests to oppose the arrival of a new company, PT Faminglevto Bakti Abadi, which sought to restart mining operations on their land. Villagers have witnessed the negative impacts of mining on the local population of saltwater mussels, which has been one of their main sources of income for generations, and their harvesting has been a tradition practiced by local Indigenous women for decades. Elda Nenti, a 35-year-old woman from Pasar Seluma stated, “Most of us who are from here are fishermen and women, and collectors of saltwater mussels…There has been a decrease in the mussel population. We don’t want it to go extinct, for it to no longer be a part of our village.” Pasar Seluma residents also fear that mining will exacerbate the impacts of climate change, which has already been felt and witnessed in other villages along the coast of Sumatra, such as tidal flooding and coastal erosion. In 2010, mining activities in the village ended after a conflict-filled resistance movement that led to multiple arrests. However, in 2021, when PT Faminglevto Bakti Abadi began setting up operations in the iron-sand-rich village of Pasar Seluma, the community knew they had to develop a new strategy to oppose the mining: women-led protests. “The women of Pasar Seluma who opposed the mining operations agreed to protest, deciding that the men should just stand behind us, because we don’t want a repeat of what happened in 2010,” said Nenti, referencing the arrests from the previous movement. “We don’t want the men to be arrested because they are more emotional, so it’s the women who will fight against the company.” More than 100 women in Pasar Seluma are involved in the village’s movement against mining. Their work is part of a collective effort to protect their home, as shown in the sentiments of Nevi Anggraeni, a 32-year-old woman from Pasar Seluma, who traced a direct link from the cessation of the mussel trade to a lack of household income, then to her and other domestic responsibilities like buying food and taking care of children. Nevi said the fight to oppose mining in her village will continue as long as the threat to their livelihoods remains.

13 07, 2023

Indonesian Women Lead Protests Against Sand-Mining, Calling Men ‘Too Emotional’

2025-11-07T15:12:56-05:00Tags: |

In the coastal village of Pasar Seluma, Sumatera, more than 100 women are leading a resistance movement against the iron-sand mining company, PT Faminglevto Bakti Abadi. They are fighting to protect the traditional saltwater mussel harvesting that provides their main source of income and to prevent mining from worsening coastal erosion in their tsunami-vulnerable community. Recalling a previous conflict where male-led protests resulted in arrests, the women have deliberately placed themselves on the frontlines by taking a strategic lead to maintain a more effective protest. Led by activists like Elda Nenti, the women have staged multi-day protest camps at the mining site and directly confronted the company for operating without the necessary environmental licenses. In response, they have faced police summons and harassment, but remain steadfast in their fight to protect their livelihoods and preserve their village for future generations.

13 07, 2023

Indonesian Women Lead Protests Against Sand-Mining, Calling Men ‘Too Emotional’

2025-04-18T11:52:09-04:00Tags: |

In 2021, women in Pasar Seluma, a coastal village in Indonesia, took the lead in protesting against a new iron-sand mining project by PT Faminglevto Bakti Abadi. Previous protests led by men resulted in arrests, prompting women to take charge this time to avoid similar consequences. The village, reliant on saltwater mussels for income, fears that mining will harm the environment and worsen climate impacts like flooding and coastal erosion. Despite facing harassment, police summons, and legal threats, the women continue to oppose the mining, emphasizing that it threatens their livelihoods and local traditions. Their protest symbolizes their fight for environmental justice and the protection of future generations.

9 05, 2023

New creative tools explore gender, justice, and the climate in Indonesia

2025-04-19T17:08:33-04:00Tags: |

A School of Geography research group from Leeds University is partnering with Indonesian organizations to create ‘Gender Jeopardy,’ an engaging game that celebrates trans resilience and climate activism. Indonesian designers and illustrators are also assisting the project, which includes a board game with accompanying characters and a comic. It centers on the experiences of Sanggar Seroja, a performance group founded by trans women from Jakarta, Indonesia. The group has over twenty years experience in art and activism, practicing and performing both traditional and contemporary art forms. The board game demonstrates scenarios such as environmental disasters, poverty, gender discrimination, and family trauma which have helped people to relate on their shared experiences. It is meant to demonstrate both the unique challenges faced by certain groups, as well as their immense resilience, creativity, and power. The game also promotes practical actions for environmental activism at the community level and conveys how these themes intersect with broader social and health justice issues.

24 04, 2023

“Green Nobel” winner is reclaiming Indonesian forest land

2024-09-13T14:50:07-04:00Tags: |

Indonesia’s deforestation and peatland clearing has made the nation one of the leading greenhouse gas emitters. In an effort to protect forests, the Indonesian government granted over 17,000 acres of forest land rights to Indigenous Indonesian communities. Delima Silalahi, a Batak woman from North Sumatra, is a leading figure in this movement. As the executive director of Kelompok Studi dan Pengembangan Prakarsa Masyarakat (the Community Initiative Study and Development Group), Silalahi has been working to protect these carbon-rich, biodiverse lands from industrial exploitation since 1999. Her work and dedication won her a Goldman Environmental Prize, or “Green Nobel,” in 2023. As a woman in the public eye, however, Silalahi faces stigma and gender-based discrimination from her community– a result of longstanding gender-based issues. Silalahi hopes not only to restore her land, but also to create more space for women to share their opinions.

27 02, 2023

As seawater erodes an Indonesian village, women lead climate action to save their homes

2025-06-27T21:23:45-04:00Tags: |

Nunung, 48, has lived her entire life in the village of Pondok Kelapa, Bengkulu province, Sumatra Island. Since 2011, the beach near her home has been eroding rapidly. This erosion now threatens nearby homes and the livelihoods of Pondok Kelapa’s approximately 4,300 residents, as intensified climate impacts increase severe coastal erosion and disrupt fisheries through ocean acidification and overfishing. In response, Nunung and about 30 other women formed Sungai Perempuan Lemau to seek climate resilience support from the government. Rania, another member of the collective, shared that while earlier attempts by men to build a seawall were ignored, the women’s efforts, supported by the Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI), offer renewed hope. Their advocacy has included meeting with provincial officials to push for wave-protection structures and ecosystem rehabilitation measures, such as planting mangroves. The group’s goal is to secure government action to prevent further erosion and protect their homes before intensifying coastal impacts and extreme weather events displace them.

13 02, 2023

Renewable Energy Transition Empowers Women-Owned Coffee Business in Indonesia

2024-09-13T15:09:29-04:00Tags: |

In response to the climate crisis impacting coffee production in Indonesia, women-owned business, Lady Farmer Coffee in Karangkobar, Central Java, has pioneered a transformative shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar power, to drive their coffee drying operations. Led by founder Farida Dwi, also known as Wiwi, the plantation not only provides the quality and taste of Indonesian coffee but also serves as a beacon of support for women farmers in the region. Facing challenges posed by climate change and rising electricity costs, the adoption of solar energy not only mitigates environmental impact, but also enhances economic viability. Through partnerships with organizations like the Diversity Movement and Greenpeace Indonesia, Lady Farmer Coffee showcases the potential of renewable energy in overcoming climate-related hurdles, reducing drying time by 40% and costs by 35% in the coffee production process. This innovative approach not only secures the sustainability of coffee production but also fosters female entrepreneurship and resilience amidst uncertain weather patterns, setting a transformative example for the broader agricultural industry.

3 02, 2023

As Seawater Erodes an Indonesian Village, Women Lead Climate Action To Save Their Homes

2025-05-24T21:54:20-04:00Tags: |

In the village of Pondok Kelapa in the Bengkulu province of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, residents are facing encroachment from the ocean — a threat mirrored in almost 200 of 500 of the archipelagic country’s coastal cities. Increased flooding risks, coastal erosion, ocean acidification, and overfishing prevent many from continuing with their jobs, leading to economic instability and connected issues such as higher school absence rates. Many in Pondok Kelapa are considering moving inland, or have already, as coastal conditions have worsened. In the face of these pressures, around 30 women from the village of Pondok Kelapa formed the Sungai Perempuan Lemau group, bringing their experiences and demands for climate funding for mitigation and adaptation activities to the provincial government. Measures such as planting mangroves have created a win-win for climate and people by absorbing carbon dioxide and creating natural barriers for flooding. The group has successfully gained promises from local officials – the next step is ensuring they follow through on their word.

24 08, 2022

Urban farming in Indonesia addresses food needs and climate change

2026-10-30T16:43:28-04:00Tags: |

Across Indonesia, women are finding innovative ways to grow their own food, both on their balconies and in eco-pesantrens. In the city of Garut, Nissa Wargadipura founded the Ath-Thaariq eco-pesantren, an urban boarding school that teaches how Islamic theology intersects with ecological conservation. The school’s property is divided into sections where students can learn agricultural practices such as animal husbandry and aquaculture. Much of what they grow and harvest goes to the 30 families who help manage the property, while the rest is sold to support their work. The school practices polyculture farming, growing many types of produce together, which leads to healthier and more diverse crop yields. In Medan, university professor Sakiah Nasution began growing produce on her balcony during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia imports a large amount of its produce, leaving grocery prices vulnerable to global price fluctuations, such as those caused by the Russia-Ukraine War. Growing produce that is typically imported has saved Nasution money and allowed her greater control over where her food comes from. Her neighbors have been inspired to start balcony farming as well. Hayu Dah Patria has also experimented with small-scale farming at the Mantasa Institute, the nonprofit she founded. Patria has found that running a small-scale operation has allowed her to prioritize healthy soil, which helps produce more nutrient-rich crops. The healthy soil she has cultivated through small-scale farming also helps convert N₂O, a greenhouse gas emitted by fertilized soils, into harmless nitrogen gas. In cities and on school grounds, Indonesian women are helping improve local food sovereignty by cultivating communities that know and trust their food sources.

24 03, 2022

The Anthropologist Who Has Spent 50 Years Protecting—and Learning From—Orangutans

2025-03-24T18:12:16-04:00Tags: |

Biruté Mary Galdikas is a scientist who studies orangutans in Southern Borneo, Indonesia. After receiving funding for primate research in the 1980s, Galdikas embarked on fieldwork deep in Tanjung Puting, observing orangutan behavior more intimately than any previous scientist. Since then, she has advocated for the rights and protections of the orangutans, forests, and communities on the land. She engaged closely with local Indigenous communities, maintaining positive relationships and including them in her research. Throughout her studies, Galdikas advocated against poaching, helped Indigenous people take on positions with local environmental groups, and earned Tanjung Puting a national park status. Her impacts have shaped the landscape and have been instrumental in orangutan protection in spite of many adversities.

6 01, 2022

Indonesia’s Womangrove Collective Reclaims The Coast From Shrimp Farms

2023-07-02T00:09:27-04:00Tags: |

Indonesia is home to the most mangroves in the world, however mangrove ecosystems are at risk to be cleared for development, a situation exacerbated by a poor economic state. Mangroves are locally and globally significant carbon sinks that provide many ecological services to coastal communities such as land protection from erosion and big tidal waves, increased biodiversity, and aquaculture. This article highlights the many ways the Womangrove collective are influential in combating mangrove deforestation. Womangrove was founded in 2015 by women in the Tanakeke Islands of Indonesia, and originally started as a business-orientated group aiming to plant and protect mangroves for sustainable aquaculture farming. Over the years Womangrove has developed into an ecological restoration program with a focus on addressing the deforestation of mangrove trees (replanting more than 110,000 mangrove seedlings!) and improving gender equality by providing local women educational courses and skill building.  Photo credit: Wahyu Chandra/Mongabay-Indonesia

8 03, 2021

“Voices heard for the first time”: Women in coffee cooperatives

2025-03-09T23:53:42-04:00Tags: , , |

The coffee sector has traditionally been male-dominated, despite women being a significant part of the workforce. Women producers often have limited agency, but initiatives like Jamaican Women in Coffee (JAWiC), Partnership for Gender Equity, and Café Femenino are driving a growing recognition of the need for gender equity. Barriers such as lack of land ownership and decision-making power are rooted in historical, cultural, and institutional factors. In order to overcome these constraints, organizations are establishing women-only coffee cooperatives, involving women in financial decisions, and promoting equitable operations. Support systems, including financial incentives from the Café Femenino Foundation and gender equity assessments from the Partnership for Gender Equity, are crucial for implementation. Respecting cultural norms is vital for success, with solutions being tailored to local contexts and involving all community members. Gender equity is foundational for sustainability in the coffee sector, providing long-term benefits for the entire supply chain.

10 11, 2020

The Women Of Kendeng Set Their Feet In Cement To Stop A Mine In Their Lands. This Is Their Story.

2025-10-09T14:03:19-04:00Tags: |

In the Kendeng Mountains of Java, Indonesia, women farmers known as the ‘Kartinis of Kendeng’ are leading a years-long resistance against the state-owned company PT Semen Indonesia. Their fight is to stop a cement factory from mining the Kendeng Karst, a sacred limestone formation they revere as Ibu Bumi (Mother Earth), which provides a reliable source of clean water for their farms and communities. Led by farmer Sukinah, the women placed themselves on the frontlines, staging a two-year blockade of the construction site and filing a lawsuit against the company. Their struggle gained international attention when they repeatedly traveled to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, to perform a visceral act of protest: encasing their feet in cement blocks outside the presidential palace. Despite winning a landmark case in Indonesia’s Supreme Court, their victory was nullified when the provincial governor immediately issued a new permit. The movement turned tragic when activist Patmi died from a heart attack after a protest in 2017. Though the factory was eventually built, the Kartinis of Kendeng are continuing their fight. They use cultural ceremonies and their unwavering solidarity to protect their land and water.

18 04, 2020

Our Mothers’ Land Movie

2025-04-18T11:54:32-04:00Tags: |

"Our Mothers' Land" follows journalist Febriana Firdaus as she documents the struggles of Indonesian women environmental activists who are defending their communities against threats to their land and water, particularly focusing on cement factories and mining operations. Despite living in patriarchal societies, these women have become leaders in environmental movements, often placed on the front lines due to their capacity for non-violent resistance. These women face violence, imprisonment, and loss, yet persevere to protect their land and communities. Their activism strengthens community bonds, creating support networks and cooperatives to cope with resulting economic hardships. By sharing the stories of activists like the Kartini Kendeng, Aleta Baun, and Eva Bande, the film underscores the importance of protecting the environment for future generations, drawing upon traditional knowledge, and amplifying the voices of those who risk their lives to protect the environment, recognising that this struggle continues across generations. The journalist's journey concludes with a discussion in Aceh with a local activist, emphasizing the ongoing and collective nature of environmental protection.

27 12, 2017

In Rural Indonesia, Women Spearhead The Fight To Protect Nature

2018-03-02T13:11:54-05:00Tags: |

Aleta Baun, Eva Susanti Hanafi Bande, and Rusmedia Lumban Gaol are just a few of the fierce grassroots leaders fighting against Indigenous cultural and environmental destruction in Indonesia’s rural areas. In July 2017, they gathered with some 50 defenders, most of them women, to share their stories and celebrate their courageous activism in the face of a socio-ecological crisis in their homeland. Timber, mining, palm oil, and other extractive industries have exhausted the country’s natural resources and defenders like Aleta, Eva, and Rusmedia have bravely opposed their efforts in the face of violence, internal persecution, and imprisonment. Photo credit: Lusia Arumingtyas/Mongabay-Indonesia

15 09, 2017

In Riau, Indonesia, Women Organise For Environmental Justice

2018-02-15T12:16:42-05:00Tags: |

Women in Sungai Berbari, a village in Riau, Indonesia, have been organizing for representation in land use planning. Ever since the Indonesian government began opening local forests for agricultural operations, women without equal access to planning processes have been disproportionately impacted by the resulting environmental impacts. When companies burn carbon-rich peatland to develop plantations, for example, the resulting crisis-level haze becomes particularly burdensome for the women tasked with domestic duties and caring for their families. Women Research Institute has provided local women with access to forest change data and training on public speaking in order to develop advocacy strategies. Photo credit: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

3 09, 2017

In Our Bones: Afrida Ngato

2017-09-03T21:28:50-04:00Tags: |

Afrida Erna Ngato is an indigenous activist and a “Sangaji Pagu” – a leader of the Pagu, a tribe living on their land since the 11th century. Previously, all leaders of the tribe were men but, Afrida stepped forward and became the first female leader. The mining in the Gulf of Kao caused water shortages, polluted rivers and bays, damaged ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity. Since the pipe burst, people began to fear eating fish, using the river water, and having trouble finding fish in the river. Access to clean water has reached crisis levels and this situation made Afrida take action. She protested for her community's rights along with 23 community members. All of them were arrested by the police but this made them even stronger. After this incident, Afrida widened her network by collaborating with neighboring tribes and now this makes it more difficult for mining companies to exploit them.

30 08, 2017

Chaus Uslaini Tells Us About Her Initiatives For Improving Rural Communities’ Lives

2017-10-30T03:43:00-04:00Tags: |

Global Forest Coalition profiles Chaus Uslaini, a rural activist and the director of the NGO Walhi, in West Sumatera, one of Indonesia’s main islands. Through her work, she helps improve rural communities’ lives around her, trying to empower and develop families, enabling children to attend school, instead of working in the fields as she once had to do. Her job also falls under the gender justice umbrella, and she helps women in four communities to set up a small fruit and cacao business production, for example. Chaus is leading initiatives regarding water rights, legal advice, youth empowerment, among many others. Photo credit: Chaus Uslaini

29 05, 2017

First Woman To Lead Indonesia’s Indigenous Peoples Alliance

2017-10-01T15:54:01-04:00Tags: |

Rukka Sombolinggi, of the Torajan tribe, became the first woman leader of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN). Even though Indigenous women in Indonesia are subject to intersectional forms of  discrimination, they keep on fighting to protect their communities. When Indonesia’s Constitutional Court ruled that Indigenous people have the right to manage the lands where they live, President Joko Widodo committed to taking further steps for its implementation. However, his plans to boost infrastructure may lead to the displacement of more tribes and the violation of their rights. AMAN has prepared a draft law for the effective protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights, which will be a priority for 2017.

29 04, 2017

Indonesian Women Risk Health To Supply Palm Oil To The West

2017-11-01T23:22:17-04:00Tags: |

Companies like Kellogg and Nestlé, who use palm oil for ice cream and chocolate products, buy their oil from suppliers that employ women. Women working in the fields are often assigned to spray pesticides and insecticides without any wearing any safety equipment. Minah, a worker at palm oil plantation in Riau, said a lot of the pesticide hits her face during spraying, suffering from respiratory and vision problems. NGO Sawit Watch and Amnesty International in Indonesia have unveiled many such stories, including instances when women are deprived of the two days of menstrual leave entitle to them by Indonesia’s law. Photo Credit: Wudan Yan

27 04, 2017

In Indonesia, Women Farmers Crushing Cement Mining and Production Factories

2017-10-27T01:15:37-04:00Tags: |

The Samin women of Indonesia are taking the lead to save Kendeng Karst mountains in Central Java from environmental destruction as cement companies consider expanding mining and production. The courageous Nine Kartinis of Kendeng from the Samin Community use non-violent resistance by planting their feet in cement to take a concrete stand against cement plants. Photo credit: Yes To Life No To Mining

1 01, 2017

Meet Mariamah Achmad, Indonesia

2017-10-25T23:05:11-04:00Tags: |

Mariamah Achmad, a native of the West Kalimantan, Indonesia, is a forest management graduate, a leader of Sekolah Lahan Gambut, or the Peatlands School, and the Palung Foundation’s Coordinator for Environment Awareness Education. She is working to end the exploitation of forest resources by multinational logging and palm oil companies who cut mangrove trees to make charcoal, overfish shrimp, burn forestlands and drain peat swamps to construct plantations. As a result of the indiscriminate exploitation of the forest resources, rural people have been affected by health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease and lung cancer. With Sekolah Lahan Gambut, Achmad focuses on creating awareness among rural people about these challenges. The organization focuses on the importance of forests, biodiversity, mangrove swamps, and wildlife through arts, communication, and education. Photo credit: Nobel Women’s Initiative

1 01, 2017

In Our Bones: Eva Susanty Hanafi Bande

2017-09-04T09:03:15-04:00Tags: |

Eva is a defender of women’s human rights, land rights, and the environment in Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia since 1998. She founded the People’s Front for Central Sulawesi Palm Oil Advocacy when the company PT Berkat Hutan Pusaka illegally appropriated land from local Indigenous people. As a result, fields and homes were constantly swamped because of the resultant flooding and water-borne diseases increased. Eva, together with local farmers, organized peaceful demonstrations against the company but due to tensions she was arrested and sentenced to prison. Nevertheless she continued to advocate behind bars. Eva has a deep commitment to the value of education, especially for women, as she believes that land justice cannot be discussed only in the classroom, it has to be put in practice. Photo credit: Urgent Action Fund

26 10, 2016

Indonesian Activist Pipi Supeni: “We Need To Unite To Fight For Our Rights”

2017-10-26T16:38:12-04:00Tags: |

Pipi Supeni of East Kalimantan,  Indonesia is on a mission to counter false narratives and negative assumptions and discrimination against Indigenous women. Through her work as a community organizer with AMAN Women-East Kalimantan for the Dayak Benuaq Ohokng tribe in the villages of Mamcong and Muara Tae, she seeks to help her fellow Indigenous Indonesian women to feel pride and confidence in their traditional culture , skills and knowledge - and thus assume their rightful place as leaders for the betterment of their communities and the natural world. Photo credit: JASS Just Associates

26 10, 2016

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments In Indonesia: Where Are The Women’s Perspectives?

2017-10-26T00:36:06-04:00Tags: |

In Indonesia, cities are developing methodologies towards climate change impact resistance and recovery by investing in city-level resiliency efforts. However, although women are most impacted there is insufficient data on women’s perspectives within urban resilience planning. In this assessment report, the Indonesian NGO Kota Kita presents the significance of a gendered approach in urban resiliency projects, how to improve women’s climate vulnerability assessment, and an examination of specific gender centered resiliency initiatives in Indonesia. Three out of four authors of this report are on the ground women researchers and activists. They are Sarah Dougherty, Rizqa Hidayani, and Dati Fatimah. Photo credit: Kota Kita

26 10, 2016

Lessons From Improving A Gender-Based Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

2017-10-26T00:18:02-04:00Tags: |

Kota Kita Foundation, an Indonesian grassroots NGO, analysed its methodology for the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment through a gender-focused approach, as women are the ones who suffer the most from climate hazards and are not well represented in data and resiliency plans. The low levels of female participation and deficient gender-disaggregated data raises questions about cities’ resiliency plans and the lack of consideration of women’s important role in Indonesian society. Photo credit: Kota Kita Foundation

13 09, 2016

In Her Bones: Female Tribal Leader Defends Land In Indonesia

2017-07-16T14:19:29-04:00Tags: |

Afrida Erna Ngato is an Indigenous activist and tribal leader in her community of Pagu, a position that women very rarely occupy. Afrida is fighting against gold and silver mining on almost 30,000 hectares of Indigenous territory. Decades of mining have led to detrimental impacts on the environment along with the health and livelihood of community members. Afrida leads protests in front of the mining company offices and collaborates with neighboring tribes to map borders, making it difficult for future mining companies to exploit the land and its people. Photo credit: Urgent Action Fund

1 09, 2016

The Role Of Indonesian Women In Addressing Climate Change

2017-11-01T01:47:01-04:00Tags: |

Miranti Serad, a founding member of Citra Kartini, an Indonesian women’s empowerment organization, organized a symposium at the 2016 Indonesia Women Expo on “Women and Climate Change.” Rachmat Witoelar, the President's Special Envoy for Climate Change, discussed the negative impacts of climate change on women and how can women play an important role in decreasing increase climate change. Suzy Hutomo, a climate leader and the Executive Chairwoman of The Body Shop Indonesia, has taken steps to prevent climate change by implementing a low-carbon lifestyle both in her family and company. Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusomo, a climate leader and a Member of the Commission 8 of the Indonesian House of Representatives, said women’s engagement is necessary to develop the creative economy. Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, an anthropologist, stated that climate change adaptation and mitigation should empower women because empowering women is preserving life. 

12 05, 2016

Indigenous Women Take Action To Protect Mother Earth

2017-09-04T21:57:25-04:00Tags: |

On May 12, 2016 a group of Indigenous women leaders from South and North America (Turtle Island) united to share their concerns, struggles and plans for change at “Indigenous Women of the Americas Protecting Mother Earth: Struggles and Climate Solutions,” an afternoon event presented by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and our allies at Amazon Watch and the Indigenous Environmental Network. It was held in New York City in parallel to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to bring public visibility to the diverse stories, solutions and demands of frontline women climate leaders. The speakers shared with the audience unique experiences and all focused on several main areas: (1) respect for and implementation of Indigenous rights and knowledge as a prerequisite for climate justice and effective sustainability solutions and (2) the protection of the rights, health, lives and lands of Indigenous peoples, and nations. Photo credit: Emily Arasim, Joan Beard

29 10, 2015

Ibu Inspirasi: Indonesian Wonder Women Provide Climate And Gender Justice Through Low Carbon Emission Technologies

2017-10-29T00:49:53-04:00Tags: |

In Indonesian, the program name Ibu Inspirasi refers to a group of inspiring Indonesian women that are providing low carbon emission technologies to their local communities. Ibu Inspirasi is also shielding especially underprivileged women from their specific vulnerability to climate change. In English, the women of Ibu Inspirasi are called wonder women for their work initiating and providing solar lanterns, water filters, and fuel efficient cooking materials that replace polluted air with safer air for women to cook over. Over the next three years these climate and gender leaders will be training 250 new green technology agents in East Indonesia after receiving a grant for their outstanding work. Photo credit: UNFCCC

26 10, 2015

Meet Young Indonesian Leader Magdalena Kafiar

2017-10-26T23:54:58-04:00Tags: |

Magdalena Kafiar is an Indigenous Papuan priest who works throughout Indonesia reporting on human rights violations. Her work as an activist encompasses education about women’s rights, advocacy for justice, and surveying environmental destruction. As part of the Young Indonesian Women Activists’ Forum (FAMM), she defends Indonesia’s people against the extractive activities of foreign companies, the military, and the police. Photo credit: Global Fund For Women

26 10, 2015

Jull Takaliuang, Indonesia’s Environmental Justice Campaigner

2017-10-26T23:47:08-04:00Tags: |

Mining activities contaminated the soil in Buyat Bay, Indonesia, causing adverse health impacts in Indigenous communities in the area. To tackle the problem, Jull Takaliuang started a movement in Bangka Island community and founded Yayasan Suara Nurani Minaesa (YSNM), a human rights organization. As a result of their campaigning, the company responsible for the pollution halted its activities. Having worked for over ten years in various fronts to guarantee the rights of her indigenous community, in 2015 Takaliuang was awarded the N-Peace Award from the UN Development Programme. Photo credit: Urgent Action Fund

12 05, 2015

Magical Houses Made Of Bamboo

2017-10-01T18:44:19-04:00Tags: |

In this TedTalk, Elora Hardy explains how she founded Ibuku, an organization that brings together sustainable resources and aesthetic imagination by building exquisite homes and schools in Bali. Bamboo is a magic material that takes root on otherwise uncultivable land and requires very little water to grow. Hardy shows how bamboo has endless potential as a sustainable resource and as a force for earthquake-resistant, affordable and durable construction. 

8 12, 2014

Biruté Mary Galdikas: If Orangutans Go Extinct, It Will Be Because Of Palm Oil

2017-10-05T17:34:13-04:00Tags: |

In 1986, Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas helped to found the Orangutan Foundation International, an environmental conservation group to promote the rehabilitation and preservation of orangutans in Indonesia. Today, Galdikas continues her fight against the encroaching palm oil industry which threatens not only the orangutans, but much of the vast biodiversity present in Indonesia and southeastern Asia. Though palm oil may be considered an economic boon by some, Galdikas hopes our human connection to the large primates will inspire the passion to protect the rainforests of Borneo from human encroachment. Photo credit: HuffPost

28 11, 2014

Indigenous Women In West Timor Fight To Defend Their Land – And Win

2017-07-11T18:14:50-04:00Tags: |

Aleta Baun, an indigenous Mollo woman from West Timor, Indonesia risked her life to oppose the destruction of local forests by mining and palm oil companies. Despite facing death threats and beatings, she led a group of women to stage four sit-ins at the mines, which forced the mining corporation to close operations and saved 130 homes and local forests. Photo credit: Goldman Prize

28 10, 2014

Mama Aleta: One Woman’s Struggle To Save Indonesia’s Forests From Mining

2017-10-28T22:17:26-04:00Tags: |

Aleta Baun is an advocate for rights of the Earth and Indigenous peoples on Timor Island, Indonesia. Beginning in 1996 and for over a decade, Baun has assembled and helped lead hundreds of local people in peaceful resistance to the mining of marble and other minerals and resources. For a full year, Baun and over 150 women sat in non-violent protest at a mine’s entrance, opposing the growth of the mine through peaceful actions, including weaving traditional Indigenous fabrics. Baun’s grassroots activism, and work with her non-profit Pokja OAT for the protection of Timor’s forests and people’s has gained worldwide attention, including as a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize. Photo credit: The Goldman Environmental Prize

2 06, 2014

Coral Triangle countries highlight women leadership in marine conservation

2026-10-30T17:49:22-04:00Tags: , , , , , |

Six women leaders from the Coral Triangle region, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, are being recognized and given funding to continue to advance and expand on their advocacy work. These six countries came together to launch a platform, with the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), to uplift the role of women environmental defenders working towards protecting an epicenter of marine biodiversity. They call themselves the CTI-CFF Women Leader's Forum and support women leadership through a network of peer-learning  and capacity building. The women leaders being honored come from each country, with their work often going unrecognized. They include Ms. Lotang from Indonesia, who leads CBO Cinta Persahabatan, a local organization that promotes coral reef protection, sustainable fishing practices, and enforcement against destructive fishing methods; Ms. Winfield from Malaysia, founder of the Kudat Turtle Conservation Society, which supports the protection of turtles and their habitats; Ms. Langarap from Papua New Guinea, coordinator of the Manus Environmental Communities Conservation Network, which supports community-led marine conservation; Ms. Bool from the Philippines, treasurer of the Sama Samang Nagkakaisang Pamayanan ng Silonay, which strengthens community resilience to climate change; Ms. Dasipio from the Solomon Islands, president of the Mother’s Union, which provides community conservation and environmental education; and Ms. Mendes from Timor-Leste, leader of the Com Women’s Group, which promotes marine conservation. Through this CTI-CFF Women Leaders’ Forum, the countries hope to recognize the crucial role women have in protecting marine biodiversity while supporting more equitable coastal resource management.

25 05, 2012

Violence Against Papuan Women: The Resource Extraction Link

2017-10-25T23:49:18-04:00Tags: |

A new report by the International Center for Transitional Justice makes clear the links between natural resource extraction and violence against Papuan women. The report, titled Enough is Enough!, is the result of an initiative begun in 2009 to document incidences of violence against women and human rights abuses in Papua over the past four decades. The report also includes sections on the growth of women’s organisations, on domestic violence and on equality in the context of Papuan Indigenous institutions. Photo credit: International Center for Transitional Justice

2 11, 2011

Rural Women’s Adaptation Strategies In Indonesia

2017-11-02T00:21:11-04:00Tags: |

The participatory action research conducted by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development explores some of the most important adaptation strategies rural fisherwomen in Cilincing, North Jakarta are using to cope with climate change. The report notes that these fisherwomen lack the control over resources due to prevalent social-cultural traditions, which often pushes them to opt for adaptation strategies like lowering family nutrition, collecting garbage, selling belongings and borrowing credit. Photo credit: Use Default

15 02, 2005

Indonesia: Women’s Group Helping To Restore Mangroves In Sulawesi

2017-10-20T22:53:09-04:00Tags: |

Persatuan Perempuan Sama (Women’s Union for Equality), or PPS, is at the forefront of helping women from Wangkolabou Village on Tobea Island in Sulawesi to initiate sustainable income-generating projects. Women from the fuel wood industry are trained on the ecological benefits of protecting mangroves and alternative livelihood practices. The initiative has reaped many income-generating and ecological benefits for the women and community over the years. Photo credit: Global Greengrants Fund

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