Indonesian Borneo Landscape Foundation Through the Estungkara program which focuses on promoting social inclusion in indigenous communities, we again facilitated village discussions in Pilang Village which were attended by a number of indigenous communities. The Ngaju Dayaks. This activity is important as a space to strengthen the role of women in decision-making. This activity focuses on two main agendas. First, discussing proposals for the Village Government Work Plan (RKPDes), and second, holding joint practices in making organic fertilizer. This forum provides space for women in the Dayak Ngaju indigenous community to express their opinions on village development plans while improving skills in managing local resources.
This forum is a space for strengthening women's groups to encourage their active involvement in decision-making. Discussions are not only a means for women to convey their aspirations, but also to strengthen social networks and solidarity among them.
"By increasing women's capacity in managing local resources, communities can formulate more holistic and equitable solutions," said Sevana, YBBI Program Manager.
The Village Discussion activity is carried out through a series of discussion sessions and practical training. In this session, women's groups will be involved in in-depth discussions about the RKPDes and practice making sustainable organic fertilizers. This is a follow-up to the previous yard management training that was carried out. In addition, this forum also functions as an advocacy forum, where women can work together to fight for their rights and important issues such as education and health.
The results of the discussion on the preparation of the RKPDes showed a number of important points. The RKPDes Team has been formed, led by the Village Secretary as Chair, with Puput Damayanti as Secretary and Mrs. Natalia as Member. This team is scheduled to hold a meeting to discuss the draft of the RKPDes proposal which will be discussed in the deliberation in September.
For 2024, the budget will be allocated for the food security program, which will provide assistance for livestock such as pigs, chickens, and goats. Farmer groups who wish to apply for assistance are required to prepare a proposal and register with SIMLUHTAN. Meanwhile, 2025 will focus more on assistance in the horticulture sector with the aim of increasing food security through collaboration with farmer groups. This program will provide opportunities for Women Farmer Groups (KWT) to access assistance and develop independence in cultivating horticultural crops in KWT's Community Seed Gardens.
"Currently, KWT is accelerating the registration process to SIMLUHTAN by completing the necessary documents, including KTP. With these steps, the Village Discussion in Pilang Village has the potential to be a significant driver of change. And increase women's involvement in village development and create a more inclusive and sustainable society," added Sevana.
Quoted from UNFCCC Former Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, 2014, empowering women through decision-making spaces is a significant factor in overcoming issues faced by women such as agricultural issues. Women have different knowledge and needs than men, so discussion spaces must be able to accommodate women's voices so that the resulting decisions also accommodate women's interests.
