PARTNERSHIP through the Estungkara program is holding Inclusion Day 2024 with the aim of strengthening citizenship rights. indigenous people, especially women, children, and people with disabilities. This event will take place on 17-22 September 2024 in four villages in East Sumba, namely Kalamba Village, Ndapayami, Mbatakapidu, and Wanggameti, with the Bumi Lestari Institute (LBL) as the main implementer.
The Estungkara program aims to promote gender equality through economic empowerment, capacity building, and critical education for indigenous women. One of its focuses is supporting the formation of women's farmer groups and strengthening disability forums to increase the independence of indigenous communities in managing natural resources.
Executive Director of KEMITRAAN, Laode M. Syarif, said that Inclusion Day become a platform to showcase good practices and success stories from indigenous communities. Especially in inclusive and gender-equitable natural resource management.
"This activity is a real manifestation of our commitment to supporting diversity and inclusivity among indigenous communities," said Drs. Khristofel Praing, Regent of East Sumba, who also supported the event.
Kalamba Village, one of the areas where Inclusion Day was held, faces various challenges of modernization that threaten the sustainability of local culture. Through the support of the Estungkara program, the village community has succeeded in strengthening the community economy and advocating for indigenous rights.
One of the Kalamba village cadres, Hoki Halemang, said that to realize gender justice and equality is to provide gender training to men who are heads of families. According to him, gender education cannot be given only to women, but men also need to be given the same education.
"In Kalamba village, husbands are still the biggest decision makers. It would be useless if, for example, mothers were given economic and gender capacity training through a forum, but their husbands did not allow them to be too active outside the home. It's the same, women are not participating fully either," she explained.
Stepanus L. Paranggi, Director of LBL, emphasized the importance of Inclusion Day in strengthening the position of indigenous peoples in various aspects of life. According to him, the implementation of Inclusion Day is very relevant as an effort to strengthen the voice of indigenous peoples in facing social, economic, and cultural challenges.
With the theme "Realizing Social Inclusion in Indigenous Communities and Marapu Believers Through Strengthening Culture, Indigenous Knowledge, and Local Wisdom", this event emphasized the importance of maintaining noble values amidst development, without leaving out marginalized groups.
"Since Indonesia's independence, this is the first time there has been a national event in our village. This is a great honor for the indigenous people," added Jhon Kembi, a traditional figure from Wanggameti Village.
From this 2024 Inclusion Day event, it becomes a symbol of a shared commitment in realizing social inclusion and equal rights for indigenous peoples. Especially women and vulnerable groups, through the strength of culture and local wisdom in the Marapu indigenous community.
