GEDSI, which stands for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, is an important concept in encouraging equality for society. Therefore, it is important to build understanding in the community itself about the concept. Bumi Lestari Institute as a partner of the Estungkara program held a discussion by raising the issue GEDSI in the indigenous community and Marapu believers. This activity was held for the community in Bidi Praing Hamlet, Ndapayami Village, Kanatang District, East Sumba Regency.
The activity carried out on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 raised the topic of how all elements of society including women, children and disabilities. These three groups are important to participate in every development planning process at the village level. This discussion was also attended by the village government, the Marapu indigenous community, and the women's forum.
"Discussions like this are important because so far groups such as women, children and the disabled are often neglected in every development process at the village level. In fact, every Indonesian citizen has the same right to receive services at the village level, such as the spirit of development that no one is left behind in development," said Village Facilitator Naomi Sustainable Earth Institute.
This discussion also discusses how to understand gender inequality, especially in the division of labor and decision-making that results in less opportunity and lower social status for women compared to men. Gender equality, especially for marginalized groups, is important in encouraging equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for men and women. The hope is that every individual has the same rights and opportunities in development, namely access, facilities and opportunities to participate.
From the evaluation results, as many as 65% participants understood the concept of GEDSI that was presented, while 35% did not understand it too much because this was still relatively new to them. An interesting thing that was said by the participants was that they came to understand that involving women in village discussions is very important so that every party feels involved and becomes part of the village community.
