The issuance of Social Forestry Decree for 9 KTH/Gapoktan in 9 intervention villages of the Adaptation Fund (AF) Program in December 2021, provides greater opportunities for group members to be able to manage forest areas legally and safely, including members of women’s groups.This women’s group is located in the Saddang Watershed, South Sulawesi Province.
The Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 09 of 2021, which changes the nomenclature of the PS permit holder requirement to be the head of the family, which means men, to be open to anyone who lives in the area around the forest, makes women, especially family heads who have been managing the forest for generations, benefit.
There are 155 women who are members of groups as recipients of the PS Decree from 9 groups that have been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). These women members are active members who are also administrators of the Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) industry group.
The presence of women in the PS group immediately has a significant impact on group activities. First, they often attend routine meetings held every 1-2x a month and color the discussions, although they do not often express their opinions.
Secondly, 80% of the women who are members of the group are also the driving force in the construction of the seedling house and filling the porang plant seeds in polybags. They will also do post-harvest processing and marketing.
Mrs. Marlina from Sesesalu Village said that her existence as a member of the Sangkutu Banne group has changed the existing relationship pattern. Previously, she said that women only worked in the kitchen. But now she and other women can be more active in activities that have an impact on the economic side.
The involvement of women in the management of KUPS also has an impact on increasing production, because the trainings provided through the program for members are able to improve their skills. Previously, the quality of coffee produced was not according to the market, but after joining KUPS in groups with the new knowledge they have, they are able to produce quality coffee that meets market standards. This also opens up opportunities to build a coffee market network.
Through the Watershed Ecosystem Adaptation Program (DAS) Based on Forest Food Management, KEMITRAAN together with the Consortium for Climate Change and Environmental Adaptation (Kapabel), women in the 9 villages assisted by the program now have a significant role in the family economic chain. Not only that, they also have certainty of forest management rights without the fear of being criminalized, and more alternative livelihood options. The existence of women who are PS permit holders also strengthens group activities, so it is hoped that the economic chain that was previously controlled by men will slowly shift to joint management.
