Roles and voices of farmers in the “special purpose” forest area in Indonesia: Strengthening gender responsive policy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using the Harvard Analytical Framework (HAF), we analyze the role of farmers (male and female) in the Special Purpose Forest Area of Parungpanjang, Indonesia. Primary data for this study were collected through interviews and focus group discussions with male and female farmers at the research site in September 2019. This shows that female farmers participate in all dimensions of productive, reproductive, and socio-political activities, including aspects of control, while male farmers tend to limit their participation only to productive and socio-political activities. It confirms the findings of earlier research that there is no significant gender difference between the roles of female and male farmers in terms of natural resource management and control in Southeast Asia. However, one problem remains: the Special Purpose Forest Area of Parungpanjang has not given official registration rights to female farmers. By presenting their voices, we suggest the need for the strengthening of gender-responsive policies such as granting registration rights to female farmers to access and use land and conduct gender awareness programs among male farmers.