Surviving the Edges: Multidimensional Poverty among Indigenous Women Community in Remote Rural Areas in Indonesia

Abstract

Sustainable development should promote equality benefits for Indigenous people communities. This study examines the chronic multidimensional poverty experienced by the indigenous women of Dayak Benawan in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This paper employs an ethnographic methodology, utilizing in-depth interviews and participatory observation to explore the multidimensional nature of poverty within the Benawan Dayak community. Data collection involves direct engagement with Dayak Benawan women, community members, and indigenous leaders (Pesirah Dayak Benawan) to capture diverse perspectives and lived experiences. The fieldwork period spanned from January 2020 to July 2022. A thematic analysis is conducted to identify key dimensions of Dayak Benawan women’s experience of poverty, including their access to sustainable livelihoods, education, healthcare services, and land ownership. This aligns with Sen’s theory on poverty among women, which argues that female poverty emerges and worsens due to gender inequality. The classifications of this inequality include gender-based mortality rates, access to basic facilities, ownership rights, employment opportunities, and education. The findings of this study reveal that poverty among Dayak Benawan women is not merely an economic issue but is deeply rooted in a complex interplay of social, cultural, and environmental factors. Key contributing dimensions include limited access to education, healthcare, land ownership, and sustainable livelihoods, exacerbated by geographic isolation and sociopolitical marginalization. This research advocates for targeted policies to promote social equity for Indigenous communities in Indonesia, including guarantees for healthcare, education, and the sustainability of livelihoods within their ancestral lands.