Mainstreaming gender role in oil palm villages in achieving SDGs

Abstract

The expansion of oil palm development in Indonesia changes the role of women in livelihood security, including their role as members of civil society. Some issues that continued to arise are related to the participation of women in oil palm and the overall need for more women in SDGs achievement. Significantly, palm oils play a significant role in achieving these SDGs, though the exact contribution that palm oils have to the SDGs remains unclear. Gender disparities in the labor market are mainly attributable to deeply entrenched stereotypes that restrain women from caregiving and men from breadwinning. Understanding the need to address the social norm, this paper aims to benchmark (i) the inclusivity of the role of women and asset ownership, (ii) achievement in some SDGs targets, and (iii) women's participation in development Issues. The analysis is based on literature studies and field information from 2 villages in West Kalimantan. The study results show that the mixture of conventional and progressive values among women is quite significant. It was found that equal opportunity between men and women is in place within both villages, especially in terms of education, wages, and job distribution, even though some small numbers of women still face inequality to some degree. Unfortunately, women's involvement in various crucial platforms is still considerably low, such as conflict management and resolution in more extensive settings. Women have more decision-making power in the household than in workplaces or village governance. Regarding child labor, human rights violations, and environmental damages, the vast majority said those things never happened.