The Lives of Women Forest Farmers and The Impact on Sustainable Forest Management: Empirical Evidence in the Rural Slopes of Mount Kendeng

¹ Master of Development Extension, Postgraduate Program, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
² Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Faculty of Agriculture, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
³ Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
⁴ Center for Farmer Protection and Empowerment Studies, Institute for Research and Community Service, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
⁵ Department of Sociology Education Anthropology, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: ismidwiastuti@staff.uns.ac.id

Abstract

In rural areas, forests show that women’s role in forest management exists and is accurate. However, there are often doubts about the role of women in forest management, which impacts the gender gap. This study examines the phenomenon in the North Kendeng Mountain Area, Central Java Province, which captures the lives of rural women in forest management. Poverty is still very much attached to forest areas. The low economy makes women willing to work in any condition to meet the economic needs of their families. The study results are presented as case studies between regions with ecofeminism problems and areas with agrarian issues due to mining. This study aims to analyze the time division of women forest farmers and the role of rural women in sustainable forest management. Data collection was conducted through documentation, participatory observation, and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using gender analysis with a qualitative approach of comparative case studies. The results showed that women’s time in forest management is higher, influenced by several factors, and women’s influential roles in economic, social, and ecological factors. Therefore, it is crucial to pay special attention to the struggles of rural women in managing forests and ensuring they have equal access and opportunities.