HomeAbstract of 8th-womensconfCommunity-Based Mangrove Management in Wondama Bay, Papua, Indonesia: The Absent Voice of Women in Decision-Making

Community-Based Mangrove Management in Wondama Bay, Papua, Indonesia: The Absent Voice of Women in Decision-Making

  • Mar 26, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 8th Global Conference on Women's Studies

Year: 2026

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Community-Based Mangrove Management in Wondama Bay, Papua, Indonesia: The Absent Voice of Women in Decision-Making

Nurhani Widiastuti, Manuel Boissière, Edmond Dounias

ABSTRACT:

Gender equity is often missing in mangrove conservation and management, particularly in patriarchal systems, even in community-based mangrove management (CBMM) initiatives. In this presentation, the reasons why women must be involved in mangrove forest management and how they can participate in decision-making are examined. The research was conducted from December 2024 to September 2025 in three villages in Wondama Bay, Papua, Indonesia. The data collection method entailed semi-structured interviews with 186 men and women, focus group discussions with specific stakeholders, and direct observations. Results show the absolute need for women to be more involved in mangrove management because of their ancestral ties to the landscape. The essential rationale is that mangrove forests are their food landscape, which provides food and income to support family needs. Generally, women can articulate their concerns about mangrove forest management directly in the community meeting. However, most respondents believe that women feel embarrassed to speak up and cannot join the meeting due to domestic chores. This study indicates that women hold a special position and knowledge within the indigenous community regarding mangrove forests, but some barriers hinder them from being involved in decision-making. External parties seeking to support the commitment of indigenous people in mangrove conservation through CBMM must understand this condition to advance the gender continuum level from blind/neutral gender to responsive/transformative gender in mangrove management.

Keywords: Decision-Making; Food Landscape, Gender Equity; Mangrove Management; Women’s Rationality