Page 123 - CONFERENCE BOOK OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER, CULTURE AND SOCIETY (ICGCS) 2021

CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ICGCS 2021

ABSTRACT BOOK

Gender Disaster and Pandemy

Survival Strategies of "Baro Scavenger" Women During

the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sawahlunto

Sri Setyawati, William E. Maxey, Noviy Hasanah,

Rizka Gumilang

Universitas Andalas

This article describes the survival strategies of the “Pemulung Baro” (“Coal Scavenger”) women during

the Covid-19 pandemic in the city of Sawahluto. In addition, the article analyzes the effects of the

Covid-19 pandemic on the households of “Coal Scavenger” women. The involvement of women in
mining activities is quite striking. Up until now, mining has been perceived as male-dominated.

However, in the mines of Sawahlunto, women are found scavenging for coal. This scavenging role is
performed primarily by women, who are known as “Mulung Baro.” Due to the reduced workforce for

both men and women in Sawahlunto throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, residents of Sawahlunto

have become increasingly at-risk of falling below the poverty line, especially women. This is
exacerbated by mining company regulations which prohibit women from involvement in mining

activities. These mining companies’ regulations are directly tied to the policies enacted by
Sawahlunto city’s local government prohibiting scavenging and digging for coal outside the mines.

As a result, women are provided few opportunities for mining work, coupled with the effects of the

Covid-19 pandemic on the income of their households.
This article is a gender-based applied anthropological approach which relies on qualitative methods

that are descriptive and holistic. This article is a case study of the “Mulung Baro” women in

Sawahlunto. The data collection techniques employed include: literature review, in-depth
interviews, participant-observation, life stories, and Focus Group Discussion. The data are analyzed

according to qualitative descriptive methods.

The findings shed light on the varied efforts and strategies undertaken by the “Coal Scavenger”
women to sustain the livelihoods of their households. The strategies of the “Coal Scavenger” women

include: a) developing new skills in order to provide secondary sources of income such as:
massaging, baking and selling cakes or snacks, cooking for wedding events as day laborers, b)

decreasing household spending, c) performing jobs usually not undertaken by women, such as

serving as neighborhood security in the nagari (village). In conclusion, “Coal Scavenger” women
undertake various strategies as housewives in order to sustain their households. This includes doing

jobs normally viewed as reserved for men, such as working for neighborhood security. In fact, these
“Coal Scavengers” are accustomed to jobs with inherent risks, leading them to have already

exercised ‘faith’ when faced with any workplace hazards. The main goal of “Pemulung Baro” women

is increasing household income in order to provide for the needs of their children and other family
members during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Strategy, Survival, Covid-19 Pandemic, Pemulung Baro, Household

Income

Short Biography:

Sri Setiawati. Doctor of Anthropology, lecturer at Universitas Andalas’ Undergraduate

and Graduate Programs of Anthropology, Assistant Director of the Doctoral Program of

Development. Board member of Universitas Andalas’ Journal of Anthropology, her
research specialization is on Gender and Development. Works include Menari Dibawah

Pelangi (2019), Antropologi Gender: Seksualitas dan Kebudayaan (2021).
William E. Maxey is A Master’s student in the Department of Anthropology at the

Graduate School of Universitas Andalas, William is completing his master’s thesis on

hegemony and juvenile delinquents. His undergradute work in anthropology was a case

study on Palestinian conceptions of isolation (2013).

Noviy Hasanah is A lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and

Political Sciences, Universitas Andalas. Her research focuses on Education, Health,

Economics and other contemporary issues. The book of her joint research with colleagues

at Universitas Negeri Medan was published in 2020 with the title “Local Wisdom of Gayo

Highlands Coffee Farmers”
Rizka Gumilang is Andalas University Graduate School Anthropology Masters student

Rizqa is currently completing his master's thesis on hegemony in Minangkabau popular

music. Bachelor of Karawitan in music creation composition "Netepin si Jago" at ISI

Padang Panjang (2013).
122

h t t p : / / i c g c s . c o n f e r e n c e . u n a n d . a c . i d /