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CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ICGCS 2021

ABSTRACT BOOK

Gender and Environment

Women and the Future of Mangrove: The Activity and

Social Position of Women in the Mangrove Community in

Riau

Hesti Asriwandari, Rahmita Budiartiningsih, Dessy

Artina, Yusnardi Eka Nizmi, Yesi,

Universitas Riau

This study observed women and the mangrove ecosystem. The mangrove ecosystem is one of Indonesia’s

wealth of natural resources that provides many benefits in life, one of which are ecological benefits in
coastal areas. It can be a barrier to erosion, a restraint for the rate of sea water intrusion, sedimentary

devices, habitat for other creatures, and so forth. In addition, other benefits of the mangrove ecosystem
can be felt in the economic and social fields. The mangrove ecosystem in Riau Province has a very large
role in various aspects of the surrounding environment and is one of the sources of income in Riau

Province. Based on data from the Forestry and Plantation Office of Riau Province in 2016, the total area of
mangrove forest is 138,433.62 hectares.

Bengkalis and Meranti Islands Regencies are strategic areas that are prone towards environmental
pollution and damage from various activities. As such, it is necessary to carry out mitigation efforts, namely
prevention, management, and recovery. Regional Regulation No. 11/2012 on Environmental Pollution and

Destruction Mitigation states that, in an effort to protect the environment, local governments are obliged
to protect coastal areas, beaches, seas, mangroves, lakes, sites, land, hills, water and air quality, as well as

the local wisdom and biodiversity.
Women have potentials in leading environmental preservation efforts. Their participation is very important

in answering various problems and challenges as well as taking advantage of future opportunities.
However, their position tends to be seen as inferior to men. This, in turn, constraints their ability to express

themselves or develop their talents and potentials.
This research used a mixed method approach, where the quantitative approach became the opening data
and served to strengthen the data and information obtained from the qualitative approach. Key

informants are people who knew the research problems in depth, namely women who interacted directly
with mangroves, people who used mangroves either directly or indirectly, relevant local governments, and

also NGOs. Complementary informants are people considered to know the research problem, even though
they were not directly involved in the mangrove community activities. Data are collected through

interview, which is a technique of extracting data and information through deep and personal direct
question-and-answers with informants in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the

phenomenon. After data collection from each research informant, a triangulation method was used with
checks and cross-checks done on the research informants’ response results.
In the observed mangrove communities, which were Kuala Alam Village and Pangkalan Jambi Village in

Bengkalis Regency, and Anak Setatah Village in Meranti Islands Regency, forms of women's participation
and activities were influenced by their knowledge and ability to understand collective interests. The

mangrove community activities include the food and beverage industry, conservation of mangrove forests,
rehabilitation of mangrove areas, and management of mangrove tourism. The participation of women as

subjects in the mangrove community is needed, because women have a central role in maintaining,
preserving, and managing mangrove forests in Indonesia. Women are considered to be able to maintain

and preserve forests, and are expected not to participate in destroying the forest area. They have their own
potential to develop and preserve mangrove forests in their respective villages. Through efforts to
empower women in the management of mangrove areas, it is hoped that there will be cooperation

between the regional government and universities to provide guidance to women so that they have
knowledge in the field of mangrove management.

Keywords: Mangrove, Social Position of Women, Mangrove Community, Riau

Short Biography:
Hesti Asriwandari is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at the

University of Riau. She obtained her master degree from the University of Indonesia and

PhD from the National University of Malaysia. Her main fields of interest include gender

issues, women empowerment and child protection, and community studies.

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