Women in East Kalimantan Green Growth Development

East Kalimantan Province has committed to integrating the concept of Gender in the development process as a form of embodiment of the Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) policy in green growth development. "This Gender Parade is an appreciation, motivation for women's empowerment activists, and an illustration of the form of partnership and collaboration of parties in all development sectors," said the Regional Secretary of East Kalimantan, Dra. Sri Wahyuni, M.P.P., in her remarks at the "Gender Parade East Kalimantan 2022, East Kalimantan Sovereignity," was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The Deputy also attended this activity for Gender Equality at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Lenny N. Rosalin, S.E., M.Sc ., M. Fin.

The activity was held in collaboration with the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) and the East Kalimantan Population, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service, with the support of Mulawarman University, Samarinda Agricultural Polytechnic, USAID Segar; UNDP - Kalfor Project; and GIZ consists of two main agendas. Namely the 2022 East Kalimantan Gender Parade and a webinar with the theme "The Role of Women in Green Growth Development."

The 2022 Kaltim Gender Parade featured 20 gender champions (18 women, two men) from East Kalimantan who took part and played an essential role in five development sectors. The five sectors are the environment and natural resources; Developing a gender mainstream study center; vulnerable groups in development; politics and sports; and millennials. The Gender Parade is a place to publish and promote East Kalimantan women's promoters, activists, and leaders who deserve to be called Gender Champions in the five lines of development.

This series of activities were part of implementing East Kalimantan Gender Mainstream, combined with YKAN's #WomeForNature campaign program. The ability of women to carry out their duties and responsibilities, both in the domestic and public areas, is no longer in doubt. "However, joint support is needed so that what women have done as development actors and pioneers can inspire," said Secretary of the East Kalimantan PUG Working Group Noryani Sorayalita, S.E, M.M.T.

She added, "We also ensure that PUG is part of the achievement of fair, sustainable development or also called green growht development." This development aims to provide access and participation opportunities for women and men to be involved, get benefits, and exercise control over development outcomes.

Green growth development and gender mainstreaming

In 2010, the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan launched the Kaltim Hijau program, making it the first province in Indonesia to commit to low emission development. The Kaltim Hijau program encourages efforts to reduce emissions, mainly from deforestation and forest degradation, increase the environmental index, and increase economic growth with sustainable principles.

Together with partners, the provincial government has encouraged the strengthening of gender issues as a cross-sectoral issue in the embodiment of green growht development by issuing commitments, policies, and PUG institutions at the provincial and district city levels. "We are working hard to overcome gender inequality in East Kalimantan," said Noryani.

For the record, in 2021, the Gender Development Index (IPG) and Gender Empowerment Index (IDG) of East Kalimantan are in the third lowest position in Indonesia or ranked 32nd out of 34 provinces after Papua and West Papua. The IPG is used to measure attainment on the exact dimensions and variables as the Human Development Index but reveals inequities in the achievements of men and women. The IDG shows when women can play an active role in economic and political life.

The government has also mandated the involvement of women in development planning through East Kalimantan Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2016 concerning Gender Mainstream in Development. The regulation requires local governments to formulate gender-responsive development policies, programs, and activities outlined in regional development planning cycle documents, including Regional Medium-Term Development Plans, Strategic Plans, Work Plans, Budget Work Plans, and Budget Execution Documents.

"Women are agents of change for families and communities. Their role in society greatly influences behavioral changes that can potentially help mitigate and adapt to climate change. The involvement of women is not only in the implementation process but also in natural resource management planning and green growth development," added YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto, Ph.D.

During an increasingly pressing time to make innovative and strategic actions to reduce the impact of climate change, the activity of the "Gender Parade of East Kalimantan 2022, East Kalimantan Sovereignity" is also a new reflection of the steps of Kartini today. Kartini's enthusiasm and optimism never fades rather exudes energy for women's empowerment efforts in fighting for their rights. Through coordination and collaboration of various sectors, women's participation can strengthen green growth development in East Kalimantan.