Gender exclusion in Indonesia’s community-based forest management extension program

Abstract

This study investigates the gender dimensions of Indonesia’s Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) extension program. It employs a mixed-method approach to examine women’s participation and benefits, highlighting gender biases in the extension. The findings reveal significant social capital within the CBFM group, while also identifying persistent gender exclusion in the extension process. Limited female participation in planning and evaluation, along with moderate scores in implementation and perceived benefits, indicate a neglect of women forest farmers in the extension intervention. Prioritizing women’s inclusion and empowerment, particularly through recognizing and involving them in the innovation process, proves to be as effective, if not more, than solely targeting men. While specific to this program and area, these findings inform future interventions addressing gender exclusion in community forest extension. Emphasizing gender-transformative approaches is crucial for meaningful innovation and the adoption of extension services.

Keywords:

• Gender exclusion
• community-based forest management
• social capital
• participation
• program extension

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants of the study for their time and invaluable insights, as well as all individuals who assisted in data collection during the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was undertaken as part of, and funded by, the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brwijaya, Indonesia. The contents are the authors’ responsibilities and do not reflect the views of the funding agency.

Notes on contributors

Yayuk Yuliati

Yayuk Yuliati is a Professor at the University of Brawijaya, specializing in the field of Agricultural Sociology, with a particular emphasis on Gender and Development. Her research focuses on understanding the role of gender dynamics and equality in agricultural practices and rural development.

Edi Dwi Cahyono

Edi Dwi Cahyono an Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension and Communication at the University of Brawijaya, focuses his recent research on studying farmer and stakeholders’ behaviors with a strong emphasis on sustainability. He also explores techno-social innovations and investigates various transformation methods.

Rizky Maulana

Rizky Maulana has recently completed a Master’s degree program in Sociology at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya. His research includes studying gender and social capital.

Arissaryadin

Arissaryadin who recently completed a doctoral program at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya, is currently working at the Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering of Bima, Indonesia. His recent research focused on studying the factors that drive extension workers’ motivation and developing self-efficacy instruments for farmers.