Supporting Gender Equality in Indonesia’s Fisheries, MDPI Participates in LAKSMI TALKS #6

by: Zaki Tristi

MDPI participated in LAKSMI TALKS #6, a virtual event held on Thursday (29/08), focusing on “Gender Equality and Women Entrepreneurs in Indonesia’s Fisheries Sector.” This discussion forum brought together various stakeholders to share experiences and strategies for advancing women’s roles in the fisheries industry.

Nilam Ratnawati, MDPI’s Fisheries Community Organization Lead, was one of the keynote speakers. In her session, Nilam highlighted MDPI’s initiatives to empower women in coastal communities through economic independence programs and financial literacy training.

Nilam Ratnawati at LAKSMI TALKS #6 (Thursday, 29 August, 2024)Nilam emphasized that while MDPI does not have specific programs solely focused on gender issues, gender equality has been integrated into various ongoing initiatives. “We do not break down barriers; we infiltrate,” Nilam explained, describing MDPI’s approach to embedding gender equality principles into the implementation of programs in coastal communities.

Read also: Women and the transformation of fisheries management and coastal economic development

MDPI actively involves women in numerous capacity-building programs, such as financial literacy training, sustainable fisheries training, and business development. “MDPI strives to activate women’s roles, providing them with opportunities to participate in decision-making and offering full support after training sessions conclude,” Nilam added.

One concrete example is the formation of organizations, groups, or cooperatives that fully involve women. Participants are trained in public speaking, financial management, and decision-making progress for program implementation, all with the goal of boosting their confidence and capacity. Once their confidence grows, these women are encouraged to participate in broader forums.

Nilam also underscored the importance of women’s roles in the tuna fisheries sector, which extend beyond fishing. She stressed that women play critical roles in the entire tuna fishing process, such as managing finances, preparing logistics for fishing trips, helping with logbook entries, and managing tuna fisher cooperatives. “This division of roles is crucial in the tuna fisheries sector,” she affirmed.

Read also: Si Kompas Nelayan: Empowering Fishing Households to Achieve Long-term Financial Goals

MDPI’s financial literacy program serves as an entry point for introducing gender equality to communities. Through this program, MDPI teaches better financial management tailored to the cultural context and social background of each region. Additionally, these training sessions involve both women and men in organizing, building businesses, and managing finances.

The event also featured Moudy Cynthia from USAID Ber-IKAN and Ririn Sefsani from Eco Fishing Port NIRAS-AFD. MDPI’s participation in LAKSMI TALKS #6 reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting gender equality in Indonesia’s fisheries sector by creating space and opportunities for women to play more active and significant roles in coastal communities.