Women, Climate Change, and How They Can Take Action Before Disaster Strikes
The impact of climate change is increasingly being felt by the community. Droughts and increasingly extreme rainfall are causing weather and climate-related disasters to become more frequent and severe. This certainly affects various social aspects, ranging from the economy, health, natural resources and human resources, especially among at-risk groups.
In 2024, Indonesia's population reached 280.73 million, consisting of 49.53% women, 11.1% aged over 60, and 31.6% children. This group is most at risk from the impacts of climate change due to limited access to information and resources, especially in rural and disaster-prone areas. Unfortunately, despite the increasing frequency of climate change-related disasters, many of these events can actually be anticipated through early warning systems. In Indonesia, government agencies such as the BMKG and BNPB have issued early warning systems, but at-risk groups still have difficulty accessing this information.
In order to increase the capacity and ability of communities to reduce the impact of climate change, anticipatory measures are encouraged before disasters occur. This initiative is known as anticipatory action or, in Indonesian legislation, as Early Warning Response Action (AMPD). Women, as one of the most affected groups, have an important role to play in participating in community-based early warning monitoring and determining efforts to reduce disaster risk and impact.
The YAKKUM Emergency Unit, in collaboration with its partners, organised a five-day training course on climate action and adaptation in Ambon and Sikka entitled "Climate Action and Adaptation to Build Women-Led Resilience". nbsp;The training was held in two locations, namely Negeri Hative Kecil, Ambon City, Maluku Province and Hoder Village, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
The objective of this training is to strengthen the capacity of local communities, particularly women in villages, by improving mutual understanding of anticipatory measures, sharing knowledge and mapping the actors involved in implementing these measures, and developing anticipatory action plans based on women's perspectives and experiences. In addition to training, this activity also includes vulnerability and capacity assessments conducted by the community.
Training in Ambon
The training in Ambon was organised by the Walang Perempuan Foundation (YWP), a local institution in Maluku that focuses on issues of empowerment and protection for women. The event took place from 3 to 7 December 2024 and involved various elements of society from Negeri Hative Kecil, Ambon City, with the main focus of the training being flood threats. Participants included representatives from the Negeri Government (the name for traditional villages in Maluku), disaster preparedness community groups, local youth and church youth, as well as elders. The event was opened by Fahmi Sallatalohy, Executive Head of the Ambon City Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), who presented the disaster risk profile of Ambon City, especially in the coastal area of Ambon Bay, which is highly vulnerable to flooding. On the third day, Merson Panggua, a Weather Forecaster from the Maluku Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), provided an in-depth understanding of the climate and weather conditions in Maluku and the importance of understanding early warnings from the BMKG. In addition, YWP also facilitated a group of women on issues of gender transformation and community-based early warning systems.
Training in Sikka
After conducting training in Ambon, YEU's local partner in Sikka, the Flores Children Development Foundation (FREN), held a similar training for women weavers and farmers in Hoder Village, Waigete District, Sikka Regency, NTT. The five-day training was held from 10 to 14 December 2024. In addition to the weavers and farmers, the training in Sikka was also attended by the Sikka Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB), the Waigete Sub-district Agricultural Field Assistant, the Waigete Sub-district Assistant, representatives of the Hoder Village government, and BMKG Sikka as observers. The training was officially opened by the Acting Head of the Sikka Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Johanes BC Putu Botha, who also presented drought risk mitigation strategies in Sikka Regency. Additionally, the Head of the Sikka Regency BMKG, Ota Welly Jenni Thalo, served as a resource person to strengthen participants' understanding of early warning systems.
A Start to Realising Women's Leadership
In this training, rural women were introduced to the three main pillars of anticipatory action, namely: 1) understanding risks and early warnings, 2) early action, and 3) planned funding. The training method was designed to be interactive through group discussions and sharing of women's experiences in facing threats. This training not only equipped women with new skills, but also strengthened their role as drivers of community resilience in facing disaster threats.
The perspective and voice of women in the public sphere, especially on disaster issues, are still far from ideal. However, with the support of all parties, women are now beginning to be involved in community discussions, including in disaster risk reduction efforts, bringing new hope. This progress contributes to the creation of a dignified and inclusive disaster-resilient society.
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Author: Sita Pratitha – Information and Communications Officer