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Voices of Indigenous Papuan Women: The Land is 'Mother', Fighting to Protect the Forest
Indigenous women in Papua are raising their voices against deforestation and land expropriation, viewing the land and forest as 'mother' and advocating for its inheritance to future generations. They highlight how the marginalization of indigenous voices in development threatens their food security, traditional knowledge, culture, and livelihoods.
For indigenous women in Papua, the forest is more than just a collection of trees or a source of commodities. It holds their food, medicinal plants, local knowledge, cultural identity, and the future of their children. When the forest disappears, all these life supports are threatened. This message was conveyed at the PAPEDA Summit 2026 in Sorong City, Southwest Papua. This forum brought together government, indigenous communities, civil society organizations, academics, the private sector, research institutions, development partners, and the youth to discuss sustainable development in Papua. Barbalina Osok, Chairperson of Kwongke Kaban Salukh Moi of Southwest Papua, brought forth the issues that the Moi community has long faced. Since the early 1990s, forestry concessions have been operating in their customary territories. Parts of these areas have since been converted into oil palm plantations. According to Barbalina, the forest, which has been their source of livelihood and ancestral living space, continues to be depleted without clear reciprocal benefits for the customary land rights holders. These permits are expected to continue until around 2032–2033. The issue is not just about investment or economic profit, but also the minimal involvement of indigenous communities in determining the use of their land and natural resources. Indigenous women's activist Marlince Siep warned that the loss of forests and access to customary territories directly impacts women and children. Women play a crucial role in providing food and passing down local knowledge across generations. "The land is Mother. To the government and stakeholders, please let this remaining healthy forest and environment be inherited by the indigenous Papuan women of the Orang Asli Papua," said Marlince. She also urged that the development of Papua should not be formulated solely from the central government's perspective, but that the voices of indigenous communities should serve as a foundation, so that land, people, culture, and the environment can be sustained for future generations.
Original source
Mongabay Indonesia