The Women’s Collective Leadership Strengthening activity, held on January 30 and 31, 2026, in Teluk Batang Kota Village, became a learning space as well as a meaningful storytelling space for the participants. In this activity, women from the Teluk Batang Srikandi Group and the Karya Tani Group not only learned about cooperation and joint decision-making but also voiced the problems they experience in their daily lives.
The atmosphere became open when participants were asked to write down their disappointments regarding the conditions occurring in the village. Several participants expressed concerns about development in Penebang that has left mountains and forests bare. Some participants shared their worries about the increasing deforestation. For them, the forest is not just about trees but also about water sources and the support system of nature.
Fitria, a member of the Teluk Batang Srikandi Group, stated that the current condition is that the forest no longer has many trees due to ongoing logging.
“Now the forest has been heavily logged. When there is heavy rain, the water quickly runs down and becomes murky,” she added.
Furthermore, the issue of clean water is a topic whose impact is deeply felt. Because the village is located near the sea, the available water sources tend to be salty. During the dry season, this condition becomes even more pronounced as residents find it increasingly difficult to obtain suitable water for daily needs. The available water cannot always be used for drinking and cooking.
According to one participant, Dewi from the Karya Tani Group, expressed the hope for borewell facilities or other solutions that could provide fresh or potable water.
“When it’s the dry season, the water becomes saltier and it’s hard to find good water. Even for bathing and cooking, we have to buy water which is not cheap,” she added.
Through this discussion, these women began to realize that environmental and clean water problems are not merely personal complaints but can become issues to fight for collectively in village forums. This activity nurtured the courage to speak up and encouraged women’s involvement in protecting the environment and fighting for the community’s basic needs for a better future for Teluk Batang Kota Village.
Author: Dmitri G. I., Gemawan activist