“Leadership and community organizing are deeply intertwined with gender issues.
Women in Sadaniang need to understand the concept of gender in order to strengthen their roles—both in their families and within their communities.”
Revitalizing Indigenous Women’s Leadership
In the Sadaniang Subdistrict of Mempawah Regency, indigenous women are taking meaningful steps to strengthen their independence and leadership capacities.
From 19–20 November 2024, the Gemawan Association, in collaboration with the Dayakology Institute, held a Training on Indigenous Women’s Organizing at the Sadaniang Subdistrict Office Hall, involving participants from six villages: Sekabuk, Pentek, Ansiap, Amawang, Bumbun, and Suak Barangan.
The training provided a space for indigenous women to learn, share, and build self-reliant communities.
According to Ageng, a community organizer from Gemawan, the program was designed to strengthen indigenous women’s roles in natural resource management rooted in ancestral wisdom.
“Our hope is that each women’s group in these six villages can organize their communities independently.
This is closely related to preserving ancestral traditions linked to environmental stewardship,”
Ageng explained.
She emphasized that indigenous communities maintain a deep spiritual and ecological connection with nature—especially forests, which they view as sources of life.
“For them, forests are not merely places to live, but spaces that provide food, water, and other necessities.
These values must be preserved so they are not lost,”
she added.
Reviving Traditions at Risk of Disappearing
The training also served as a platform to revisit traditional practices that are slowly fading.
In Suak Barangan Village, for instance, people still perform seven ritual stages before starting cultivation, including allowing the land to “rest” after harvest.
Ageng noted that such practices reflect local wisdom and ecological balance, integral to sustainable living.
“This training is also an effort to restore the essence of indigenous life.
Traditions that may have been forgotten need to be revived and passed down to future generations,”
she said.
Integrating Leadership and Gender Perspectives
According to Erniliana, an activist from the Dayakology Institute, the training combined indigenous leadership development with gender awareness education.
Participants explored how leadership and organizing are linked to gender equity in both domestic and community spheres.
“Leadership and organizing are inseparable from gender issues.
Women in Sadaniang must understand gender concepts to strengthen their roles within their families and communities,”
Erniliana emphasized.
The training culminated in the formation of a subdistrict-level women’s organization, serving as a communication and capacity-building hub.
This forum aims to connect women leaders across villages, enabling them to share experiences, build networks, and foster solidarity.
Young Women as the Key to Continuity
The training also prioritized young indigenous women, recognizing them as key agents for cultural regeneration and community sustainability.
Emi, one of the facilitators, highlighted the strategic role women play in both public and private spheres.
“Women are the backbone of families.
Educated mothers will nurture an educated generation,”
she stated.
Emi expressed hope that young women in Sadaniang will take active roles in village governance, local organizations, and family economies, ensuring that traditional values evolve with time rather than fade away.
Building the Future Through Tradition
Through this program, Gemawan and the Dayakology Institute aim to reinforce the role of indigenous women as cultural guardians, environmental stewards, and community leaders.
By enhancing their knowledge and self-reliance, women in Sadaniang are expected to safeguard their environment, advocate for indigenous rights, and strengthen family welfare.
“The key message from this training is simple:
return to your communities with new insights, share what you’ve learned, and protect your traditions together.
This is how we ensure the sustainability of indigenous life in the future,”
Emi concluded.
Writer: Izar
Editor: Mohammad R., Gemawan Activist